Talent is core of STX Group's strength

Vibrant, dynamic and professional manpower is the core strength of STX Group, which has grown from a bankrupt shipyard into one of the nation's major conglomerates in less than a decade. Now as the group steps onto the world stage, human capital becomes even more important, and STX is sparing no effort in attracting and motivating the finest talent, said group chairman Kang Duk-soo.
As an indication of its unyielding focus on human resources, STX Group has hired 500 college graduates in the first half of this year, the same number as the first half of last year. It plans to recruit 1,000 more in the second half.
Kang's emphasis on human resources management has helped the group earn a reputation among job seekers as well as industry insiders.
In a poll conducted last year by Incruit, an online recruiting firm, STX Group was voted by college students the fourth most favored company to work for, after Samsung Group, Kumho Asiana Group and SK Group.
This year's Most Wanted Company survey by the Korea Management Association Consulting included STX Offshore & Shipbuilding Co. in the list of best 30 companies and named STX Pan Ocean Co. as the winner in the shipping industry category. KMAC's poll is a testimony of the heightened profile of STX, as it was conducted upon job seekers and those already working in the industry.
"Our unyielding focus and investment in human capital seem to have won recognition," an official at the group said. "We will continue to do our best to maintain a workforce that is imbued with creativity and the spirit of challenge, as we forge ahead into the global market."
In a bid to share with employees its global ambition, the group puts its entire new recruits on a cruise tour every year bound for several Chinese cities including Beijing, Qingdao and Dalian. China is a strategic place for the group. STX Shipbuilding runs a major shipbuilding complex in Dalian.
The program is intended at helping new employees better understand the group's overseas operations and have a global mindset, although they work in Korea.
Aside form the training-on-cruise program, STX has a Global Pioneer Program which offers a six-month overseas assignment for a select group of middle managers.
STX Group owns the world's fifth-largest shipyard STX Shipbuilding and Europe's largest STX Europe, formerly Aker Yards. Its other core units are STX Pan Ocean, STX Engine, STX Energy and STX Corp., the holding firm. STX brought in 28.2 trillion won in revenue last year.