Korea issues growing number of coding certificates

[Photo by MK DB]

Coding is becoming more popular in South Korea as more people aim to join tech companies such as artificial intelligence (AI) startups or software development firms. The skill involves creating algorithms to implement specific functions on a computer and is a fundamental skill required for software developers, including those working with AI.

Related certifications are being introduced as interest grows, but some are facing criticism for being poorly verified, of substandard quality, and thus not helpful for employment.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT on Sunday, there were as many as 429 coding certificates in Korea as of the end of April 2024, none of which are issued by the government. The related fields are diverse, including robot coding, drone coding, internet of things (IoT) coding, and children’s coding.

According to the private certification information service website, around 40 new private coding certificates have been created annually since 2019. There were 39 new certificates in 2019, 40 in 2020, 44 in 2021, 34 in 2022, and 34 in 2023. In 2024, 19 new certificates were created as of the end of April.

Due to the sheer number, there is a significant disparity in the popularity of these certificates. Some certificates, such as the coding creative development test, saw 10,915 applicants in 2023, and software coding qualification, with 4,633 applicants, is another popular choice.

But there are certificates with only single-digit applicants, or in some cases, none at all. A private certificate related to coding skills for drone development, for example, had no applicants in 2023.

The tech industry credited the surge in coding certificates to the increased demand for developer roles.

“In recent years, numerous private coding certificates have indiscriminately appeared, targeting the resume-building efforts of tech company job seekers,” an industry insider said.

However, companies noted that there is little correlation between coding certificates and employment at tech firms.

“While we require coding skills for new developers, we verify these through practical evaluations and do not give preference to those with private certificates,” a hiring manager at a fintech startup said, while an AI deep learning startup representative noted that the “quality of the numerous private certificates is very low.”

“We assess applicants’ development capabilities through their portfolios, so obtaining various certificates does not necessarily improve employment prospects,” the manager said.

Private coding certificates currently operate on a registration system. “According to the framework act on qualifications, private qualifications can be established, managed, and operated by any corporation, organization, or individual as long as they register with the relevant minister before establishment and meet certain requirements,” an official from the Ministry of Science and ICT said. A small and mid-sized robot manufacturing company official said that it “essentially creates a market to sell certificates.”

“In a job market where developer roles are in high demand, the government has permitted a profit-driven business through certificates.”

The official added that job seekers pay to take these exams to build their resumes, but companies do not prioritize these certificates and they do not measure actual skills, so this proliferation is not beneficial for the country’s future.

Choi Byoung-ho, professor at Korea University’s Human-inspired AI Computing Research Center, emphasized that in an era where generative AI can perform simple coding in minutes, certificates cannot keep up with rapidly changing technology.

“Job seekers should focus on participating in various coding competitions rather than spending energy on obtaining certificates as this would be much more beneficial in finding a job,” he said.