Chongqing - "We need to guide young people to find the right track in life so that they can be more productive," said Tan Li, deputy to the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress and director of the neighborhood committee of Longzhu Community in Yunfeng Subdistrict, Kaizhou District, Chongqing, ahead of the upcoming Chongqing Two Sessions in 2025.

Tan Li (left) collaborates with local youth to livestream and promote the sale of local agricultural products. (Photo/Tan Li)

At the Second Session of the Sixth Chongqing Municipal People's Congress in 2024, Tan suggested focusing on youth employment and income to promote the coordination of education and training. 

Tan's research revealed that industrial sectors struggled to recruit frontline workers, particularly construction materials and garment manufacturing. She attributed this to an oversupply of young labor, mismatched job market demand, and a lack of clarity among youth about career prospects and employment opportunities.

She suggested setting up youth entrepreneurship and employment service centers to provide job guidance and monitor labor trends. Tan also recommended financial incentives for agricultural colleges to offer rural e-commerce programs and encourage students to start e-commerce ventures in their hometowns, along with funding and tax benefits for related training institutions.

Additionally, she urged for closer integration between vocational education, industrial parks, and businesses, proposing training bases for teachers, students, and employees to promote stronger collaboration and regional economic growth.

Her submitted motion has received strong support from key government departments, including the Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau and Chongqing Municipal Education Commission, who have thoroughly addressed it.

The Chongqing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau reports that employment service centers have been set up at all levels to support youth entrepreneurship and employment. Job stations in popular areas offer advice, quality listings, and recruitment services. Districts are also encouraged to create "youth employment plazas" to assist young people, especially college graduates.

Tan Li (center) and a volunteer promote policies to local elderly residents while learning about their living conditions and listening to their needs. (Photo/Tan Li)

In recent years, Chongqing has increased funding for vocational training, focusing on developing high-quality young farmers. In 2023, 21,000 farmers were trained, including 7,731 young people, or 38.6% of the total. The city has also boosted night market economies, creating youth-themed markets to support employment and entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, in the first quarter of 2024, 45,600 people received subsidized vocational training. The training model focuses on market needs, with integrated programs like "Employers + Training + HR Services" to streamline job searches and hiring.

In 2024, 59 recruitment events were held in Kaizhou, Tan's area, resulting in 24,400 job agreements. Local labor brands like Kaizhou Golden Chef have helped over 40,000 people secure jobs.

"As a grassroots representative, I've worked to explore and learn at the community level, aiming to contribute to better employment for the people," said Tan. As the 2025 Chongqing Two Sessions approach, Tan remains steadfast in her mission to drive cross-department collaboration, create opportunities, and improve livelihoods, ensuring that employment and community well-being remain at the heart of Chongqing's development.