Policy Measures for Human Resources Development in the Service Sector

In order to overcome the recent jobless growth and economic slowdown, and to achieve sustainable economic development, there is a need to upgrade and promote service industries. Service industries increase employment opportunities not only through inducement of additional growth of the manufacturing sector but also through its own growth. Compared to other industries, the competitiveness of service industries is much more dependent on the quality of human resources. This study analyzed manpower development and supply, and the related government policies of 3 service industries -- business services, health & medicine services and culture industry -- and suggested policy tasks and strategies for the human resources development in the service sector. Policy directions for HRD in the service sector are as follows: 1) design and development of infrastructure such as information and finance; 2) enlarged provision of education & training opportunities for professionals in individual service industries; 3) human resources development based upon demands from actual service fields; 4) enhancement of support to education & training initiated by the private sector; 5) integrated and efficient policy implementation through systematic networking among related actors. On the basis of the above policy directions, the following policy tasks are discussed. 1) establishment and operation of information & statistics systems for the service sector at a national level: ① establishment of systems for gathering, analyzing and disseminating data and information on service industries, and designation of an institution responsible for the job, ② development of manpower demand & supply forecasting system and manpower map; 2) diversification and specialization of training programs for professionals in individual service industries: ① development of training programs for professionals tailored to each service industry, ② program enrichment in 2-year junior colleges and universities, ③ introduction of accreditation for education & training programs and work-based training system, ④ development of training program for cultivating generic skills and launching new businesses; 3) reeducation and retraining of incumbent workers: ① development of programs for upgrading professional knowledge & skills, ② greater support to SMEs and temporary/part-time workers; 4) implementation of HRD programs initiated by the private sector: ① strengthening of cooperation between sector councils and training institutes, ② increase in government support to sector councils and enterprises actively participating in HRD programs; 5) improvement of qualification system for service industries: ① improvement of transferability of qualifications in the international market, ② introduction of national skill standards. Strategies for implementing the above policy tasks are as follows: 1) organization and operation of 'Sector HRD Council' in individual service industries and departmental council for each major area in colleges and universities, 2) formulation of a master plan for HRD in the service industries at a national level, and 3) establishment of an implementation system for HRD policy in service industries