Youth Bureau Partners with Soma to Advance Low-Earth Orbit Satellite and Energy Storage Industries; Dagang Internship Program Cultivates Next-Gen Tech Talent

Kaohsiung City Government's Youth Bureau continues to strengthen the connection between youth and industry. Recently, Director Lin Kai-Hsuan led a delegation to visit Soma Corporation, a company deeply rooted in Kaohsiung for nearly 30 years. The team conducted in-depth discussions on Soma’s strategic initiatives in cutting-edge sectors such as low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites, energy storage technology, and drones, and toured the production lines to understand the latest talent demands. This collaboration will inform the 'Dagang Youth Workplace Internship and Transition Program,' enabling young people to enter key technology industries early and establish a 'from internship to employment' talent development model.

Director Lin emphasized that Kaohsiung is actively advancing strategic industries such as semiconductors, new energy, and net-zero sustainability, with talent cultivation serving as a cornerstone for industrial upgrading. The Dagang Youth Internship Program bridges the gap between academia and the workplace, allowing students to gain hands-on experience during their studies while helping companies identify promising talent early. This dual benefit enhances career opportunities for youth within Kaohsiung.

Soma Corporation, originally established in lithium-ion battery module development and manufacturing, has recently expanded into high-value-added sectors including LEO satellites, energy storage systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). As a result, demand for cross-disciplinary talent has increased significantly. Beyond continuous investment in R&D, Soma has long collaborated with the Kaohsiung Youth Bureau, Social Affairs Bureau, and Transportation Bureau to promote youth empowerment and public welfare initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to local development and corporate social responsibility.

During the meeting, Soma shared insights on its overseas market expansion and evolving talent needs. With growing operations in Europe, the U.S., and Asia, the company highlighted the importance of not only technical expertise but also foreign language proficiency, cross-cultural communication skills, and global perspectives. Subsequently, Chairman Yeh Chiu-Chih and Manager Wu Kuan-Pang of the Management Department guided the Youth Bureau team through the production facilities, showcasing product applications, manufacturing processes, and talent development outcomes—valuable inputs for deepening future industry-academia collaboration.

The Youth Bureau also visited students currently interning at Soma, including Hsu Hao-Hsiang and Tsai Meng-Che from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Cheng Shiu University, who are interning in the procurement and manufacturing departments. Both students expressed that gaining frontline experience in the new energy sector allowed them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world tasks and clarified their future career paths. Director Lin encouraged them to cherish the internship opportunity, build professional competencies, and enhance their employability.

Additionally, the Youth Bureau has launched a new 'Full-Time Transition and Retention Incentive' this year. Participants who successfully complete the 'Dagang Youth Workplace Internship and Transition Program,' transition to full-time roles, and remain employed for at least three months are eligible to apply for a NT$10,000 incentive. This initiative encourages youth to stay and work in Kaohsiung while supporting companies in retaining top talent.

To date, over 200 companies have joined the 'Dagang Youth Internship Station,' offering more than 1,700 paid internship positions across diverse fields such as technology, manufacturing, cultural and creative industries, services, and startups. The program targets youth aged 15 to 29 who are either registered residents of Kaohsiung or studying within the city, providing diverse internship and employment opportunities to cultivate job-ready talent for Kaohsiung’s key industries.