Job Fair at Huaibei Normal University Promotes Employment Opportunities for Graduates

On October 16, 2024, Huaibei Normal University in Anhui Province, East China, hosted an employment fair that drew significant participation with more than 183 companies present, offering over 10,000 positions to prospective graduates. This event came at a time when the projected number of college graduates is set to reach 11.79 million, a rise of 210,000 from the previous year.

In light of the increasing number of graduates, Chinese universities are emphasizing the development of micro-majors and vocational training programs in various in-demand fields, notably in artificial intelligence. Over 1,000 high-quality online courses have been introduced as part of a strategic initiative to enhance employment prospects during the graduation period. The Ministry of Education is actively working to assist graduates from less sought-after majors by helping them refine their skills and knowledge to better meet employer expectations, as reported by China National Radio.

To address urgent labor market needs, universities have created 2,654 micro-majors focused on 12 critical areas including artificial intelligence and low-altitude economy, with a target for 74,000 students to graduate from these specialized programs by 2025. On the Smart Education online platform, there are 138 courses available that cater to 33 practical and sought-after majors, as well as additional resources emphasizing application-oriented micro-majors.

Micro-majors are defined as compact curricular offerings focused on specific academic disciplines, blending interdisciplinary approaches and flexibility without conferring formal degrees, although participants can earn certificates upon completion. Research indicates that graduates who engage in micro-majors exhibit a notable increase in their employability, with over 80 percent affirming that their skill set was enhanced, making them more competitive in the job market. The Ministry of Education is also facilitating public employment services during graduation season for those still seeking employment, including opportunities for vocational training and internships while encouraging further education options for new graduates.