Translation result [Content][Herald Economy=Reporter Lee Tae-hyung] South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on May 10 that it will hold the “2027 New Senior Job Development Idea Contest” from May 11 through June 10.
Open to national administrative agencies, local governments, public institutions, and organizations that operate senior employment programs, the contest solicits proposals for new senior job roles that leverage older adults’ skills or for new senior-led public-benefit activities.
Under the skills-utilization job category, seniors placed with requesting employers would perform senior-appropriate duties for up to 60 hours per month (no more than 15 hours per week) across a 10-month span. Typical roles include operational support at childcare, education, and residential facilities; assistance at facilities for older adults and people with disabilities; and support for the operation of local government and community institutions.
In the public-benefit activity category, seniors would volunteer up to 30 hours per month (no more than 3 hours per day), averaging 11 months per year, at sites or for clients who request the service. Activities may include senior-on-senior care, support for vulnerable populations, volunteering at public facilities, and skills-transfer programs.
The contest will select 12 outstanding ideas that are well suited to seniors, have strong potential for expansion and sustainability, and offer significant social value.
A panel of experts and plagiarism checks will determine the 12 winners, including the top prize—the Minister of Health and Welfare’s Award (₩2,000,000, about $1,500). Winners will be announced in July.
Local governments may adopt winning entries as 2027 pilot senior-employment projects and implement them creatively to reflect regional characteristics. Successful pilots will be standardized and then scaled nationwide the following year.
The contest has been held since 2022 and has produced projects across fields such as safety management, health management, environmental conservation, care services, and public convenience.
Organizations interested in participating can find application details on the Ministry’s website and on the Korea Senior Employment Agency’s website; submissions are accepted by email.
Im Eum-gi, the ministry’s director of senior policy, said, “This contest is a valuable opportunity to identify high-quality senior jobs in areas communities need, including safety, health, care, and the environment.”
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