MOE launches one-on-one aid campaign to support Hubei’s HEI graduate start-ups and employment

In a bid to stabilize the employment of fresh graduates from HEIs in Hubei province and to offer them practical assistance in seeking jobs or establishing start-ups, the MOE issued a circular on April 8, announcing the launch of a one-on-one aid campaign designed to address graduate employment issues by pairing up HEIs in Hubei with other establishments across the country.

Giving full consideration to the types of universities and colleges, their graduate employment statistics and the needs of aid recipients, the MOE compiled a list of 48 HEI pairs that would be the first to implement the scheme. Among the aid-giving HEIs, 34 are directly affiliated with state-level ministries and commissions (including 30 MOE-affiliated ones), 4 are affiliated with provincial-level government organs and 10 are demonstrative tertiary vocational institutions. The aid-receiving HEIs in Hubei contain 8 universities and colleges that are directly affiliated with state-level ministries and commissions (including 7 MOE-affiliated ones), 30 that are affiliated with provincial-level government organs, and 10 higher vocational schools. The campaign will last from April to September, which may be adjusted as necessary depending on progress in epidemic control.

The HEI pairs will, on the basis of adequate consultation, work together to identify their work objectives and specific aid measures. Six cooperative mechanisms will be established: (1) Sharing of hiring and recruitment information, to help graduates in aid-receiving HEIs get a larger amount of more precise job information as well as relevant services. (2) Cooperation in opening up new employment channels, by directing useful resources of aid-giving HEIs to aid-receiving HEIs and mobilizing alumni and employer support. (3) Joint provision of information consultation and employment guidance, to improve aid recipients’ capability of employment guidance. (4) Sharing of quality educational resources, to open up more internship and career readiness opportunities for graduate students from aid-receiving HEIs and facilitate their graduation and transition to work. (5) Co-organized start-up training and services, to support the innovative startups by graduates. (6) Collaboration in enhancing graduate employment management, through sharing of experiences, exchange of ideas and methods and joint efforts to protect graduates’ rights and interests.

The 48 pairs of HEIs have now completed the mutual consultation procedure and are preparing aid agreements. The MOE plans to extend the one-on-one aid initiative to other HEIs in Hubei. It will also conduct regular oversight to monitor implementation, gathering and disseminating best practice and experience gained in the process.