How to Apply for the K-New Deal Academy -- A Company Job Training for Unemployed Ages 15 to 34 With an Allowance of Up to 300,000 or 500,000 Won a Month

The K-New Deal Academy is youth job training that companies build themselves

Government descriptions say that large companies and major regional and industry firms design and run training and adaptation programs in fields young people prefer. Fields include artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, smart factories, digital transformation, finance, bio, cultural content, construction and manufacturing. Training includes mentoring by working professionals, project work, onboarding programs and company visits. However, completing a course is not a promise of being hired by that company. Government materials do not state a job guarantee and describe the program only as support for entering the labor market, so whether a course leads to hiring has to be checked in each notice.

The target is unemployed young people aged 15 to 34

The Ministry of Employment and Labor set the target as unemployed young people aged 15 to 34 and said it gives priority to vulnerable youth who have been out of work for a certain period. Some guides also say youth who are not enrolled in employment insurance, so eligibility can vary if you are employed or have income. If you have a part-time job, it is safer to ask first, using the recruitment notice for the course or the Employment Center (1350). The same applies to students enrolled or on leave from university, because requirements differ by course.

Training runs at least three months and at least 400 hours

Under the government announcement, training is a course of at least three months and at least 400 hours. Daily hours and days per week differ by company: some courses are full-day intensive, and others run within regular working hours. The operating period is announced as June to December this year, so fewer sessions may remain if you look late. Before you apply, check whether the schedule fits your life and, if you live outside the capital area, whether the commute is manageable. If you cannot reach 400 hours you may not be recognized as having completed the course, so find out the absence limit in advance.

The allowance is up to 300,000 or 500,000 won a month and depends on attendance

The Work24 policy page says the training allowance is up to 300,000 won a month in the capital area and up to 500,000 won a month elsewhere, depending on attendance. The word "up to" matters. If attendance falls short, the amount may be reduced or not paid, and some sources cite an attendance rate of 80% or more, but the exact formula should be confirmed in the course guide and Work24. Even 500,000 won a month is at most about 2 million won over four months, so it does not cover living costs in full. There is no official statement on whether it can be combined with other support you already receive, so ask before applying.

You find the course on Work24 and apply on the company's recruitment site

The order is simple. First sign up on Work24 (work24.go.kr) and prepare your resume and job-seeking registration. Next, search for K-New Deal Academy courses, pick one, and you are sent to the linked company recruitment site to submit your application. In other words, it is not a single government portal where everything ends; each company has its own application form and selection process. Screening by documents, interviews or assignments varies by company, so check the notice on whether you can apply to another course if you are turned down by one. Application periods also differ by course, so write the deadlines on your calendar.

Five things to confirm in every course notice

Even under the same program name, conditions differ by course. Before writing your application, find the training schedule and total hours, the training location, the allowance payment criteria, the selection method and the support after completion in the notice and note them down. In particular, whether you pay any tuition and whether equipment or textbooks cost extra are not in the government summaries and can be found only in the course notice. If a course holds an information session, try to attend because it is a chance to ask questions. Save a screenshot of the notice, since it becomes your evidence if a dispute arises later.

A few criteria for choosing among other training support

For an unemployed young person who wants experience in a company's work, this program may fit, but some people are better served by other well-known programs. K-Digital Training, which supports six-month courses, and the National Tomorrow Learning Card, where you choose courses within a limit, differ in application structure and support method. If living costs during training are the problem, you can compare the limit and interest of the training living expense loan, and if you are receiving unemployment benefits, also learn the rules for when the training allowance and unemployment benefits overlap. Either way, whether your target job is clear comes first, and the program comes second.

Summary — what to do today and within this month

Today, sign up for Work24, register your resume and search for "K-New Deal Academy" courses. Choose two or three courses of interest, compare their target, schedule, allowance and selection method, and write applications starting with the earliest deadline. For questions, you can call the Ministry of Employment and Labor counseling center (1350). This post summarizes publicly released government announcements and guidance; the conditions of each course and whether you qualify in your personal situation are finally decided by Work24 and the company notice, and it does not replace legal or labor advice.