Jeonnam Gwangju Office of Education to build 50bn KRW semiconductor mini-fab

The Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Special City Office of Education is planning to establish a semiconductor ‘mini-fab’ with a budget of up to 50 billion KRW. Aiming for operation by 2028, the facility will serve as a joint practice center for vocational high schools, allowing students to gain hands-on experience with equipment and processes similar to actual semiconductor production sites.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to redesign vocational education to align with regional strategic industries. Several schools have already been designated for specialized training, including Mokpo Technical High School and Haenam Technical High School for semiconductors, and others for smart engineering, AI, and new energy industries.

To support employment, the education office plans to implement a ‘high school graduate priority hiring quota system’ and establish a ‘Future Strategic Industry Talent Institute’ by March 2027. The plan also includes building a job-matching platform and collaborating with local universities, research institutes, and semiconductor companies to ensure students can transition from education to local employment and settlement.