Shanghai Thirsty for Professionals

China's largest economic powerhouse, Shanghai, is looking for high-tech personnel all over the world, according to today's China Daily.

To fill the big shortage of workers in the high-tech and education sectors, Shanghai is seeking outside for talents to strengthen its global competitiveness.

The most sought-after are wizards with PhD's who have two years ' working experience in the country where they studied, or have a deep knowledge in the cutting-edge high-tech sectors like software, Internet and bioengineering.

A series of new policies is being drafted by the municipal government, in an attempt to lure more global talents in, the paper said.

Meanwhile, the human resource authorities are considering abolishing the retirement ages of 60 for men and 55 for women to make more use of human resources most needed in the high-tech

sector.

"Shanghai is not running short of employees, only those possessing advanced knowledge," said Lu Min, deputy director of the China Human Resources Market (Shanghai).

The Market is also an agent under the Shanghai Municipal Human Resource Bureau, which is responsible for setting up human resources policy.

Every year, about 40,000 college graduates in Shanghai dive into the job market, with half of them getting a job in the city.

"But the talents are hard to spot," said Lu.

For example, Shanghai needs an estimated 10,000 professionals to develop the IT sector, in particular information, biomedicine and new materials, but graduates every year are only filling 4,000 to 5,000 prospective jobs.

Seeking employees from the global community would help Shanghai adapt to global practices and rules and get ready for foreign competition after China's entry into the WTO, Lu said.

Moreover, Shanghai has churned out a series of enticements including pay increases, accommodation and holiday subsidies, along with other favorable policies to win the hearts of global wizards.

"Foreign talents, students returning from overseas and talented people at home can come to work here without forsaking their residents permits," said Lu.

But he warned the efforts would not be enough. "Even if we can lure them to Shanghai, they will be scared away if the employers fail to provide the terms they promise, such as a good working climate and a comfortable life," the paper quoting Lu as saying.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/