Guiyang and Gui'an attract 311,000 graduates in 2 years

A job fair takes place in Guiyang. [Photo/Guiyang Development and Reform Commission]

Guiyang city and Gui'an New Area are busy hiring college graduates, in an initiative that kicked off in late 2021.

The initiative aims to retain and attract college graduates for the purposes of employment and entrepreneurship and it had successfully drawn 311,000 graduates from within and from outside the province by the end of last year.

The focus is on establishing mechanisms, providing job opportunities, policies and services.

A collaborative framework involving city leaders and departments supports 75 colleges in Guizhou, implementing tailored services for each institution. Additionally, partnerships with 28 in-province and 43 out-of-province colleges facilitate job placements.

Key industries – like the digital technology sector, healthcare, manufacturing, early childhood education and data centers – have formed educational alliances with local universities and colleges.

Guiyang has also established the province's first city-wide industrial and educational alliance, concentrating on big data.

Efforts to provide job opportunities have been robust. Last year, 199,100 job positions were posted for graduates, with an additional 92,300 positions in the first four months of this year. Engagements with 587 companies have expanded job opportunities – including visits to 16 cities and 20 colleges outside Guizhou to recruit talent.

Policy support includes financial incentives, housing and public services. In 2023 alone, over 110 million yuan ($15.16 million) in subsidies and rewards were distributed, benefiting thousands of young people.

Moving forwards, Guiyang and Gui'an are continuing to expand and enhance their services, offering regular career guidance and skills training. They've established 10 employment and entrepreneurship service stations and numerous training bases. This year, they aim to attract an additional 130,000 college graduates to support local economic growth.