The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) have unveiled their '2026 Annual Roadmap for Talent Development.'

Through a comprehensive announcement regarding their 2026 training schedule, KOCCA has laid out plans for 15 distinct programs, ranging from AI-focused training to cultivating experts in global exports.

The roadmap is focused on nurturing talent that can blend technical prowess with genre-specific expertise, all while keeping a firm eye on the global stage.

Adapting to the shifting landscape of content production, KOCCA is launching its 'AI-Specialized Content Academy' as a key new initiative. With a budget of 7.9 billion KRW, they aim to train over 1,000 specialists, including 900 entry-level candidates and 100 seasoned industry veterans.

The entry-level track will focus on the fundamentals of AI tools paired with expert mentorship, while the professional track moves into hands-on project work aimed at commercialization. Recruitment runs from March through May.

The Game Talent Institute is opening its doors for prospective industry recruits in February and June. Meanwhile, the New Content Academy in Hongneung will run its 2nd and 3rd cohorts for long-term projects in AI and convergent content.

Their flagship 'Creative Talent Companion Program' returns with a 9.7 billion KRW budget. Starting in April, they will select 300 budding creators aged 19 to 34 for intensive mentorship under industry-leading experts.

Genre-specific training is also being refined to meet industry demand. In the OTT space, they are teaming up with Netflix to retrain 1,000 professionals, while specialized graduate schools will recruit students in February and August.

The webtoon sector will foster 140 individuals across PD and regional artist tracks. Other initiatives include training programs for animation production (45), pop music business (120), and pop culture arts (450).

Furthermore, a program focused on global export talent will recruit 100 new and current workers between April and May, covering everything from overseas market research to export marketing tactics.

KOCCA Acting President Yoo Hyun-seok noted, "We hope this roadmap serves as a clear milestone for those shaping the future of K-Content. We are committed to providing full support so that our talent can become global leaders who change the game."

For more details, please visit the official KOCCA website.