Kaohsiung enhances youth internship program with retention bonuses and practical courses

Kaohsiung's "Great Harbor Youth Internship and Connection Program" has demonstrated remarkable success, with a 79% retention rate among participants in 2025. The city's Youth Bureau is now rolling out an upgraded version of the program to further support young job seekers.

Last year, 1,068 young individuals participated in the internship program, and an impressive 847 of them continued their employment with their host companies. To build on this success, the bureau is introducing a 10,000 New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) bonus for interns who transition to full-time positions and remain employed for at least three months.

Beyond financial incentives, the enhanced program includes four practical courses and two major company visits. The courses, offered in August, cover topics such as "Workplace Attire and Personal Image Building," "AI Career Exploration," "Resume Review and Interview Skills," and "Labor Rights and Self-Protection." These sessions are designed to equip young people with essential skills for career development.

The program also facilitates industry exposure through company visits. Participants will tour the Dream Mall shopping center on August 6th and the Ya-Geng Winery on August 17th. These visits offer firsthand insights into the operations of large-scale businesses and diverse job roles, helping young people better define their career paths. The initiative targets Kaohsiung residents aged 15 to 29, including students, recent graduates, and those seeking new career opportunities.

“

Many young people face career hurdles not due to a lack of opportunities, but a shortage of chances to 'see the industry firsthand' and 'define themselves.'