The school-to-work transition among college graduates in South Korea

Abstract

<p>This chapter examines how the employment conditions for college graduates in South Korea have changed over the last two decades and the significant challenges they face today. It also describes how governmental and institutional policies have been developed to enhance graduates’ employment prospects. The chapter analyses employment statistics and policy documents published by public agencies in Korea to show the current employment status of graduates. The findings show that employment prospects for college graduates in Korea have declined, with prolonged job searches and poorer working conditions. In addition, there are significant discrepancies in employment outcomes between disciplines and types of institutions. Although multiple governmental policies and institutional strategies have been implemented to support graduates’ employment, their effectiveness and efficiency are not what they could be. The chapter also suggests that we must consider long-term social and economic agendas in the future labour market to design and implement employment-related policies.<br></p>