Shenzhen to offer 610 job positions to HK, Macao graduates

Public service organizations in cities across Guangdong plan to recruit 4,722 young graduates from the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions this year, representing more than 35% of its total recruitment efforts, according to a China Daily report.

Among the cities expected to participate, Shenzhen is expected to offer more than610 job positions, the highest of any city in the province.

The Human Resources and Social Security Department of Guangdong has indicated that these job opportunities will be available in various fields, including education, healthcare, sports, media, libraries, and museums.

Many roles are specifically designed for graduates from Hong Kong and Macao, such as positions in local communication and trade centers that foster connections with these regions, incubators for entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macao, and management roles for local fishermen who have residency in these administrative areas.

The application process kicked off last month, with eligible candidates scheduled to take a written exam later this month. Since 2020, public institutions in Guangdong have increasingly targeted recruitment efforts toward young graduates from Hong Kong and Macao. In 2021, the provincial government initiated measures that allowed fresh graduates from these regions to take part in recruitment programs set up by public service organizations. Applicants must be permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macao to qualify.

One notable success story is that of Lin Jiaxin, a civil engineer from Hong Kong who applied for a position in 2021. He joined the construction center in Guangzhou's Nansha District in January 2022.

Although Lin noted that the salary was lower than what he could earn in Hong Kong, he was drawn to the job for its potential to provide valuable on-site professional knowledge. He anticipates further involvement in significant infrastructure projects, which he believes will enhance his practical experience.

To bolster career development for Hong Kong youth in the Greater Bay Area, the Hong Kong government introduced the pilot Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme in 2021. This initiative offers a monthly allowance of HK$10,000 (US$1,276) to qualifying businesses for each young person they hire, for a maximum of 18 months.

Starting this year, the scheme has been expanded to enable companies to also deploy young employees to work in Hong Kong or mainland cities outside the Greater Bay Area.

During a recent visit to Guangdong, Hong Kong's Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Alice Mak Meikuen, emphasized the importance of encouraging young people in Hong Kong to take advantage of opportunities presented by the Greater Bay Area's development.

She stated that the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau will continue collaborating closely with Guangdong's Human Resources and Social Security Department to promote youth innovation and entrepreneurship.

Wang Qing, a professor at the School of Government at Sun Yat-sen University, highlighted the need for systematic improvement in retaining and developing cross-border talent in the Greater Bay Area. He called for a new governance framework that would facilitate talent attraction, retention, nurturing, and mobility.

As Shenzhen steps up to play a pivotal role in this recruitment initiative, it not only positions itself as a hub for talent from Hong Kong and Macao but also aims to foster a dynamic environment that enriches professional opportunities and boosts collaboration within the Greater Bay Area.