King's College London

King's Careers & Employability, in partnership with the China-Britain Business Council, today hosted a national conference discussing the latest trends in the Chinese graduate labour market and how British universities can work to support Chinese students returning for work to the Chinese mainland after their UK studies.

It is the latest in the department's work showcasing how it supports international students across key international markets, an area of critical concern for universities in an increasingly challenging global labour market.

Welcoming over 45 delegates from 35+ UK universities and business schools, the event also involved employer representatives from JD.com, Haier, HSBC amongst others, sharing their reflections on skills, culture, recruitment and the value of preparing graduates to return to China, in a panel chaired by King's Associate Director (Employer Engagement & Work-based Learning), Andrew Wright.

Alongside sessions from Zhaopin, one of China's leading job platforms, King's Employer Relations & Development Manager, Phil Hardcastle also joined panellists from UEA, Lancaster and Sheffield discussing King's efforts in this space, which have won great acclaim across the sector.

King's Careers & Employability last month won 'Graduate Initiative of the Year' at the inaugural UK-China Business Awards, topping off a season of awards success for the department, who were also named HE Careers & Employability Team of the Year at this year's targetjobs National Emerging Talent Awards in April, and saw a record 11 finalists for the targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year, the 'Graduate Employability Initiative of the Year' Award recognises a university or organisation which has demonstrated exceptional commitment to preparing Chinese graduates for successful, meaningful careers.

King's 'Careers in China’ programme has existed since 2018, building a portfolio of networking, experiential and skills-based activity which spans from offer holder engagement - to build their skills and CV before they commence at King’s - and culminates with the UK’s largest suite of in-country careers fairs which continue again this August in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong SAR.