BIZCHINA / Biz Life
Graduates trained as maids
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-07-20 15:19
Thirty-two female university graduates are undergoing a month-long
training course to become housemaids for foreign families.
All of them, aged 21-25, are English majors who have studied for three
years in Hechi University in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which
neighbours Guangdong Province.
The students have high expectations for their new job, which is scheduled
to start later this week.
"By serving foreign families we can practise oral English and learn their
lifestyles. The work environment is attractive," said one of the
trainees, Mo Hui.
Most of the women are from poor rural areas and are used to doing
housework, but the month-long course given by a Filipino expert on
domestic service aims to increase their confidence.
The newly-acquired skills include preparing western food, taking care of
babies, feeding pets, making cocktails and taking care of the elderly.
They have also taken courses on general knowledge about foreign
countries, etiquette and customs.
The salary is attractive: They will earn 1,800 yuan (US$225) a month for
the first two months of probation and 2,000 yuan (US$250) afterwards. One
year later, their salaries could be raised to 3,000 yuan (US$375) or
4,000 yuan (US$500), almost the same as a while-collar worker, according
to Shenzhen Jujiale Home Service Chain Management Co.
"The income is very good for a college graduate. In Nanning, the capital
city of Guangxi, the monthly salary would be less than 1,000 yuan
(US$125)," said Mo Juzhen.
Chen Jian, assistant to the general manager of Jujiale, said demand for
quality housekeepers is increasing.
Government figures show that there are about 10,000 foreign families in
Shenzhen. Some high-income Chinese families are also looking for
qualified tutors to educate their children. "Our well-trained and well
educated domestic helpers target these groups," Chen told China Daily.
Chen said the graduates were chosen from more than 200 applicants. "We
told them repeatedly the hardships of the job. They are optimistic,
confident and we have given them sufficient psychological training."
The company has signed a contract with Hechi University, which will
supply dozens of English major graduates to the company each year, she
added.
China's university enrolment expansion allows more students to go to
university, but millions of graduates face increasing difficulties in
finding a good job.
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
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