SK to set up ‘SK University’ to nurture human capital
SK Group has decided to establish “SK University,” a platform that combines the group’s think tank and corporate training institute, to nurture human capital and prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the company said Sunday.
“SK University,” which integrates the SK Research Institute for SUPEX Management and SK Academy, will be launched in January 2020. All courses will be open to SK employees only.
The move comes in accordance with SK Group Chairman Chey Taewon’s management policy, through which he urged employees to grow the ability to respond proactively to the rapidly changing business landscape and emerging technologies.
During regular meetings with SK employees, Chey has called on them to push for a “deep change” and venture into newfound areas, such as AI, the fifth-generation (5G) network, big data and digitization.
“In the face of a paradigm shift toward the Fourth Industrial Revolution and a drastic change of business environment, it is time to invest in human capital,” Chey said. “It will be the first step toward a deep change, which is critical for sustainable growth.”
The courses will be mainly divided into three categories — future growth engines, innovative business models and common capabilities.
The future growth class includes lessons on artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation (DT), energy and next-generation semiconductors.
The innovative business models include curriculums on social value, double bottom line and global business.
To build common capabilities, it includes seminars on happiness, leadership, finance and other management-related courses.
The faculty will be comprised of experts both within and outside the firm, and retirees. The educational content will include programs of world-renowned universities and professional institutions as well as courses developed by SK Group.
SK Group added that all employees will be given the opportunity to choose their own curriculum and courses voluntarily to grow their competency. However, it is mandatory to spend 200 hours annually to complete the selected courses.