Synopsis
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation has launched an 'AI Self-Reliance Program' aimed at helping young people prepare for independent living through digital skills and AI literacy training. The initiative focuses on financial awareness, career readiness, and practical technology use to support youth empowerment.
The Small and Medium Business Corporation announced on the 26th that it has officially launched the AI Self-Reliance Program (Login to My Independence) in partnership with the child welfare organization ChildFund Korea, aiming to support stable independence and strengthen future career competencies for youths preparing for independence transitioning out of child welfare facilities and foster care systems.
The initiative is designed to move beyond traditional financial assistance and instead provide structured, future-oriented education that integrates artificial intelligence tools with career exploration and practical employment readiness. By combining technology-driven learning with hands-on exposure to real-world industries, the program seeks to help vulnerable youth build confidence, improve employability skills, and make informed decisions about their long-term career paths in an increasingly digital job market.
Every quarter, the program will sequentially offer field-oriented activities including employment, finance, and career education, as well as visits to promising small and medium-sized enterprises. Outstanding participants will receive scholarships. In addition, after completing the program, the corporation plans to link participants to employment by utilizing its workforce support policy project, the Corporate Human Resource Assistance Center.
On the 23rd, a special program the AI Self-Reliance Camp was held. Youths preparing for independence used AI to create content envisioning their future selves, and completed various self-reliance missions such as career planning, job exploration, and collaboration activities, helping them build confidence in their career paths and independence.
Also Read: SMBC to Create 2000 Jobs with New Charlotte HQ Expansion
Sukjin Kang, Chairman of the Small and Medium Business Corporation, states, “The corporation is running a wide range of policy initiatives to nurture young talent and connect jobs between small and medium-sized enterprises and young people. As AI has recently become a core competency that determines young people's competitiveness in the job market, we hope that through this program, youths preparing for independence will create future opportunities for themselves based on their AI capabilities”.
Officials and program organizers emphasized that the initiative reflects a broader shift in youth employment and social welfare policy, where digital literacy and artificial intelligence competencies are becoming essential tools for long-term independence. By integrating AI-based learning modules into career development pathways, the AI Self-Reliance Program is expected to help participants not only understand current labor market demands but also anticipate future industry changes driven by automation and digital transformation.
The collaboration between the Small and Medium Business Corporation and ChildFund Korea also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing the unique challenges faced by vulnerable youth populations. Many youths preparing for independence lack consistent access to mentorship networks or professional guidance after leaving institutional care, making structured programs like this particularly significant.
Through exposure to small and medium-sized enterprises, participants gain insight into real workplace environments, organizational culture, and practical job requirements, which can reduce uncertainty and improve career decision-making. The incorporation of AI tools during the AI Self-Reliance Camp further allows participants to experiment with creative and analytical tasks, helping them visualize future goals and build confidence in their ability to succeed independently in competitive job markets.
This ongoing effort is expected to strengthen inclusive employment pathways and support sustainable independence outcomes for vulnerable youth in South Korea’s evolving labor ecosystem.
