South Korea's AI boom drives demand for semiconductor trade schools

South Korea’s semiconductor exports reached $173bn last year and could double in 2026, driven by surging global demand for artificial intelligence. Samsung and SK Hynix now make up about half of the country’s benchmark stock index, offering annual bonuses averaging $500,000. A growing network of specialised trade schools, including Meister schools, is training students directly for chip factory jobs, with graduate employment rates reaching 96 percent. Enquiries have surged, reflecting shifting career ambitions amid a projected decade-long labour shortage in the sector. Al Jazeera’s Jack Barton reports from Eumseong County, South Korea. Subscribe to our channel: bit.ly
Follow us on X: X.com
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com
Check our website: aljazeera.com
Check out our Instagram page: instagram.com
Download AJE Mobile App: aje.news
#SouthKorea #Semiconductors #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #ChipIndustry #Samsung #SKHynix #AIJobs #SemiconductorJobs #TechJobs #KoreaTech #MemoryChips #AIChip #ChipShortage #FutureOfWork