CJ OliveNetworks, a Seoul-based digital service company that provides system integration, cloud solutions, digital marketing, and IT infrastructure services, is encouraging young creators in South Korea. The company is promoting the ‘Local Pioneer School’, which serves as a remote and offline convergence education program designed to help young creative individuals commercialize their local ideas.
CJ OliveNetworks offers a wide range of services across South Korea. These services include digital solutions, system businesses, and various other service sectors. They operate in diverse fields such as digital marketing, cloud infrastructure, information security, e-commerce, retail, technology research, artificial intelligence, blockchain, data science, smart manufacturing, and logistics.
The Korean Ministry of Employment, Labor, and also the Human Resources Development Service of Korea—an organization responsible for core human resource development and management activities, initiated the ‘Youth-friendly ESG Support Project,’ of which the Local Pioneer School program is a part.
Urban Play, a content company that provides content-based operating solutions to regional businesses and real estate markets, is currently facilitating the program.
CJ OliveNetworks aims to focus on the concept of ‘loconomy,’ which refers to the local economy. Loconomy encompasses consumption patterns within local areas altogether with the support for local brands. It emphasizes the utilization of local products.
The Local Pioneer School follows a hybrid educational format divided into four programs. It targets individuals aged 18 to 34 with innovative ideas in fields like local crafts, wellness, culture, and outdoor activities. The program offers a curriculum that combines local education and digital space, incorporating theoretical learning as well.
Participants are encouraged to explore their own localized ideas. They are provided with time to implement these ideas. During the ‘Local Pioneer Festa,’ they are enabled to engage in discussions. The participants are also offered guidance, sessions, local field visits, as well as case study practices.
Bridge Office by CJ OliveNetworks
The Local Pioneer School runs for five months, from June to October. During this period, CJ OliveNetworks supports young creators by granting them access to ‘Bridge Office’. Bridge Office launched as a metaverse communication service in November of the previous year. Bridge Office facilitates remote interaction among millennials and Generation Z members. It also fosters a horizontal culture that enables effective collaboration, quick decision-making, and enhanced immersion.
At the end of the Local Pioneer School program, participants receive an allowance of approximately 1.5 million Korean won. They are also provided with a Pioneer Kit, local bonuses, and digital creative tools.
Outstanding participants also have the opportunity to collaborate with regional brands. They can furthermore experience daily activities and local lifestyles in Jeju and Gangwon.
Lee Young-sang, the DT Academy Manager at CJ OliveNetworks, highlights the negative impact of job instability and concentration on local brands. The company seeks to support local businesses and startups through programs like the Local Pioneer School.
In April of this year, CJ OliveNetworks unveiled two technologies at the World IT Show 2023, namely the ‘proto hologram,’ a 3D hologram platform utilizing 5G-based realistic content, and ‘Collab AR,’ a 5G-based industrial safety metabus remote collaboration AR solution. The company focused on showcasing 5G communication technologies at the exhibition hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT.