Graduate Dong Bo promised his parents that he would find work in Beijing when he left their Hebei province home after the Spring Festival.

But the 22-year-old is now among thousands of graduates considering work in the country after being rejected for city jobs amid the global financial crisis.

Dong said he has been interested in employment policies aimed at encouraging graduates to find jobs in smaller cities and the country.

"I could work anywhere now, including my hometown, rural areas or less developed regions," the Beijing University of Chemical Technology graduate said.

A new list of 50 graduate jobs in social management and public services at sub-county level departments was unveiled by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security yesterday.

Successful applicants will be involved in human resources, social security, agriculture, technology, health, culture, law, civil affairs and the environment.

Those who stay in the roles for at least three years will receive financial subsidies or preferential treatment in graduate school entrance exams and public service tests later.

"These offers are attractive to graduates," Dong said. "The employment measures are practical and help many of us get employed."

Dong said he had sat several job recruitment tests but failed to pass one.

"You can't imagine how many students now want to work as a cunguan (village chief)," he said.

"These grassroots positions are getting very popular and it is not easy to get one now."

The State Council pledged in January to find new ways to help university graduates find jobs. Students are now encouraged to work in less developed areas, in small or private companies, to join the army or start their own businesses.

Universities were asked to expand their job placement services and local governments have begun recruitment campaigns.

Liaoning province has created 10,000 grassroots managerial positions for university graduates.

They earn a monthly wage of least 1,000 yuan ($140) and receive social insurance and housing benefits. In Jiangsu province, graduates who work for three years in less developed areas are reimbursed the cost of their college tuition.

Meanwhile in Fujian province, graduates who work for five consecutive years in a town clinic will receive up to a 7,000 yuan annual payment.

The urban registered unemployment rate is forecast to hit 4.6 percent this year, the worst since 1980.

About 7.1 million graduates will look for jobs this year.

(China Daily May 7, 2009)