HYUNDAI WIA supports youth aging out of out-of-home care to gain independence.

On October 26th, HYUNDAI WIA held an opening ceremony of the ‘HYUNDAI WIA Workplace’ at ‘American Tray’, a salad café at Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. This unique workplace supports the youth aging out of out-of-home care to gain economic and emotional independence. A total of eight workers will be running the business. Youth aging out of out-of-home care are people who are discharged from childcare facilities at the age of 18 and preparing for independence.

HYUNDAI WIA created this workplace with Changwon City, Changwonjahwal, and Child Fund Korea. HYUNDAI WIA has built a workplace that helps the transition to adulthood after out-of-home care. Young adults preparing for self-reliance will serve customers, make food, and manage the store to learn the basic skills for a social life. HYUNDAI WIA will also conduct further job trainings and psychological support programs to prevent youth from aging out of the system.

HYUNDAI WIA also engaged youth aging out of out-of-home care in the planning stage to foster active leadership skills. From early in the year, workers actively participated in building this project. The young adults selected the business industry and attended job training to obtain certifications necessary for future employment. HYUNDAI WIA plans to continue supporting these young adults to obtain licenses and be employed.

Starting with this workplace, HYUNDAI WIA will put efforts to expand the outreach to youth aging out of out-of-home care. “HYUNDAI WIA dearly wish to run a living support system for young adults to stand on their own. We will become a responsible company that cares for the isolated community members”, said an official from HYUNDAI WIA.