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AN INCREASING number of foreign and local hi-tech companies are answering the call from the central government for greater research and development (R&D) to be carried out in China.

Beijing's push for innovation comes as the country's labour costs are increasing and other Asian countries, where labour costs are still relatively low, are beginning to attract more low-tech, labour-intensive manufacturing to their shores.

Hi-tech firms such as Motorola, data storage firm EMC and micromotor manufacturer Johnson Electric Group are among those leading the charge.

Motorola recently announced it would hire 1,000 engineers in China this year, while EMC said it was planning to invest US$500 million over the next five years.

To help it maintain its position as a leader in innovation, Johnson Electric has been investing heavily in R&D for the past three years.

This year, the Hong Kong firm is looking for senior engineers and business development managers.

It needs more than 50 senior engineers, quality engineers, project managers, human resources staff, financial staff and business development managers.

The company recruits about 300 people each year and mainland recruits usually fill entry-level engineering positions.

Horace Man Shun-ho, Johnson Electric Group senior vice-president of human resources, said the company was looking for specialists and senior staff due to a lack of experience on the mainland.

Engineers who specialise in plastic moulding, motor design, gearbox operations and winding are being sought. In particular, the company is looking for engineers who are innovative.

Senior engineers need at least five to 10 years of experience, and candidates with overseas experience will have an advantage.

'We need people who are flexible and innovative to help us maintain our place in this challenging environment,' Mr Ho said, adding that although the firm preferred to recruit engineering degree-holders, it also accepted those with MBAs and science degrees.All successful senior engineers will need to take a psychometric test when they are hired to see where their capabilities lie, and those with strong interpersonal skills have the chance to go to management level.

'While we only require candidates for engineering positions to be innovative, people for management positions need to have strong leadership and inspirational skills,' Mr Ho said.

People looking to fill management positions need to have at least five to eight years of experience.

One of the non-technical skills senior engineers and managers must have is the ability to speak English. The company puts all mainland staff through an intensive English-language programme.

Mr Ho said Hong Kong job seekers would have an advantage in recruitment and promotion.

Most recruits are based in the company's Shenzhen factory, although some are located in Shanghai.'Johnson Electric's reputation as a market leader in China, and in career advancement opportunities, are the company's biggest recruitment drawcards,' Mr Ho said.

While there is a retention problem, as staff are highly sought by other companies, particularly in Shenzhen, Johnson Electric manages to keep most of its staff through ongoing training programmes.

The company offers technical and soft skills courses at its Johnson University. A bachelor's and master's degree in motor engineering is jointly awarded by the Johnson University and the Southeast University.

Mr Ho said positions often opened up for star performers and academic achievers in the company's European and North American offices.

He said China would always be an important manufacturing base due to its large pool of qualified workers and its emphasis on innovation.

Mr Ho said that there had never been a better time to join the company.

'We are a very strong brand name in China and people who join us are sure to see their careers grow with the company.'

Positions on offer

Johnson Electric Group seeks senior engineers, business development managers, financial staff and HR managers

Engineers who are innovative and have English-language skills are most in demand

Successful recruits are offered ongoing training opportunities



Opportunities in innovation