SEOUL (June 2, 2023) -- As many as seven Ministry of Social Affairs officials had the opportunity to gain experience in social services in South Korea.  In this ginseng country, systems and facilities have been built to support the development of human resources for social workers.

During an observation visit to the office of the Korean Association of Social Workers or the Institute for Social Worker Associations, the Indonesian delegation received an explanation of how the HR capacity-building system for social workers works.  In Korea, there are 1.4 million accredited social workers.

“Every year around 80 thousand people take the competency test.  The existence of Social Workers in Korea is quite good and well-known by the public.  Social workers are needed to help deal with social problems," said Shin Young Joo, chairman of the Association of Social Workers.

This visit was part of a series of capacity-building programs for social workers from Indonesia in South Korea, at the invitation of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), with the theme "Enhancing Social Rehabilitation Support for the Vulnerable Youth in Indonesia".  This program is facilitated by several Korean international training institutions, such as World Vision Korea, Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS), and Rebach International.

This program was attended by seven officers from the Ministry of Social Affairs and eight officers from the DKI Jakarta Social Office.  The observation agenda is the final session of the visit to Korea.  Officers from Indonesia will prepare an action paper (framework) that will be implemented in the country.

On the fourth day (25/04), apart from meeting with the ranks of the Association of Social Workers, the Indonesian delegation also made observations at the Gyeonggido Job Foundation -- a kind of job training institution.  Such institutions are spread across all provinces in South Korea.

The function of this institution is to expand opportunities for youth to take part in self-development training.  Head of the Southern Section of the Gyeonggido Job Foundation, I Cin Hye, stated that this institution has many facilities, apart from skills rooms, as well as small business exhibitions as a space for creativity and self-development.

"We also have a special room for the marketing process using a digital approach, youth can use this room to create marketing content for their products equipped with adequate tools," said I Cin Hye.

This institution has also sent youths to several countries such as America, Australia, China, and others to attend college training that has related training.  After that, mentorship and job search support will be provided, such as assistance with preparing for job interviews, for example, to help job seekers buy the clothes they need, for transportation costs, or open their businesses.

The next day (28/05), the Delegates were introduced to some history from Korea.  The use of traditional Hanbok clothes, the history of the kingdom, and an introduction to society in Korea.

Monday (29/05), the entire training series was closed by making an action paper by each delegation, as well as a final discussion wrap-up session with Prof.  Hong and all event organizers.  Prof.  Hong, who is also the KOICA Program Manager, also closed the joint activity with Re;bach International CEO, Park Yeong Jun, World Vision Domestic Team Manager, Kim Kwang Mu, and Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS) Manager, Kim Hye Jin.

Head of Social Rehabilitation Sub-Working Group for DKI Jakarta Social Office Dahrul Oktavian expressed his gratitude and emotion.  According to him, while undergoing training in Korea, it was a great opportunity that inspired and greatly supported social welfare programs in Indonesia.