Workforce for eco-friendly vehicles increases 7.3-fold, while that for autonomous vehicles doubles
The development of electric and hydrogen vehicles leads to employment
Approximately 8,000 to 9,000 personnel are expected to be needed by 2028.


On the 2nd, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced the results of a survey on the status of industrial technology personnel targeting businesses with 10 or more workers participating in the future automobile industry as of the end of 2018.

As of the end of 2018, the total number of industrial technology personnel employed in the future automobile industry was 50,533, which is 5.3 times higher than at the end of 2015 (9,467). This represents an annual average increase of 74.7%.

By sector, there were 42,443 people in eco-friendly vehicles, 5,021 in autonomous vehicles, and 3,068 in infrastructure, with the workforce in the eco-friendly vehicle sector increasing most significantly, reaching 7.3 times the level of the end of 2015.

By job function, production technology had 23,438 people, followed by research and development with 17,186 people, and research and development personnel (2,114 people) increased 8.1 times compared to the end of 2015.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy cited three factors for the increase: an increase in new companies participating in the future automobile industry since the end of 2015, growth in the future automobile business areas of existing companies, and expansion of the industrial scope due to inter-industry convergence.

As of the end of 2018, the shortage was 1,827 people, and the shortage rate was 3.5%. This figure is 1.6%p lower than at the end of 2015.

By sector, the shortage rate was high in the infrastructure and autonomous vehicle fields; by job function, in design and quality control; and by educational level, among university graduates.

The demand for future automotive industry technology personnel is expected to reach 89,069 by 2028.

By sector, there are 71,935 people in eco-friendly vehicles, 11,603 in autonomous vehicles, and 5,531 in infrastructure. Although eco-friendly vehicles account for a larger share (80.8%), the average annual growth rate is expected to be higher for autonomous vehicles (8.7%).

By job function, production technology accounts for 42,486 people, research and development for 29,117, and testing and verification for 3,393, and production technology personnel, who will support the expansion of production and distribution, are expected to show the highest average annual growth rate (6.1%).

According to the results of this survey, the workforce for future automobiles has surged due to an increase in R&D personnel driven by a focus on eco-friendly vehicles, increased participation of new companies, and sales growth of existing firms.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated that based on these results, they plan to implement phased workforce training policies to resolve the workforce mismatch in the future automotive industry and support innovative growth.

Meanwhile, this survey covers the future automotive industry, including electric and hydrogen vehicles.In order to identify the changing workforce structure and current status, it has been conducted in collaboration with the Korea Institute for Industrial Technology Promotion and the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade since 2016 (survey reference point: end of 2015).