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【Seoul, South】Free Technical Training, Job Placement, and Entrepreneurship! How to Enroll in ‘Seoul Technical Education Center’?

Jun 13, 2025

Editor’s Note

**Editor’s Note:** This article has been edited for clarity and length. The original was submitted by a citizen reporter.

Citizen Reporter Park Ji-young
Published: 2025.06.13. 09:44
Updated: 2025.06.13. 09:52
Views: 6,171
Likes: 19

Free Technical Training for Seoul Citizens

We develop our lives through work. However, when we actually try, we often find that the job doesn’t suit our aptitude, or we need to fill gaps, or switch to a different field, requiring new career exploration, skills, and work experience. In such cases, any Seoul citizen aged 15 or older can visit and complete a free technical training course at the Seoul Technical Education Center.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government supports lifelong vocational competency development for its citizens. The Seoul Job Portal offers vast information on various occupations for easy browsing. Institutions and programs like the Youth Employment Academy, Seoul Women Up, and Seoul 50 Plus Portal provide counseling and support tailored to age, gender, etc. Additionally, large-scale job fairs and other Seoul-affiliated organizations create opportunities for in-depth career counseling, exploration, and support for employment and entrepreneurship.

Four Campuses Offering Free, Practice-Oriented Training

The Seoul Technical Education Center operates four campuses—Jungbu, Nambu, Bukbu, and Dongbu—providing free, practice-oriented technical education for lifelong vocational competency development of Seoul citizens. Recruitment is conducted online or via in-person applications per campus, with regular recruitment and rolling admissions per course. First-semester students are recruited in January-February, starting in March; second-semester students are recruited in July-August, starting in September. In 2025, the first-semester recruitment plan included 80 departments across four campuses, totaling 2,106 students, with an additional 500 online course slots.
Once you pass the document screening and interview, you can receive free education from the Seoul Technical Education Center, including tuition, textbooks, practice materials, and certification exam fees. Job placement support is also available. Daytime classes even offer free lunch, making the benefits substantial. Many have already passed through here to forge new career paths.
Training programs vary in duration—short-term, online, daytime, and evening—with regular courses lasting 5 or 10 months. The curriculum is designed so that even those without prior skills can master a specific technique before graduating.

Where Precision Meets Digital Technology: The ‘Jewelry 3D Printing’ Department

I myself have always been interested in new jobs and careers for a career change or post-retirement life. However, it’s difficult to give up my current livelihood to participate in long-term technical training. So, I visited the Jewelry 3D Printing Department at the Jungbu Campus and met with Professor Yoon Chang-hoon to discuss the curriculum and career paths.
Q. What is the curriculum of the Jewelry 3D Printing Department at the Seoul Technical Education Center’s Jungbu Campus?

A. It’s a 5-month daytime regular course, with classes from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the Seoul Technical Education Center. The main curriculum consists of basic precious metal theory and basic practical skills. In ‘Basic Theory’, students learn about the characteristics of precious metal materials and gemstones through precious metal processing theory and gemstone appraisal theory. In ‘Basic Practice’, they learn the most fundamental metalworking skills like sawing. Detailed subjects include precious metal fabrication (metalworking), gemstone appraisal and identification, jewelry 3D modeling and printing, and production. We also prepare students for relevant certification exams. In the first semester, we focus on the Precious Metal Processing Technician and Gemstone Appraiser exams; in the second semester, we focus on the Gemstone Appraiser exam and various practical skills. Additionally, if students want to create something personal, we teach them how.

Q. I know similar courses exist at other institutions. What are the strengths of the Jewelry 3D Printing Department at the Seoul Technical Education Center?

A. First, we provide free textbooks, practical tools and materials, exam fees, and lunch. Even without any experience in this field, once enrolled, students can experience the basic processes of precious metalworking and gemstone appraisal without worrying about costs. They can experience everything needed to work in the industry immediately after the course. Students can also realize their own designs without restrictions. Since 3D printing materials are relatively expensive, other institutions often limit printing, but we actively provide printing opportunities for practice-oriented education. Crucially, this campus is the official practical exam site for the Precious Metal Processing Technician and Gemstone Appraiser certifications. Our students take the exam in a familiar place with familiar tools—a huge advantage.

Q. The age range of current students is broad, from their 20s to 70s. Leading such a class must be challenging.

A. My educational philosophy is ‘education that embraces all students with different skills and backgrounds and moves forward together.’ Jewelry can be an unfamiliar field for many, and most who choose this course are making a big challenge to create a turning point in their lives. So, I always do my best to ensure no one is left behind and everyone can complete the course together.

Q. With the department’s long history, there must be many memorable students.

A. There are many. One graduate from 2010 took the first CAD class we offered, developed that skill, and now handles all CAD-related work. Another pair of students from 2018 met here, studied together, and got married.

Q. As an institution supporting employment through education, student expectations must be high. What are the employment outcomes for the Jewelry 3D Printing Department?

A. Employment and entrepreneurship are diverse. Employment fields are broadly divided into ‘metalworking’, ‘sales’, and ‘office work’. Metalworking involves processes like finishing cast products, gem setting, and polishing. It’s not about making a complete product alone from start to finish; the process is divided into specialized roles. The employment rate for the Jewelry 3D Printing Department was among the top for the Jungbu Campus’s 5-month daytime regular program in 2023. 2024 statistics are being compiled. Since employment isn’t achieved by will alone, even if it takes time, we strive to connect each student to the most suitable job based on their individual circumstances. We want to help students become independent and grow as healthy members of society based on the skills they learn here.

Q. What are the eligibility requirements for the department?

A. Anyone aged 15 or older as of the recruitment announcement date who is a Seoul citizen registered in Seoul, or a foreigner registered in Seoul with permanent residency, or whose spouse is a Korean national, and their children, is eligible.

Q. Any final words for prospective students or those considering enrollment?

A. This is an open space for those seeking employment or entrepreneurship. I hope many will come and take advantage of the educational benefits. Many people hesitate and don’t take the challenge even if they have the desire. But by challenging yourself to something new, you can feel a sense of achievement, acquire the skills you want, and create a new opportunity—whether for a job or starting a business. So, have courage and knock on the door of the Jewelry 3D Printing Department.

Seoul Technical Education Center
– Website: [Seoul Technical Education Center](http://www.seoultech.ac.kr)
– Campus Information:
– Jungbu Campus: 136 Hannam-daero, Yongsan-gu, Seoul (02-361-5800) [Link](http://www.seoultech.ac.kr/jungbu)
– Nambu Campus: 589 Gosan-ro, Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do (031-390-3920) [Link](http://www.seoultech.ac.kr/nambu)
– Dongbu Campus: 183 Godeok-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul (02-440-5500) [Link](http://www.seoultech.ac.kr/dongbu)
– Bukbu Campus: 81 Deongneung-ro 70-gil, Nowon-gu, Seoul (02-2092-4700) [Link](http://www.seoultech.ac.kr/bukbu)
– Jewelry 3D Printing Department SNS: [Jungbu Technical Education Center Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/jungbutedu/), [Yoon Chang-hoon YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@yoonchanghoon), [Jungbu Technical Education Center Website](http://www.seoultech.ac.kr/jungbu)

This article was written by a citizen reporter. The Seoul Metropolitan Government provides free technical training for lifelong vocational development. For more information, visit the Seoul Technical Education Center website.

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⏰ Published on: June 13, 2025