Strengthening education and training partnerships will be the key focus during this week's South Korea Trade Mission, led by Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman.
Ms Fentiman will lead a delegation of more than six Queensland education and training providers in Korea, aimed at deepening the ties around international education and training to enhance and grow Queensland's fastest growing service export.
"Vocational Education and Training is vital to making sure there are the skilled workers for the jobs of the future," Ms Fentiman said.
"Queensland has a strong trading relationship with South Korea and deep cultural relations and international education and training is a key way to do this."
"This has led to collaboration between Queensland and South Korean education providers on shared challenges and opportunities.
Ms Fentiman will sign a number of agreements with South Korean education and training providers to deliver education and training in Queensland for young Koreans, aimed at tackling some of Korea's youth unemployment issues.
She will also tour key university and training facilities and host a number of agent and partner events.
"It's a natural progression that we work together to increase exciting training pathways in South Korea and promote the fantastic opportunities on offer in Queensland.
"Providing and arming young Koreans with some of the skills Queensland is world class at delivering, these students are better equipped to look for work when they return home."
About 7000 Korean students study in Queensland every year, with the whole sector worth $4.6 billion and supporting more than 21,000 jobs.
Korea is Queensland's third-largest goods trading partner, which last financial year imported $7.9 billion worth of Queensland merchandise.
A Memorandum of Understanding with the Sejong City Office of Education (SCOE) and a Statement of Intent with the Korean Council for University College Education will be signed during the trip.
The partnership with SCOE will agree on collaboration on education and training programs with Study Queensland. SCOE is responsible for the education of primary to high school students in one of the fastest growing cities in Korea.
The agreement with the Korean Council for University College education will lead to more young Koreans studying in Queensland. The KCCE is the peak industry association representing approximately 136 University Colleges delivering 2 to 4 year VET courses and approves overseas study.
This confirms supporting Vocational and Education Training programs in Queensland for young Koreans.
Two days of the mission will be for Study Queensland seminars in Seoul and Daejeon highlighting what the Queensland Government's international education unit does.
Study Queensland, part of Trade and Investment Queensland, is the central point of coordination to deliver the Queensland Government's $25.3 million International Education and Training Strategy to Advance Queensland 2016–2026.
"This mission will lead to even stronger working relationships between South Korea and Queensland and even greater respect between education providers in both economies," Ms Fentiman said.
"Ultimately it will lead to better training opportunities for thousands of young Koreans of many years and it's exciting Queensland can play a role in this."
