1. Research Goals and Methods

■ Research Goals

￮ This study explores roadmaps and strategies for developing a skilled workforce to strengthen the innovation capacity of newly introduced agro-life industrial zones in Jeonbuk State

■ Research Methods

￮ This study employs literature reviews focused on the skilled agro-life workforce, statistical analyses, and expert consultations.

￮ This study analyzes stakeholder perceptions of and policy demand for skilled workforce development, using survey results from 95 practitioners in agro-life industrial zones and secondary data from 190 agri-food and bio-industry firms in Jeonbuk.

2. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

■ Innovation Capacity Building for Agro-Life Industrial Zone Operators

￮ (Implementation roadmaps) Enhance understanding of zone implementation plans and related policies based on agro-life industry development strategies.

- Open regular training programs at the Agri-Food Human Resources Development Institute and design curricula tailored to different development stages, focusing on practical, problem-solving skills

￮ (Training objective) Identify ways to revitalize operations and accelerate the successful implementation of agro-life industrial zones.

￮ (Target audience) Zone operators and key stakeholders, including public officials, agricultural business entities, support organizations, and firms. 

￮ (Program) Structured around common competencies essential for zone operations.

- Agricultural policy vision and agro-life industrial zone development strategies

- Governance structures and operational models, including the adoption and implementation of collaborative decision-making for effective management

- Regulatory easing and the use of regulatory sandbox programs

- Benchmarking through on-site visits and comparable initiatives

￮ Participants: 60 (30 per cohort)

￮ Duration: 4 days (2 days, 13 hours per cohort)

■ Customized Workforce Development Support for Agro-Life Industrial Zones

￮ Design differentiated curricula based on sector-specific characteristics of key industries

- Reflect characteristics of production-linked agricultural models (integrated competencies across production, processing, and distribution) and innovation-driven industry models (R&D, technology commercialization, and global competencies).

- (Strengthening field orientation) Reflect strong demand for practical and experiential training, as well as field-linked education.

- (Developing stage-specific competencies) Structure programs into introductory, basic, advanced, and expert levels, thereby providing learning pathways tailored to participants’ experience and skills.  

- (Modular design) Facilitate flexible operations through cross-industry common modules and industry-specific modules.  

- (Incorporating training needs assessments) Conduct annual training needs surveys for companies and agricultural businesses at the city and county levels and summarize the findings.

￮ Establish region-led operational frameworks and define the roles of relevant stakeholders

- Empower cities and counties to design and implement specialized training programs under their respective responsibilities, while establishing flexible collaboration mechanisms to incorporate field needs into curricula in real time.

- (Cities and counties) Analyze regional industry characteristics and workforce demand, plan programs, recruit training participants, promote infrastructure linkage and coordination, and deliver post-program follow-up.

- (Provincial government) Approve training plans and provide budget support, manage curricula, operate common programs, promote best practices, assess performance, and deliver feedback.

- (Institutions) Develop sector-specific advanced training programs, engage and manage qualified instructors, provide equipment and facilities, and offer technical guidance and consulting services.

■ Collaborative Framework for Agro-Life Industry Workforce Development

￮ Establish a standing consultative committee among educational and research(innovation) institutions for joint curriculum design and delivery.    

￮ Develop a demand-driven, integrated system for shared training, practice, and infrastructure use in agro-life industrial zones.

￮ Build a coordinated governance framework among local governments, district offices of education, relevant ministries, and the Jeonbuk Regional Human Resources Development Committee.

￮ Design an agro-life talent pipeline connecting vocational schools, higher education institutions, and employment/entrepreneurship.

■ Establishment and Operation of Training Institutions for Building a Skilled Workforce in the Agro-Life Industry 

￮ Expand and advance functions of specialized training institutions.

- Expand functions of the Jeonbuk Agri-Food Human Resources Development Institute and deliver tailored curricula for workforce development in agro-life industrial zones.

- Expand the training audience to diverse zone participants and align curricula with innovation-driven emerging industries.

￮ Create an intermediary organization to support workforce development in agro-life industrial zones.

- Establish an intermediary support body and systematically oversee operators of common and advanced training programs.

- Manage target participants, content, institutions, and trainees for common training programs, and deliver customized advanced training through selected external institutions.

￮ Establish and operate agro-life industrial zone workforce training institutions under the Jeonbuk Special Act.- Define a broad target audience, ranging from current agro-industry practitioners to future agro-life talent, including high school and university students in relevant fields.

- Define a broad target audience, ranging from current agro-industry practitioners to future agro-life talent, including high school and university students in relevant fields.​

- Build an efficient operating system by sharing underutilized facilities and human resources among relevant institutions and expanding inter-institutional training.

- Define training domains on core industry-specific competencies and function as regional platforms that leverage local infrastructure and partnerships.​ 

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