China Issues New Employment Guidelines
With a record-breaking 12.22 million university graduates expected in 2025, China has issued a comprehensive employment guideline to address growing youth unemployment concerns. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security jointly held a meeting in Beijing to coordinate strategies for graduate employment and entrepreneurship.
Education Minister Huai Jinpeng emphasized the need to align academic programs with labor market demands during his recent visit to Shanxi province. The newly issued guideline encourages universities to launch new disciplines aligned with regional development priorities, technological advancements, and national strategies. Programs with low employment rates will receive “red” or “yellow” warning cards to prompt updates.
The guideline advocates for career education to be incorporated throughout university programs, offering career planning competitions, internships, and preparatory resources. To boost hiring, the government will provide incentives to companies and promote flexible employment options. Moreover, discriminatory hiring practices based on university background, gender, or hometown, including phrases like “985 and 211 project graduates only,” have been banned from job listings.
Additionally, the government plans to host recruitment events for the education sector, aiming to create over 180,000 job opportunities for the class of 2025. The guideline not only aims to secure quality employment opportunities for graduates but also encourages entrepreneurship as a viable career path.