The government is expanding job connections between regional mid-sized companies and young job seekers to bolster the development of the 'Five Poles and Three Specialties' growth engine. Through this year's mid-sized company job fair, it is expected that a total of approximately 2,000 employment matches will be achieved in the first and second halves of the year.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the '2026 Mid-sized Company Job Fair' on the 8th at Daejeon Convention Center. The fair saw participation from 66 top mid-sized and potential mid-sized companies in sectors such as semiconductors, displays, biotechnology, and machinery, along with approximately 2,000 job seekers.
This event was organized to connect regional mid-sized companies struggling to secure top talent with young professionals, fostering mutual growth within the region. It also aims to nurture mid-sized companies as central pillars of the local economy, thereby supporting the development of the 'Five Poles and Three Specialties' growth engine.
The mid-sized company job fair has been held 12 times so far, supporting employment for over 9,000 individuals. Annual employment match results are as follows: 993 in 2022, 1,139 in 2023, 2,293 in 2024, and 2,178 in 2025. The government expects approximately 2,000 employment matches to be achieved through the first- and second-half job fairs this year as well.
The government is also strengthening support to reduce labor shortages among regional mid-sized companies and expand youth employment in local areas. Starting this year, the eligibility for the Youth Job Growth Incentive has been expanded from existing SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to include non-capital region mid-sized companies. Additionally, the number of industrial functionaries allocated per mid-sized company has increased from two to five.
In addition, the government plans to continue supporting the recruitment of young master's and doctoral graduates as well as skilled professionals with work experience in mid-sized companies. Through the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Mid-sized Company Core Research Talent Growth Support Project, it will provide subsidies for personnel costs for young master's and doctoral holders and experienced research talents.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to announce the 'Mid-sized Company Growth Ladder 2030' strategy within this year and establish and support a systematic growth foundation for mid-sized companies.
Lee Gyu-bong, Policy Officer for Mid-sized Companies at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, stated, "Although mid-sized companies account for only 1.5% of all enterprises in Korea, they provide high-quality jobs by shouldering 13.9% of total employment." He added, "Especially as key players in the growth engines of each region under the 'Five Poles and Three Specialties' framework, we expect them to continue leading regional economic growth and job creation in the future."
in ECONOMY
