정읍시가 취약계층 맞춤형 일자리 제공 성과를 인정받아 보건복지부 장관 표창을 받았다. 지난 9월 정읍지역자활센터가 우수기관으로 선정된 데 이어, 이번에는 정읍시가 우수 지자체로 선정되며 자활 분야에서 연이은 성과를 거뒀다.

보건복지부 주관 평가는 전국 광역·기초자치단체를 대상으로 ▲자활근로 활성화 ▲자산형성사업 지원 ▲자활기금 및 자활기업 활성화 ▲자활사업 운영 등 4개 분야 12개 지표를 종합 평가해 이뤄졌다.

정읍시는 관공서·공공시설과 연계한 일자리 자원을 발굴하고 지역 특색을 살린 사업단을 운영한 점에서 높은 점수를 받았다. 주요 사례로는 대량 세탁물을 처리하는 공장형 ‘신화세탁사업단’, 한국전기안전공사 인재개발원과 원예농협 하나로마트 내에 입점한 ‘카페보네사업단’이 꼽힌다. 또 정읍 특산품인 쌍화차 재료를 활용한 ‘전처리사업단’ 운영을 통해 지역경제 활성화와 복지 일자리 창출을 함께 추진했다는 평가다.

인프라 지원도 주목받았다. 시는 도시재생사업과 연계해 옛 행정복지센터 건물을 리모델링해 정읍지역자활센터 단독 시설로 제공하고, 자활기금을 투입해 자활근로사업단과 자활기업의 역량 강화도 지원해왔다.

이학수 정읍시장은 “공공과 민간이 협력해 취약계층 자립을 지원한 결과”라며 “저소득층이 일자리를 통해 빈곤에서 벗어날 수 있도록 자활사업을 더욱 강화하겠다”고 말했다.

Jeongeup City has been recognized for its tailored job creation efforts for vulnerable populations and received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare. Following the selection of the Jeongeup Regional Activity Center as an excellent organization in September, this time, Jeongeup City was selected as an outstanding local government, achieving consecutive successes in the field of self-reliance.

The evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare targeted nationwide metropolitan and local governments, comprehensively assessing 12 indicators in four areas: ▲ activation of self-reliant labor ▲ support for asset formation projects ▲ activation of self-reliance funds and self-reliant enterprises ▲ operation of self-reliance projects.

Jeongeup City received high scores for discovering job resources linked to public offices and facilities and operating projects that leverage the local characteristics. Key examples include the factory-type 'Shinhwa Laundry Team' that handles large-scale laundry, and the 'Cafe Bonne Team' located in the Korea Electric Power Corporation's Human Resources Development Institute and the Wonhyo Agricultural Cooperative's Hanaro Mart. Additionally, through the operation of the 'Preprocessing Team' that utilizes the raw materials of Jeongeup's specialty, Ssanghwa Tea, the city was evaluated for promoting local economic revitalization and creating welfare jobs.

Infrastructure support also garnered attention. The city remodeled the old Administrative Welfare Center building in connection with urban regeneration projects, providing it as a standalone facility for the Jeongeup Regional Activity Center and supporting the enhancement of the capabilities of self-reliant labor teams and self-reliant enterprises by injecting self-reliance funds.

Jeongeup Mayor Lee Hak-soo stated, “As a result of supporting the self-reliance of vulnerable populations through collaboration between the public and private sectors,” and added, “We will further strengthen self-reliance projects so that low-income individuals can escape poverty through employment.”