Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the practical educational needs of middle-aged and elderly workers in the auto industry in Gyeongnam through focus group interviews (FGI) amid changes in the industrial paradigm of digital transformation (DX) and artificial intelligence transformation (AX), and to present an empirical basis for the development of customized technology education programs based on this.
Methods: This study selected a total of 16 middle-aged and elderly workers and corporate practical experts working for auto parts manufacturers in Gyeongnam and conducted focus group interviews. Two semi-structured questionnaires tailored to the characteristics of each target group (for workers and experts) were developed and utilized. In addition, in order to secure the validity of qualitative research, the core topics were derived through open coding, axis coding, and selective coding by applying Kryger's (1998) four-step analysis process.
Results: As a result of the analysis, four key topics related to the educational needs of middle-aged and elderly workers in the automobile industry group were derived. First, psychological atrophy and anxiety about the digital transformation represented by ‘It's too much to follow’ were confirmed. Second, with the thirst for ‘workable technology’, the need for practical and task-oriented education with high field application has emerged. Third, a peer-supporting learning environment that can form an emotional bond of ‘I'm not the only one who doesn't know’ appeared as a major demand. Fourth, like the perception of ‘Nam Joo Na by learning’, I strongly hoped that education would be linked to employment retention and career design in the second half of the year beyond simple skill acquisition.
Conclusion: The four key demands derived from this study suggest that technical education for middle-aged and elderly workers should be a holistic approach that encompasses psychological barriers, collaborative learning environment, and career design beyond simple knowledge transfer. This result is an essential diagnostic process to overcome the limitations of existing supplier-centered vocational training, and it will be used as key basic data for securing content validity and developing a ‘regional and industry-tailored technical competency enhancement program’ through a Delphi survey for multidisciplinary experts (industry, educational engineering, vocational training).