On February 28, Yangzhou held its second large-scale comprehensive job fair of the new year. Following the first event on February 25, which garnered extensive media coverage and public attention, the recruitment scene remained highly active, continuing the robust employment momentum seen at the start of the year. Statistics show that nearly 4,000 people attended the job fair, with 54,000 following online, resulting in over 2,000 preliminary employment intentions. The vibrant talent market also reflects new trends: growing demand for skilled workers in high-end manufacturing, fierce competition for talent in emerging industries, increased "reverse brain drain" of graduates returning to their hometowns, and enhanced urban attractiveness. The "employment-friendly" model of job fairs is demonstrating increasingly significant ripple effects.
Emerging industries are surging, with skilled professionals becoming highly sought-after. The booth of Changban Robot Technology was crowded with applicants. "Mechanical design engineer positions require a mechanical engineering background; lathe operator roles are open to those with a secondary vocational education or above, regardless of major," explained the company's HR manager, who quickly reviewed resumes piling up on the table. "Our company is actively exploring humanoid robot actuator products to achieve breakthroughs in application scenarios," the manager noted, adding that recruitment focuses on automation, smart manufacturing, and mechanical processing roles. Beyond humanoid robots, positions in R&D and other technical areas are also in high demand due to rapid advances in advanced manufacturing.
At the fair, 200 employers—including state-owned enterprises, listed companies, specialized SMEs, and high-tech firms—offered over 5,000 quality positions. Fields such as high-end equipment, automotive and parts, next-generation information technology, semiconductors, and new energy showed increased hiring needs, with technical roles leading the trend. "Skilled professionals with expertise and hands-on experience have stronger bargaining power and more stable employment prospects in AI, semiconductors, and smart manufacturing—a trend likely to persist," remarked industry experts, who view the overall job market as stable this year with ongoing structural optimization. Driven by industrial upgrades, emerging sectors like new materials, new energy vehicles, and artificial intelligence continue to generate talent demand, serving as new engines for employment. On-site data indicated that within next-generation IT, the AI industry grew fastest, with a year-on-year increase exceeding 20%.
Job seekers displayed positive attitudes, with "pragmatism" emerging as a key theme. After failing postgraduate entrance exams, a Yangzhou-native civil engineering graduate from Jilin Jianzhu University adjusted his career plans and decided to explore new opportunities at the fair. "Employment prospects are decent; I can start working first and then consider other options," he said. His experience reflects a broader shift in the job market, where applicants are increasingly proactive amid multiple influencing factors. A senior from Ningxia University of Science and Technology, for instance, prioritized job hunting over postgraduate studies or civil service exams, attending multiple fairs to secure employment. "There are many specialized job fairs with diverse openings. I want to broaden my channels and explore various paths," he shared, noting he had already received a实习 offer. With both new graduates and those yet to find employment competing, the job market has intensified. Interviews revealed that this year's graduates are more proactive, diverse, and pragmatic in their choices. "While some students previously delayed employment, we now see stronger job-seeking motivation," a local human resources official observed, adding that employers and candidates alike have clearer expectations, making "pragmatism" a market hallmark.
Hometown appeal is evident, with tangible incentives encouraging talent to return and settle. "The proportion of job seekers preferring local employment continues to rise," a official noted, attributing this to Yangzhou's growing industries creating more opportunities. Lower living costs and proximity to family are also drawing talent back. To retain workers, policies are playing a key role. Government subsidies include a one-time 1,000 yuan interview allowance for non-local graduates, monthly 500 yuan stipends for bachelor's degree holders or above (for three years), annual 6,000 yuan travel and housing subsidies for visits home, monthly living allowances ranging from 500 to 3,500 yuan (for three years) based on education level, and "talent housing vouchers" worth 30,000 to 300,000 yuan. Recruitment managers noted that these concrete measures are boosting corporate vitality. "There's genuine hometown warmth here, with lower costs and better quality of life," current Yangzhou employees turned "talent ambassadors" told fellow graduates, urging them to return and build careers together.
The job fair stood out for its focus on candidate experience. "It's no longer just a crowded event but a carefully curated space shifting from 'job seekers hunting for positions' to 'positions seeking people'," said a graduate from Nanjing Forestry University. He emphasized that job hunting now involves more than simple employer interactions, with continuous policy upgrades and supportive services reflecting Yangzhou's commitment to attracting and nurturing talent.
Services were tailored precisely, transforming the fair into a talent "refueling station." Instead of traditional booths, the venue featured a clear "industry talent map" with 10 dedicated zones—including state-owned enterprises, health and life sciences, next-generation IT, automotive and parts, and services—guiding applicants to targeted opportunities. "It's like having a navigation system for jobs, with entire industry chains laid out clearly," one attendee remarked. This user-friendly approach extended to integrated service areas covering entrepreneurship, social security cards, financial services, career planning, and cultural tourism, as well as consultations on talent apartments and housing subsidies, addressing practical concerns comprehensively. Food stalls, intangible cultural heritage experiences, and interactive activities created a one-stop "employment-service-culture" blend, enhancing engagement. "Recruitment express" services offered policy explanations, career guidance, and job matching on-site. Yangzhou's "He Xiaotong" IP mascot helped promote talent policies, adding a warm touch. Live-streamed job introductions facilitated efficient matching, while smart "求职 machines" enabled digital applications, interviews, and replays, making employment accessible at a touch and ensuring zero-distance information flow.
Across two large fairs, over 10,000 people attended offline, with more than 150,000 online viewers and over 7,000 employment intentions reached.
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