Inside the Spring Job Fair of Jingdezhen Ceramic University: Who’s Hiring in 2025?

On-the-Ground Insights into China’s Shifting Job Market

On April 12, 2025, I visited Jingdezhen Ceramic University to attend its annual Spring Job Fair. Despite the rain, the university’s sports field was busy with recruiters and graduates navigating this large-scale, government-sponsored hiring event.

A Rainy Start, But Business as Usual

Though weather conditions were less than ideal—with strong winds blowing over tables, chairs, and promotional banners—the job fair went on. Security teams and traffic police kept order, and companies set up booths under temporary shelters, continuing a tradition that draws attention across the region each spring.

Fewer Booths, Lower Coastal Participation

Compared to last year, the number of participating companies has decreased. I counted fewer than 200 booths this year. Notably, companies from coastal powerhouses like Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Shanghai saw sharp drops in attendance. Last year, about a third of the exhibitors were from Guangdong’s Pearl River Delta. This year, that number shrank to fewer than 20.

And it’s not just numbers—tone and offerings have changed. Last year, many Guangdong firms offered salaries starting above 10,000 RMB with perks like free meals and accommodations. This year, the same companies list more modest figures, ranging between 5,000 and 10,000 RMB.

Local Companies Step Up

In contrast, local companies from Jingdezhen and across Jiangxi Province seem more confident. Before the pandemic, average salaries here hovered around 3,000 RMB. Now, wages have climbed, with many offering starting pay above 5,000 RMB.

One example is Jingdezhen Ceramic Co., Ltd., which offers 4,000 to 8,000 RMB for management trainees. Jingdezhen Lixin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. lists a similar range. These increases reflect growing demand as the city leans into ceramic tourism and industrial tourism, drawing a steady flow of domestic visitors and stimulating the job market.

Regional Trends and Participation

Roughly 80% of participating companies hail from Jiangxi Province—primarily Jingdezhen, Nanchang, and Shangrao. Only 20% come from outside the province. Hunan Province, especially Liling (a ceramic hub), showed increased interest this year, even setting up a dedicated area at the fair.

Meanwhile, fewer than 10 companies attended from Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, and Fujian. Zhejiang and Shanghai booths dropped below 30 in total—some were even left unattended.

As in previous years, government institutions and state-owned enterprises were nearly absent. The vast majority of recruiters were privately-owned companies, many of them small to medium-sized.

Case Example: A Foshan Company

One company from Foshan, Guangdong, offered 4,000 RMB during the probation period, rising to 5,000 RMB after. Just last year, similar companies advertised starting salaries of 10,000 RMB with full benefits. This year’s change in tone is notable—less fanfare, more caution.

Conclusion: What This Fair Reveals

This year’s job fair paints a clear picture:

• Fewer total companies: Just under 200 this year, compared to nearly 200 last year.
• Dominance of private companies: Little presence from government or state-owned sectors.
• Pullback from coastal giants: Fewer companies from Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, and lower wage offers.
• Rising confidence in Jiangxi: Local companies are offering higher wages, reflecting stronger local economic activity.
• Hunan ceramics sector rising: Liling firms showed increased presence and commitment.

Overall, this job fair offers a glimpse into regional labor trends and the state of China’s graduate employment market in 2025. It reflects broader shifts in regional economies and wage expectations in a post-pandemic era.

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