Financial firms are moving to foster young AI finance talent through the government's "K-New Deal Academy".

KB Kookmin Bank said on Tuesday it is recruiting trainees through June 19 for its youth employment support programme "KB-Bridge" for non-capital-region young people seeking jobs in the financial sector.

Applicants must be unemployed young people aged 15 to 34, and the bank plans to select 120 participants from outside the Seoul metropolitan area.

The programme is designed to build both practical skills required in financial workplaces and AI and data analysis capabilities. Over five months, participants will study topics including understanding the financial and digital industries, using OA and AI tools, basics of Python and SQL, using AI agents and AI-based data analysis. They will also carry out practical projects.

It also offers employment support benefits. It provides a training allowance of up to 3.75 million won and support funds for obtaining financial certifications.

A KB Kookmin Bank official said, "We hope this programme becomes a strong stepping stone for non-capital-region youth to find jobs in the financial sector." The official added, "We will continue to take the lead in creating social value by practising inclusive finance."

Woori Financial Group will also operate the "WooriWON Youth IT Academy" from August to foster young AI finance talent.

Eight group affiliates will jointly participate in the academy: Woori Financial Group, Woori Bank, Woori Investment & Securities, Tongyang Life Insurance, ABL Life Insurance, Woori Card, Woori FIS and the Woori Financial Future Foundation. Woori plans to use its group infrastructure to provide practice-focused job training and mentoring by incumbent employees to unemployed youth.

The curriculum will run for a total of 600 hours as an advanced course. It consists of 416 hours for developing digital job competencies and 184 hours for understanding the financial industry overall. It also includes programmes called the "AX Hackathon" and "Financial AX Insight" reflecting the latest IT trends. The group explained that it focuses on building practical financial AI capabilities.

A Woori official said, "The academy will be a venue for mutual growth, providing youth with professional IT education and offering the group an opportunity to secure future talent." The official added, "We will support youth so they can develop into financial AI experts, going beyond simple knowledge delivery."