Helping the jobless gain the skillsneeded to find meaningful jobs
Print Edition
DESPITE economic growth, finding a job can still be a difficult process, particularly for young men without skills.
The Jing’an district four years ago initiated a work-study program aimed at helping the jobless and the less educated to learn skills for jobs in demand. It’s sort of vocational education and on-the-job training rolled into one.
Participants work part-time in their selected trades, in between taking classes. Once they complete classes and receive skills certification, a sponsoring company will hire them.
“This is a chance to learn skills while working to earn some money,” said Sun Yilei, a career specialist in the district.
To date, 160 young men have been enrolled in the program and more than 50 companies have joined, helped by government subsidies.
Xu Yijie, 20, is a recent recruit in the program.
Last year, he finished a major in finance at a polytechnic school, but without a mainstream university degree, he couldn’t get a job. He had no other skills to offer.
“I didn’t want to be kenlaozu,” Xu said, referring to a common expression describing children who live like parasites off their parents. “I applied for tons of jobs. I remember one firm rejected me because I hadn’t graduated from a prestigious school. I went to interview after interview, but never got call-backs.”
Finally, he turned to the Jing’an Employment Promotion Center for help. Working with job counselors, he was advised to study at the Shanghai Zhineng Firefighting School.
After he finishes the course and obtains a skills certificate, Xu will be able to get a job arranged by the Shanghai Property Management Trade Association.
Xu began his new studies earlier this month.
“I used to feel lost,” he said. “But now I can see a future for myself.”
The program is open to young people who aren’t residents of Jing’an.
Wang Renbin, who lives in the Xuhui District, graduated after three years in the program. He received certification as a licensed electrician and senior firefighting manager. He is now director of the engineering department at a commercial complex.
“We need such professionals,” said Pan Xiufeng, assistant manager at Singapore’s Merlion Property Services, which runs the complex.
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