On October 26th, during an interview, Wu Hailiang, Deputy Director of the Human Resources and Social Security Department of Shanxi Province, emphasized the vital role of talent recruitment and retention in the region’s development and its impact on employment and people’s livelihoods. “Cultivating, retaining, attracting, and utilizing talent are not just crucial for Shanxi’s growth; they also directly affect the job market and citizens’ quality of life,” he stated.
The occasion was marked by the 2024 Shanxi-Taiyuan Talent and Intelligence Exchange Conference held in Taiyuan, which saw participation from over 720 colleges, provincial state-owned enterprises, and key companies from within and outside the province. Among them, 605 companies were actively recruiting, offering a total of 25,900 job positions across various fields, including new media, traditional Chinese medicine, and research engineering.
Wu noted that this conference has been a tradition in Shanxi for many years, evolving into the largest and most influential comprehensive talent exchange event in the province. Following the opening ceremony, attendees engaged in recruitment discussions, inter-school collaborations, showcases of entrepreneurial projects and internship opportunities, corporate presentations, and online job fairs.
At the event, public enterprises, important private companies, local talent programs, and key industry chain firms interacted directly with representatives from 83 higher education institutions and vocational schools in Shanxi. A special feature of the conference was the corporate presentation stage, where selected employers live-streamed their job openings and shared insights on talent recruitment policies, job requirements, and compensation for those unable to attend in person.
One of the attendees, Liu Shuai, a master’s student in mechanical engineering at Shanxi Agricultural University, shared, “I’ll be graduating next year and I’m from Changzhi. The scale of this event is impressive, and I want to find a job close to home.” He mentioned that he had already identified two promising state-owned enterprises that align with his qualifications and salary expectations.
In a dedicated area showcasing excellent entrepreneurial projects, 30 standout initiatives from the provincial entrepreneurial project library and the China Creativity Contest were featured. Here, entrepreneurs received consultations about startup policies and potential business collaborations. Additionally, the internship and training project display highlighted the statewide initiatives aimed at promoting internship opportunities for university students, guiding more young people toward careers and entrepreneurship in Shanxi.
Moreover, the conference included a “cloud live broadcast” feature, with sections dedicated to online talent discussions, internship opportunities, and career guidance. This initiative will continue until the end of November, offering a virtual platform for high-quality enterprises to engage in promotional activities and recruitment discussions.
Gao Subin, a recruitment officer from Shanxi Jingke Energy Co., Ltd., said, “We’re primarily looking to fill positions related to equipment technology, such as engineers and technicians. So far, we’ve received over 40 resumes.” He expressed hope that the conference would facilitate meaningful exchanges between companies and job seekers, yielding suitable hires and fulfilling employment needs.
In recent years, Shanxi has vigorously implemented a talent-centric strategy and a priority employment policy, establishing mechanisms and offering services that attract broad public interest. The province’s “1+N” talent policy framework and employment support for graduates have garnered positive feedback, strengthening Shanxi’s development and transformation efforts.
Li Xu, Director of Enrollment and Employment at Taiyuan University of Technology, shared that there are approximately 12,000 graduates this year. Since September, the university has organized nearly 300 job fairs and promotional events, hoping to foster connections between students and enterprises to support high-quality employment outcomes.
Wu Hailiang concluded with an optimistic outlook for the conference’s impact, stating his hopes to build bridges for talent supply and demand, cultivate effective school-enterprise partnerships, highlight successful employment initiatives, and amplify the message of valuing and retaining talent. He aims to attract individuals to Shanxi to collectively pursue career opportunities and establish a positive feedback loop between talent development and economic progress.
