Chinachem Group held a career day to hire people for 500 positions, including 200 for the revitalized Central Market that is to open this year.

The job vacancies included those in property management, food and beverage, customer service, IT and leasing. Recruitment activities for other Chinachem positions took place on the same day, including positions at the first wood fossil museum, Nina Park, and at the group's real estate, hotel, and food and beverage businesses.

The group's director of human resources, Lawrence Hung Yu-yun, said the fair drew an enthusiastic response, with openings in curation, property, and food and beverage management being the most popular options, with starting salaries at the HK$13,000 level.

In total, 350 people came to the fair, with some being interviewed on site.

Hung said those applicants who could not attend the fair in person would be contacted within a week.

An applicant, Lau, who studied tourism-related programs at university and graduated last year, said: "I have sent around 30 to 40 cover letters and attended some interviews but all failed to land me a job. It is difficult to get hired in the same industry I studied for amid the pandemic."

Lau said he would like to find jobs in the hotel industry with a target salary of HK$11,000. He was worried that competition for jobs would intensify as new graduates were about to enter the market.

Wong, a 41-year-old who has been working in the F&B industry for 20 years, said he was forced to take unpaid leave recently. He said that although there were a lot of vacancies in the market, competition was fierce amid high unemployment.

Chinachem chief executive Donald Choi Wun-hing said he hoped the fair would "bring new hope to those whose jobs have been affected by the pandemic."

"The career day welcomes candidates from different sectors and age groups, including ethnic minorities and those with disabilities, reflecting our mission of building a diverse, harmonious and more habitable city," he said.

Chief operating officer Wong Hung-han said the group was aiming to have a Central Market soft launch in August. He added that the group is looking for different development opportunities, including the plot on Caroline Hill Road that was won with Hysan Development last week as well as other renovation projects.

Located on 80 Des Voeux Road, Central Market is Hong Kong's first wet market and is classified as a Grade 3 historic building. The revitalization works on the market began in October 2017.

The Urban Renewal Authority aims to complete the project by 2021/22.

In February, Chinachem was awarded a 10-year contract by the URA, which allowed it to operate the revitalized Central Market.

The developer said its theme for the site would be a "Playground for All" in a bid to turn the former Central Market into a vibrant and bustling place where people from all walks of life can meet, mingle and socialize.

Wong Hung-han, right, and Lawrence Hung Yu-yun.

Chinachem fair brings hope of relief amid job fears