More than 7 million Chinese college graduates are entering the job market this year. Government officials and colleges are making every effort to help them find good jobs.
Wu Jinxin is a senior student at Guangdong University of Technology. He is currently taking a training course at an aircraft maintenance company. Wu's training experience was made possible by a college project called "3 plus 1." Participating students spend a year working at a company after three years in college.
"The project enables us to step into the industry before graduating, and that's quite helpful when we start to look for jobs. Just studying at school is not enough," Wu said.
Wu's university started the project back in 2011. Every year, 300 students can apply for a spot. After graduation, students can choose to stay at the company they trained at or look for other jobs. Participating companies say the project has helped them find qualified employees.
"We have spent 2 million yuan training students since the project started, we even have a training center for the recruits. So far the project has helped us recruit 120 graduates. They're all very good," said Wu Rongxin, deputy GM of Guangzhou Aircraft Manitenance Engineering Co.
Projects like "3 plus 1" are helping boost graduate recruitment. At a teleconference on graduate employment, Premier Li Keqiang urged governments at all levels and colleges to make every effort to ensure a stable employment rate. That involves more cooperation with employers, as well as creating jobs by encouraging entrepreneurship.
The government has implemented policies to support entrepreneurs across China. Startups receive tax cuts, low-interest loans, and other benefits. A report released by a major Chinese recruitment website found that only 3 percent of this year's graduates will start their own business, down from 6 percent last year.
Officials say the recent downturn is part of a growing trend of students learning a trade before starting off on their own.
"Actually most of students now choose to work for three to five years first, before starting their own business. They need time to gather money and experience, that's reasonable," said Mi Yinjun, deputy CPC Secretary of Guangdong University of Technology.
The official said entrepreneurship is an important engine for job creation, but added that students should always be practical when making a career choice.
