Xinjiang program links interns with companies

A program launched two years ago by the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to offer young people internship opportunities has roped in 1,694 institutions and enterprises across the region so far, and it hopes to bring in as many as 10,000 participants by 2022.

The program, initiated at the beginning of 2019, is open to graduates and young people－especially those from impoverished families－who registered as unemployed or who lack work experience. The internships last from three months to a year.

It plans to ultimately benefit 10,000 young people in the region by setting up a platform to connect job hunters with enterprises, helping them to hone multiple skills in their intern positions and improve their competitiveness in the market.

Yang Tingting applied to join the program last year immediately after her graduation. She became an intern cashier at Shaya Boshiran Smart Agricultural Vehicles, a company that produces farm machinery.

"I've already become a full-time cashier here, and my salary is around 4,000 yuan per month," Yang said.

The region's department of human resources and social security grants subsidies to enterprises and institutions that are willing to be internship hubs. The companies are required to take out accident insurance for the interns and pay them.

Qiu Haiquan, vice-manager of Shaya Boshiran, said that the program helps employers learn about graduates from other areas in the region in a comprehensive way. "For those interns who are sufficiently qualified for their positions, the company will give them a stable job," he added.

Hou Xin, a researcher at Xinjiang's Department of Human Resources and Social Security, said that institutions and enterprises that are located in the region and have a good social reputation and economic returns can apply to join the program.