A 50-year-old woman, who wished to remain anonymous, successfully secured a place in the second cohort of a pharmacy assistant training program offered by the Seoul 50 Plus Foundation after being rejected from the first. Her persistence reflects a growing demand for these programs, designed to retrain middle-aged workers for a changing job market.
The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation began offering the “Pharmacy Assistant Training Program” in 2025, targeting individuals aged 40 to 64. The program provides practical training in pharmacy operations, including professional knowledge and computer skills, with the goal of connecting graduates with employment opportunities in pharmacies. The first cohort’s training ran from February 17th to February 28th, 2025, while the second cohort is scheduled for March 10th to March 24th, 2025. Applicants can apply for both cohorts simultaneously, according to program guidelines.
The initiative comes as South Korea seeks to address the employment challenges faced by its aging population. The program aims to provide a pathway for individuals to re-enter the workforce or transition to new careers. The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation’s efforts are part of a broader national strategy to support the economic participation of the 4050 generation.
The training program, operated through the foundation’s SeoBu Campus, currently has 25 available slots. Successful graduates are eligible for job placement assistance, including access to the Higher job platform, which connects employers with experienced workers. Higher, a platform dedicated to middle-aged job seekers, provides services such as resume exposure to recruiting pharmacies and free membership for program graduates. The foundation also offers one-on-one career counseling for participants.
A third cohort of the program is scheduled to run from April 6th to April 23rd, 2026, with applications open from March 10th to March 20th, 2026. The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation has partnered with the Asea Job Training Institute to expand its vocational training offerings. The foundation was also recognized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in December 2024 for its contributions to creating jobs for middle-aged workers.
The Seoul 50 Plus Foundation can be contacted at 02-460-5107 for inquiries regarding the program.
