<p>Korea has promoted industrialization under its national economic development plans that were commenced in 1960 and needed to train and produce skilled technical workers during this process. Accordingly, each department of the government introduced a national qualification system focusing on the area of technology by using the qualification systems of other countries, such as Germany and Japan, as models. The early qualification systems contributed to transforming Korea’s industrial structure from an agriculture-centered into a manufacturing-centered, and established a basis for national basic industries. Since then, national qualification systems, which had been operated under the individual business laws according to the promotion of heavy chemical industry preference policies for technicians at the national level, were integrated into the National Technical Qualification Act in 1973. With the enactment of this Act, many qualified technicians needed by industry were developed, and the qualification system has been constantly improved in accordance with the needs of the field.</p>
<p>It is necessary to make efforts to develop a virtuous cycle of qualification in the labour market by reinforcing the research function for the constant development of the qualification system. Thus far, Korea’s national technical qualification system has played pivotal roles in national economic development by responding flexibly to changes in the domestic/overseas environment, supplying certified human resources to the labor market, and more. Korea’s national technical qualification system will be constantly developed by reflecting the industry demand.</p>