Gyeongju’s Vision for 2026: Building a Sustainable Workforce in AI Mobility

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Gyeongju, in North Gyeongsang Province, has formed a partnership with the provincial education office, Silla Technical High School, and local companies and universities to train talent for the future mobility industry.
 
Gyeongju city announced March 13 that officials signed an industry–academia–government agreement on March 12 at Hwangryongwon to launch an \”AI Future Mobility\” partnership-type specialized high school, involving Silla Technical High School, regional firms and universities.
 
The collaboration aims to develop specialists aligned with the auto industry’s rapid transformation and to create a virtuous cycle in which graduates are hired by local companies and remain in the region.
 
About 50 representatives from partner companies — including EcoPlastics Co. and Valeo — attended the signing, alongside Mayor Ju Nak-young, Superintendent Im Jong-sik and Principal Han Bo-seung. Officials from regional universities, including Dongguk University’s WISE Campus and Uiduk University, were also present.
 
The Ministry of Education’s partnership-type specialized high school program encourages local governments, education offices, companies and universities to collaborate to boost vocational high schools’ competitiveness and produce graduates with skills matched to regional industry needs.
 
If selected through the ministry’s competition, a school receives financial support such as special grants and gains expanded autonomy over curriculum planning and overall operations. This year the ministry plans to pick up to 10 schools nationwide; selected schools will receive Ministry of Education special grants totaling KRW 3.5 billion to KRW 4.5 billion over five years (approximately $2,625,000–$3,375,000).
 
Under the agreement, participating organizations will jointly: △ operate customized curricula that reflect local industry demand △ train regional talent through integrated industry–academia programs and provide employment, career-advancement and settlement support △ build a sustainable industry–academia governance △ invest in facilities and resources to improve the educational environment △ and establish a performance-management system.
 
Gyeongju said the partnership will link the city’s auto-parts and mobility sectors with education programs, creating a platform for hands-on, job-focused training in future mobility.
 
Ju Nak-young, mayor of Gyeongju, said, \”This agreement is an important starting point for close cooperation between local industry and education to cultivate AI-based future mobility experts. We will build a virtuous cycle linking education, employment and settlement so young people can pursue careers and put down roots here, and we will develop Gyeongju into a leading city for future mobility.\”