The Iran-Korea Chamber has released its fifth policy report, which examines South Korea's efforts to help youth transition from education to employment. The report, titled 'From Diplomas to Experience: How South Korea is Building a Bridge to the Labor Market for Youth,' pays particular attention to opportunities for exchanging political knowledge, institutional experience, and practical approaches between the two countries.
General Policy Question
The central theme of the study is the general policy question: how can the education and training system better respond to changing employer needs while providing young people with a reliable first opportunity to demonstrate their skills? The report does not present South Korea's approach as a ready-made solution but rather considers what institutional practices could serve as a useful lesson for dialogue and carefully considered experiments in Iran.
Employer-Led Approach in South Korea
An example of an employer-initiated approach is demonstrated by the K-New Deal Academy in South Korea, launched in 2026. According to the Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor, participating large companies develop and manage vocational training and related programs tailored to their industries. The Ministry mentioned initiatives involving Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group, including training related to company expertise and future mobility. These examples show how firms can contribute not only placement opportunities but also practical content, mentorship, and insight into workplace expectations.
The proposed Korean government budget for 2027 includes expanding the K-New Deal Academy to 50,000 participants, with 489.5 billion won allocated to this initiative. It should be noted that this is only a proposal, not a final approved allocation or proof of employment outcomes. The Academy should also be distinguished from individual youth work experience programs and from K-Digital Training, another Korean initiative focused on advanced digital skills.
The report highlights a division of responsibilities worthy of further study: government bodies define policy goals and funding schemes; businesses determine skill needs and assist in developing practical training; and intermediary institutions, including chambers of commerce, can coordinate participation and reduce the cost of connecting youth with employers. This model could be a productive starting point for professional dialogue between Iranian and Korean institutions.
Proposed Pilot for Iran
For Iran, the report suggests considering a small, measurable pilot project, the 'Youth Work Experience Bridge,' which could potentially be coordinated through chambers and industry associations. Such a pilot could bring together employers, educational service providers, and government agencies around short-term controlled projects that meet real business needs. This suggestion is a recommendation from the report, not an existing bilateral program or an announced agreement with Korean partners.
Evidence, Evaluation, and Knowledge Sharing
Knowledge sharing can focus on how Korean programs attract employers, develop project-based training, support participants, ensure quality, and evaluate results. It can also examine measures to prevent interns from being replaced by permanent employees, as well as methods for tracking subsequent employment, wages, and job retention. These are areas where comparative research and practitioner-to-practitioner discussion may be more beneficial than direct replication of budgets or program scale.
The study warns that the success of a training or work experience initiative cannot be judged solely by the number of enrolled participants or participant satisfaction. Evidence of long-term impact on employment and the economic efficiency of the new Korean programs of 2026 remains limited. For this reason, the Chamber's report advocates for evidence-based training, independent evaluation, and adaptation to the labor market conditions and institutional specificities of each country.
By incorporating Korean experience into a structured discussion of the Iranian labor market challenges, the report aims to contribute to the broader agenda of knowledge exchange between Iran and Korea—an agenda that links research with business practice and supports constructive dialogue on human capital development and youth employment.