A new national survey on the employment of China's graduates in
2005 was released on February 13, said the China Youth
Daily on February 13.
It is an important part of "Development of Higher Education and
the Labor Market in China"– the main research task of the previous
five years – led by Prof Yue Changjun, vice dean of the Education
and Economy Department at Peking
University.
The survey, which included 34 universities and colleges in 16
provinces, involved 21,220 graduates. Of those interviewed 78.5
percent are regular college students and 16.6 percent graduates
from training colleges.
This is the second time Professor Yue has led the national
survey on the employment of China's graduates. The previous survey
was in June 2003. A number of new trends are identified in the
survey:
Average monthly income increases.
According to the survey in 2003 graduates valued the room for
personal development most and after that came income and
welfares.
Income provides the key indicator and reflects the general
employment position. Compared with the survey of 2003 the latest
findings show the average monthly income has reached 1,588 yuan
(US$198.5), 37 yuan (about US$4.6) higher than before.
The 2005 survey shows that 20.3 percent of graduates earn less
than 1,000 yuan (US$125) a month – 20.6 percent lower than the 2003
figure. Students whose monthly incomes are between 1,001 yuan (over
US$125) and 2,000 yuan (US$250) now stand at 65.4 percent – an
increase of 19.9 percent.
The survey indicates that education is directly linked to the
level of salary which can be achieved. A higher education is
reflected in the "take home" salary.
The average monthly income for students from professional
training colleges is 1,333 yuan (US$166.6). Graduates from
universities achieve 1,549 yuan (US$193.6). Students with a
Master's or a higher degree can expect between 2,674 yuan
(US$334.3) and 2,917 yuan (US$364.6).
Compared with the 2003 survey the average monthly income of
those with a Master's or a higher degree has fallen while salaries
of other graduates have increased slightly.
The survey shows joint ventures and research institutes pay the
highest salaries to their new recruits with state owned enterprises
and private companies taking second spot while those working in
education come third.
Smaller locations preferred
The level of competition for employment in big cities is so
fierce that many graduates choose to seek work in some smaller
towns and rural areas.
The figures show that 27.4 percent of students prefer to work in
towns and the smaller cities. Rural areas appeal to 1.9 percent of
graduates while 70.7 percent remain in municipalities – this figure
is 5.9 percent down on 2003.
State-owned enterprises, schools and private companies are the
top choices of graduates. The figures for these three preferred
places of employment are 29.7 percent, 19.3 percent and 16.3
percent respectively. And the figures for the level of interest in
joint ventures, state organizations and research institutes are 9.5
percent, 9.2 percent and 4.7 percent respectively.
The number of students wishing to gain entry to private
enterprises is on the increase.? However, they have many
concerns when applying for the posts in private enterprises since
the Chinese insurance system for public health, retirement pensions
and the like need to be improved.
Schools the most important information
source
According to the survey, information available from schools
remains an important resource for college students. About 47
percent of graduates indicated the most valuable and reliable
information was provided by school's vocational guidance
center.
Students – 3.8 percent – believe they can get enough information
from the vocational guidance center while 59.4 percent felt the
information provided is was only adequate. However, 36.8 percent
disagreed with that finding. Compared with 2003 the level of
dissatisfaction had dropped by 12.1 percent.
The success of "Job Fairs" has grown with 16.4 percent of people
finding jobs through their attendance at such events. This is a
rise of 8.8 percent on 2003.
(China.org.cn by Wang Ke, February 15, 2006)