Technological advancements are rapidly advancing in cutting-edge industries, and technological trends are constantly changing. While high schools and universities are striving to cultivate cutting-edge talent, companies are struggling to meet the demands of specialized training in cutting-edge technologies.

Accordingly, the Korea Radio Promotion Association established and operates the Radio Broadcasting and Communications Education Center, which produces over 7,000 trainees annually through education and training of cutting-edge talent, thereby contributing significantly to the national industrial foundation.

■ Electronic Broadcasting and Communications Education Center, the largest educational institution in the field of radio waves
When I visited the Radio Broadcasting and Communication Education Center in Mokdong, Seoul on the 11th, some of the classrooms were busy being remodeled. As the largest educational institution under the Ministry of Science and ICT, it has 13 classrooms including an online studio in Mok-dong, 3 classrooms in Seocho-dong, and 10 classrooms in Pangyo, Seongnam-si, and is building an additional 10 classrooms in Gasan-dong.

In particular, the training center selected detailed training topics in six radio-utilization industries and began training in response to the latest trends in 2023. It established courses in smart drones, radio-material components, autonomous vehicles, 5G and 6G, radio-sensing, and energy transmission, and established a systematic curriculum that covers everything from theory to laws, equipment and device practice, simulations, and field trips.

This "Future Leader Training for Radio Waves" program is designed to cultivate and support practical, working professionals equipped with the convergence capabilities demanded by SMEs and venture companies. Conducted both online and offline, the program aims to foster radio wave utilization technology, a core competency in the hyper-connected era essential to many industries. Through practical training required for job performance, it is expected to support the capacity building of SMEs and venture companies.

The training center expanded its free training benefits for employees to mid-sized companies, aiming to cultivate cutting-edge talent. Each course consists of five lectures, each with a field trip, held over two days. You can attend individual lectures or complete the entire course curriculum.

■ Strength in responding to the latest technology, supplementing the lack of radio experts
The industry complains that it is difficult to keep up with the latest technologies with the talent produced by universities, and is receiving support for human resource development through government-affiliated organizations or educational institutions affiliated with associations to develop radio and ICT convergence products and strengthen radio technology capabilities within companies.

It's reported that only two universities are recruiting new students in radio engineering, while only three are producing graduates. Industry insiders lament that while the communications field is seeing a relatively small influx of talented individuals, RF majors are experiencing a drought. Faced with a shortage of skilled professionals, the industry is focusing on strengthening the job skills of on-the-job developers and developing cutting-edge products.

In that respect, the Radio Broadcasting and Communications Education Center's greatest strength is its ability to recruit instructors and curriculum that quickly respond to the latest technologies and issues. In terms of human resource development, universities are academically centered, so the training center compensates for the inability to flexibly implement the curriculum.

In addition, the Radio Broadcasting and Communication Education Center signed MOUs with Busan Techno Park, Konkuk University, and Emco Electronics, establishing an educational cooperation system encompassing industry, academia, and research.

Koo Jae-il, the head of the ICT Convergence Education Team at the Radio Broadcasting and Communications Education Center of the Korea Radio Promotion Association, said, “Our education center can respond quickly to trends in the field of radio wave utilization through the latest curriculum and instructor composition that reflects the needs of the industry.” He added, “In the second half of the year, we plan to provide education in the field of 5G and 6G communications, radio wave sensing, and energy transmission, and we hope that many developers and engineers from small and medium-sized enterprises and venture companies working in the field will participate.”