GM Korea signs industry-school MOU with Inpyeong Automotive High School

General Motors Korea signed an industry-school MOU with Inpyeong Automotive High School on Monday at its showroom in Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, to develop local automotive talent, the company announced Wednesday.

The signing ceremony was attended by GM Korea President Hector Villarreal, Kim Byeong-yun, chairman of the Salvation Army school foundation, Ahn Gyu-baek, head of the Korean Metal Workers' Union's GM Korea chapter, Rep. Noh Jong-myeon of Incheon's Bupyeong-gu Gap constituency, and Incheon city assembly members. Attendees signed the agreement and discussed the direction of automotive education cooperation between the company and the school.

Under the MOU, GM Korea will provide vehicles for educational and practical training to help Inpyeong Automotive High School students better understand the automotive industry and production environment. The company also plans to run automotive lectures and plant visit programs through its technical training center.

Additional cooperation under consideration includes lectures by field technicians, maintenance and case-based instruction, guidance on the technical training center's curriculum, and assistance with practical examination venues — all aimed at supporting students' career exploration.

"This collaboration — bringing together the local community, schools and a company to offer students meaningful educational opportunities — is a significant starting point for nurturing future automotive talent," GM Korea President Hector Villarreal said. "We will continue to pursue educational partnerships that allow us to grow alongside the community."

"I hope this MOU goes beyond simple technical training and becomes a starting point where GM Korea's advanced technology and rich field experience are passed on to students, helping them build toward their futures," Kim said. "I also hope it becomes a model of industry-school cooperation in which labor, management and schools share each other's strengths and make a positive contribution to the local community and the country."

Ahn said labor and management, long focused on advancing the automotive industry, now want to broaden their perspective and take on greater responsibility by thinking together about the future of the community and its youth. He described the signing ceremony as "a meaningful first step in turning that commitment into concrete action."

GM Korea said it plans to continue expanding its education, talent development and social contribution activities in partnership with the local community.

Meanwhile, GM Korea sold a total of 41,101 vehicles last month, a 73.3 percent increase from the same month a year earlier — the seventh time this year it has surpassed 40,000 units in a single month.