South Korea’s Ministry of SMEs and Startups will expand its youth AI training program, YearDream School, nationwide this year, widening access beyond the Seoul metropolitan area and increasing the number of trainees to 300. The move is aimed at easing talent shortages at startups while improving employment pathways for young people seeking practical AI skills.
The ministry said applications for the sixth cohort of the 2026 startup AI workforce development program will open on April 6. YearDream School is designed to train unemployed young people as hands-on AI professionals and connect them with employment and startup opportunities. The program has so far offered free AI training, opportunities to join AI competitions, startup project work and internship support.
This year’s program marks a significant expansion in both scale and geography. The number of trainees will rise by 100 from last year to 300, while training sites will expand to five regions: the Seoul metropolitan area, Wonju in Gangwon, Daegu in the southeast, Jeonju in the southwest and Cheonan in the central region. The ministry expects the broader rollout to improve access for young people outside the capital region and help local companies address staffing shortages through region-linked job programs.
The curriculum is also being divided by skill level. In addition to the existing seven-month basic course for beginners and non-majors, the ministry is introducing a new three-month advanced course tailored for participants with AI-related academic or professional backgrounds. This is intended to allow trainees to choose programs that better match their existing skill levels.
Training will be delivered through a mix of online and offline formats. The basic course covers IT and data analysis fundamentals, applied AI education and industry-linked projects. The advanced course will focus on practical AI agent training and specialized industry projects. Follow-up support will include internships, startup education, mentoring and participation in investor relations programs.
The training is fully funded. The ministry also plans to offer overseas study opportunities, including programs in Silicon Valley, as well as scholarships and awards for high-performing trainees and those who secure jobs early. Applicants must be unemployed and aged 39 or younger, and applications will be accepted through May 10 on the YearDream School website.
Cho Kyung-won, director general for startup policy at the ministry, said AI technologies are advancing rapidly while startups continue to struggle with hiring. He said the government would work to foster youth talent in AI, ease labor shortages at startups and improve youth employment outcomes.
