Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea)

Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRD Korea) is a government organization under the Ministry of Employment and Labor, founded in 1982. HRD Korea plays a core role in developing and managing Korea’s human resources in line with the demands of the business community. HRD Korea’s primary areas of work are in lifelong competency development, qualification management, foreign workforce employment support, overseas employment support, international cooperation, skills promotion and skills competition.

Since its inception in 1982 under the name the “Korean Vocational Training and Management Agency”, HRD Korea has recognized the importance of having a competency based and highly skilled society. Like its vision, to become the ‘The No.1 HRD Partner to raise Lifelong Employment Capacity of All People”, HRD Korea provides a variety of competency development programs. Investment in human resources development helps enterprises as well as individuals to strengthen their competitiveness, and eventually become an essential bridgehead for the nation’s growing economic momentum.  

Furthermore, HRD Korea opened a new training center called the Global Institute for Transferring Skills (GIFTS) in March 2013 and its primary functions include programs that support technical and vocational skills both for the younger generations of Korea and international guests.

HRD Korea runs annual budget of $ 12.4 billion US dollars and employs 1,777 workers as of 2018. Its headquarters is located in Ulsan and has 6 regional headquarters and 18 local offices around the country, and 16 EPS center in 16 countries.