[DigitalToday reporter Sangyeop Oh] Upbit said on March 9 it held the Next UP Day homecoming event for its jobs support programme for youth preparing to live independently, Upbit Next JOB (Next JOB), on March 7.

Next JOB, which Upbit is promoting with Social Solidarity Bank, is a systematic jobs support programme designed to help youth preparing to live independently grow into healthy members of society and achieve stable independence within the economic ecosystem.

The cumulative number of people supported reached 1,421 through this year, its third year, and the programme provided a range of support including internships, start-up support, and financial and career education.

According to Upbit's analysis of programme results, improvement in job performance capability and skills scored 4.53 out of 5. In particular, participants gave high satisfaction scores of 4.71 for "economic help" and 4.59 for "help preparing for the future".

Over the past three years, it has worked closely with key regional hub institutions in major provincial cities including Daejeon, Gwangju and Busan.

A total of 101 companies, including social enterprises, local companies and small business owners, took part as internship partners. Upbit created an environment where youth could build practical capabilities without leaving regions they are familiar with. This is also assessed as helping address regional extinction issues caused by youth outflows.

Dunamu CEO Kyung-seok Oh (오경석) said, "I hope 'Next JOB' will serve as a reliable companion to youth crossing the threshold into society." He added, "We will continue to serve as a support so that youth preparing to live independently can settle stably where they live and demonstrate their capabilities."