Aussie college offers Chinese students job skills training

A university in Australia has launched a new extra-curricular program for its Chinese students to teach them how to land a job.

The High Achievers' Leadership Program was initiated by UTS: INSEARCH, a pathway provider to the University of Technology, Sydney. The program is free of charge and will select the school's best Chinese students. Students will learn communication, teamwork, networking and interview skills. They will also learn what employers look for in job candidates and how to write an effective resume.

In 2011, there were 242,351 international students enrolled in the higher education sector in Australia, 40.2 percent of which came from China, the largest supplier of students to universities in the nation.

Students must also work for four to seven hours a week over several months. At end of their short-term employment, they will receive a statement from the employer confirming their achievement, which can be included on their resumes.

"We recognize that what really matters to students and their parents beyond a good academic education. They want to know that studying abroad will equip them for a good job, a job with real career prospects, so that they can succeed either here in China, or in an English-speaking business environment," said Andrew Stoner, deputy premier of New South Wales, Australia.

Australia now offers international students the right to work for several years in the country after completing their degree.