CUHK grads fare worst in university jobs poll

The unemployment rate of graduates was found to be the highest at the Chinese University of Hong Kong at 3.6 percent, according to a University Grants Committee survey of 19,000 joining the workforce from the eight government-funded institutions last year.

This was much higher than an average of 2.2 percent, which in turn was down from the 3 percent in 2020.

Lingnan University had the second highest jobless rate at 3.4 percent, while the University of Hong Kong was the lowest at 1.3 percent.

At the end of last year, 73 percent of the graduates overall were employed full time, while 16 percent chose to pursue further studies. Both figures were similar to 2020.

Graduates from the eight institutions last year are earning an average monthly income of HK$23,400, or 5.6 percent more than HK$22,166 the year before.

HKU alumni earned the most with an average monthly salary of HK$29,000, followed by around HK$26,000 by CUHK and Education University graduates.

By profession, students with medical, dental and nursing degrees predictably earn the highest average pay of around HK$40,500, followed by those with education degrees at HK$27,000 and then science at HK$21,400.

Suen Lap-man, a director at human resources firm Watson Consultancy, said the manpower shortage in health-care-related industries has worsened with the Covid pandemic, causing both public and private sectors to enhance salaries to compete for talent.

He added that the information technology industry is one of the most promising industries in Hong Kong, as innovative technology has been a big priority for the SAR administration.

Suen also said that the current emigration wave has led to companies offering higher wages to recruit talents and fill up vacancies, with especial demand for frontline and experienced middle-level employees.

"Those who emigrated are mainly from the middle class, where they usually are at management level and are key [members] of the companies," Suen said.

Catering and retail businesses may also see a revival this year despite the ongoing pandemic.

"We can see that some chain restaurants are actively recruiting this year," Suen said. "The government is relaxing social distancing rules step by step, and rents are now cheaper than before the pandemic."

The retail industry is also looking forward to a border reopening in the coming months.

Apart from Hong Kong, Suen also advised local graduates to seek opportunities in the Greater Bay Area, noting that more graduates were looking for jobs in the mainland this year.

IT talents were the most sought after in the GBA, where job offers are better than in here in terms of variety and career prospects, he said.

"The monthly median income in the Greater Bay Area can actually reach HK$18,000, and it is higher than that for fresh graduates in Hong Kong, which is normally HK$16,000 to HK$17,000," the HR expert said.