As graduation season approaches, authorities in Hubei province have rolled out a series of initiatives to enhance employment prospects for new college graduates. This year, the province is projected to witness a record-breaking number of 590,000 college graduates.
To assist students who have been unable to secure employment after graduation, special aid will be provided, particularly targeting individuals from previously impoverished families, families with zero employment, those facing financial hardships, and individuals with disabilities. These students will receive dedicated support through measures such as career guidance sessions, recommended job placements, vocational training sessions, and internships.
In addition to job placements, aspiring entrepreneurs will receive entrepreneurship training and policy support from the authorities. This initiative aims to encourage and empower graduates who wish to venture into their own businesses.
Zhang Qinghua, the deputy director of the Hubei labor and employment service center, emphasized that students encountering difficulties in finding employment will receive personalized assistance and targeted services. The authorities aim to ensure that over 90 percent of these graduates secure jobs by the end of this year.
Hubei province has introduced over 180,000 job positions in government institutions and the public sector this year, representing a 17 percent increase compared to the previous year. The number of posts available for civil servants, grassroots government officials, and government institutions has seen a substantial boost.
To encourage graduates to work in grassroots positions, Hubei has expanded its special recruitment campaigns, specifically targeting teachers in rural areas, grassroots officials in central and western regions, and village doctors. The authorities are also urging elderly nursing homes and social service centers to prioritize the employment of college graduates.
Liu Weiping, an official with the Hubei Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security, highlighted the collaborative efforts between human resources and social security authorities and enterprises in organizing more job fairs. These events provide additional opportunities for graduates to connect with potential employers.
Huazhong Agricultural University has been proactive in expanding employment opportunities for its graduates. School administrators have visited 130 enterprises to establish connections and have successfully established employment bases at 10 companies this year. According to the university, a total of 1,667 enterprises have approached them for graduate hiring, offering an average of 20 potential opportunities per graduate. The university has also provided guidance to students in crafting resumes, preparing for job interviews, and organizing individual and group employment guidance sessions.
Similarly, Wuhan Technology and Business University has hired career guidance teachers and established comprehensive records of the employment situations of all students. This information helps the university offer targeted support and guidance to students based on their specific needs.
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Xu Wenhui, a 22-year-old senior undergraduate student at Huazhong Agricultural University, shared her personal experience. After failing the national civil servant exam, she felt discouraged and anxious while witnessing her classmates securing jobs. However, she reached out to a teacher at the university’s student employment center and engaged in a lengthy conversation that turned out to be a pivotal moment.
“The teacher told me to attend more job fairs and recommended me to human resource personnel at China Construction Electric Power Construction. After successfully passing all the necessary interviews and requirements, I will start working at the company’s HR department in July,” said Xu.
Coming from a village in Cangzhou, Hebei province, Xu emphasized that her parents, who are farmers, lacked the resources and expertise to assist her in finding employment. She expressed gratitude to her teachers, stating, “I have to rely on myself, and thanks to the help of school teachers, I have found a satisfactory job.”
With these concerted efforts and support from authorities, educational institutions, and enterprises, Hubei province aims to alleviate the challenges faced by college graduates and provide them with opportunities to embark on promising career paths.