Shanghai Thirsty for High-Level Talents

Shanghai is looking outside for talents to fill the big shortage of workers in the high-tech and education sectors in its strides 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 bio-engineering.

The municipal government is drafting a series of new policies to lure more global talents in - some of them for the first time. 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), 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 top 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.

Lu said 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.

"They are more aware of the global rules and standards which will help the city's business operation cope with global challenges," said Lu.

Shanghai has churned out a series of enticements including pay increases, accommodation and holiday subsidies, along with other favourable 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," Lu said, 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," said Lu.



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