Gov't expands university-led AI and digital training for working adults
South Korea's Ministry of Education and the National Institute for Lifelong Education announced a major expansion of the university-run "AI and digital intensive course" for employed adults in 2026. The program equips working learners with practical AI and digital skills using university expertise, facilities, and assessment.
In its first year (2025), 30 universities delivered job-focused training across sales, education, finance, architecture, and design and manufacturing, enrolling 11,683 learners. This year, participation is set to grow to roughly 38 universities.
What's changing in 2026
Selected universities will be announced in May after a formal review. For newly selected institutions, learner registration is expected from August to September, once course development is finished.
Participants who complete the program and pass evaluation will receive a digital certificate issued in the name of the university president. The focus remains clear: workplace-ready skills that translate on the job.
Why this matters for education leaders
This is a concrete path to serve adult learners, deepen employer partnerships, and prove impact with verifiable credentials. It also puts continuing education, LINC/AI centers, and department-led offerings at the center of workforce upskilling.
If your institution wants a seat at the table, move now. Capacity, instructors, and employer alignment will decide who delivers value-and who watches from the sidelines.
Action checklist for universities and training teams
- Define priority job families (e.g., sales, finance, design/manufacturing) based on regional employer demand and your faculty strengths.
- Translate job tasks into 6-8 measurable outcomes per course. Build hands-on projects and short assessments to verify skills.
- Plan delivery for working adults: after-hours schedules, hybrid options, and predictable weekly cadence.
- Line up instructors and industry adjuncts. Offer faculty development on AI tools, assessment, and classroom safety.
- Set up evaluation and credential issuance workflows so digital certificates are timely and verifiable.
- Coordinate with employers for cohort nominations, time allowances after work, and recognition of the credential.
- Stand up learner support: onboarding, tech checks, tutoring, and career guidance.
- Prepare marketing and admissions now so you can recruit quickly once selections post in May and enrollment opens in August-September.
- Address AI ethics, data privacy, and academic integrity in every course.
For HR, L&D, and public-sector partners
- Identify roles that will benefit most from AI/digital upskilling and nominate cohorts.
- Offer micro-incentives (time, recognition, small stipends) to improve completion rates.
- Map the university-issued certificate to internal career steps or pay bands.
- Share real datasets and problem briefs to keep projects relevant to your workflows.
Key dates for 2026
- May: Government announces selected universities after screening.
- August-September: Registration window for programs at newly selected universities, following course development.
"We will continue to provide support so that incumbent workers can easily build AI and digital competencies related to their jobs after work," said Vice Education Minister Choi Eun-ok.
Helpful references
- Ministry of Education (Korea)
- National Institute for Lifelong Education (NILE)
- AI for Education - curated resources to help faculty and training teams build relevant AI competencies.
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