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SCMP Reporter

More than 5,800 job seekers  came to City Hall yesterday despite heavy rain for 3,200 vacancies  offered  at a two-day government job fair.

About 1,800 openings were targeted at degree holders, while the rest were open to people with lower qualifications.

Fifty-one companies ranging from the aviation industry and information technology to the financial sector took part, many offering salaries ranging from $8,000 to $13,000 a month, sharply up on last year's figures.

The police force was offering one of the most attractive packages,  with vacancies for an inspector with a university degree  paying $24,810.

It was the force's first recruitment programme since a blanket ban on hiring was relaxed in April.

A recruitment moratorium had been in place for several years in response to the budget deficit.

Senior Inspector Dustin Ng Hon-wah, of the recruitment division, said the police would hire 1,200 constables and 51 inspectors in the coming year.

'We aim to spread out the message that we are doing a large-scale recruitment programme,' Senior Inspector Ng said.

'The job fair provides a good opportunity and we see many university graduates come in for inquiries.'

Police figures from last year show that 45 per cent of applicants were degree holders.

Flight attendant openings were also attracting a lot of attention.

Maria Yu Chi-sum,  corporate communication manager of Cathay Pacific, said the company would employ 800 flight attendants in the coming year, with basic salaries and allowances of $12,000.

The 800 vacancies were a drop from last year's 1,200.

Miss Yu said the number of vacancies depended on the fleet. 'We had several new aircraft arrive last year and boosted the number,' she said.

And top graduates were not their only target - Cathay is also willing to  take Form Five graduates.

'The qualification is not the most important consideration,' Miss Yu said. 'We always look for applicants who suit the company and the positions.'

University graduates  agreed that a degree did not necessarily mean getting a job was easy.

Kwan Ching-yin, 23, graduated from the Open University last month but has yet to find  employment.

'I don't think I can get a job today,' he said. 'Most companies ask you to fill in an application form and then you have to go home and wait. There are no interviewing sections in a job fair.'

An adviser from the Labour Department, Fronde Lui Wai-fong,  said she was optimistic about the labour market for graduates.

More than 1,600 vacancies for university graduates were available through the Labour Department last month,  with nearly 30 per cent offering salaries above $10,000.

'Employers are showing a strong desire to enhance their manpower,' she said.

The job fair will continue at City Hall today with a further 25 companies taking part.



Police a force to be reckoned with in job market