Search for skilled workers moves inland

15 january 2013

Shift from coastal regions creates vacancies in central, western China

China’s fast-developing economy is thirsty for talent, with skilled workers required by almost every industry.

The nation’s human resources market experienced uneven development in 2012, akin to the pattern of its economic growth.

Central, western and northeastern regions of the country were expected to notch up faster GDP growth in 2012 than their eastern counterparts, according to the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planning agency.

 

Demand for human resources increased 11.3 percent in central regions and 8.6 percent in western regions in the third quarter of 2012, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. [Photo / China Daily]

 

Many businesses, previously located in coastal regions, have started to move inland in the past few years, in search of lower raw material and labor costs.

The shift has also created many job vacancies in central and western China.

“It is a general trend for businesses to move to inland areas. As a result, there is a growing demand for human resources,” said Zhang Hong, vice-president of Aon Hewit, a US provider of human capital and management consulting services.

Experienced managers are the most sought after group of potential hires in inland areas, which only developed a few years ago and have a small human resource pool, Zhang said.

Demand for human resources increased 11.3 percent in central regions and 8.6 percent in western regions in the third quarter of 2012, according to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

Demand declined in eastern parts of the country.

Zhang said that, due to the short supply and huge demand for human resources, wages will continue to rise in inland regions and may even exceed salaries in eastern regions.