In spring, the job market enters an active period. Analysis of spring recruitment data from various human resources and social security departments and service agencies shows that in the first quarter of 2026, industries representing new quality productive forces—such as advanced materials, next-generation information technology, and new energy vehicles—exhibited significantly active hiring demand.

Strong Recruitment Demand in New Quality Industries

Significant Growth in R&D and Technical Roles

According to recruitment data, several technology-driven sectors within the new quality productive forces saw rapid increases in job openings. Among them:

— Robotics and new materials sectors saw job numbers rise by over 30% year-on-year, the most notable increase;

— Optoelectronics and artificial intelligence sectors saw job numbers grow by nearly 20% year-on-year;

— Aerospace and shipbuilding sectors experienced a 20% year-on-year increase in recruitment positions;

— New energy vehicle parts sector saw job numbers rise by over 10% year-on-year.

In terms of salaries, industries related to new quality productive forces demonstrated their urgent demand for talent with substantial compensation. Among them:

— Robotics, new materials, and optoelectronics led the top three, with average monthly recruitment salaries exceeding 10,000 yuan;

— Artificial intelligence engineers had an average monthly recruitment salary of 20,804 yuan;

— Chip engineers, mobile development, and software development followed, with salaries of 17,790 yuan, 16,624 yuan, and 15,816 yuan, respectively.

From a city-level recruitment perspective, industries related to new quality productive forces show a clear pattern of “one high, one fast”:

— “High” refers to cities like Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, where the proportion of positions in new quality industries is relatively high, at 7.4%, 4.8%, and 4.6%, respectively;

— “Fast” refers to rapid growth and strong momentum, with positions in Wuhan, Suzhou, and Nanjing growing by 28.3%, 24.8%, and 20.5%, respectively.

Recruitment platform staff noted that new quality industry hiring in the first quarter of this year exhibited two distinct characteristics:

— Concentrated demand: Rapid growth in core chain positions such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, and new materials;

— Chain interaction: From upstream material R&D to midstream equipment manufacturing and downstream complete machine integration, the full industrial chain’s talent demand is being simultaneously activated, reflecting a trend of coordinated industrial ecosystem development.

An in-depth look at the employment structure of new quality industries reveals particularly prominent growth in R&D and technical roles. Data shows that recruitment for automotive manufacturing/design engineer positions increased by over 30% year-on-year, the fastest growth rate among all positions, reflecting the continuous investment in R&D talent within the new energy vehicle industry amid technological upgrades and capacity expansion.

Meanwhile, clinical research/trial positions, AI engineer positions, and semiconductor/chip engineer positions have maintained stable and rapid growth.

What Does the “Talent Profile” Favored by New Quality Enterprises Look Like?

Recently, multiple university job fairs have been held across various regions. It was observed that new quality industry enterprises are releasing high demand for R&D positions. What kind of talent is favored by these enterprises?

Data indicates that when recruiting, new quality industry enterprises generally require high academic qualifications with a science or engineering background. In cutting-edge fields such as aerospace and biotechnology, graduates from top-tier universities are particularly favored.

In terms of majors, computer science and technology, mechanical design, manufacturing and automation, electrical engineering and automation, software engineering, and electronic information engineering rank among the top five most in-demand majors. These align closely with the technical needs of industries like next-generation information technology, high-end manufacturing, and new energy, making them the primary targets for enterprises actively seeking talent.

Overall, although different new quality industries have varying focuses on specific majors, fields such as computer software, mechanics, electrical engineering, electronics, and automation are generally highly valued by enterprises. These majors form the common knowledge base and primary source of technical talent for new quality industries.

New Quality Enterprises Still Face Shortage of Key Core Technical Talent

While overall demand is rising, recruitment data shows that a number of key core technical positions remain “many positions, few candidates,” indicating a talent shortage.

Zhejiang: Three Cities Release Lists of In-Demand Skilled Trades

Previously, the cities of

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for much of the last 800 years, most notably during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and is home to iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it stands as a vibrant modern metropolis, blending ancient cultural heritage with rapid contemporary development.

Shenzhen

Shenzhen is a major city in southern China, known for its rapid transformation from a small fishing village into a global technology and innovation hub. Its modern history began in 1979 when it was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone, which spurred explosive economic growth and urbanization. Today, it is a vibrant metropolis famous for its skyscrapers, tech companies like Huawei and Tencent, and cultural landmarks such as the Dapeng Fortress, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global financial hub and one of China’s most populous cities, located on the eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Its history as a prominent port city began in the 19th century, when it became a treaty port and a center for international trade, leading to the establishment of foreign concessions that shaped its unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture and culture. Today, it is known for its modern skyline, including landmarks like the Bund and the Oriental Pearl Tower, alongside historic areas that reflect its colonial past.

Wuhan

Wuhan, the capital of Hubei Province in central China, is a major industrial, educational, and transportation hub situated at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers. Historically, it emerged from the merger of three cities—Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang—and was a key site of the 1911 Xinhai Revolution that ended imperial rule in China. In modern times, Wuhan gained global attention as the first city to report COVID-19 cases in late 2019, leading to a historic lockdown that shaped the global pandemic response.

Suzhou

Suzhou, located in Jiangsu Province, China, is a historic city renowned for its classical gardens, canals, and silk industry. Dating back over 2,500 years, it flourished as a cultural and economic hub during the Ming and Qing dynasties, with its gardens—many of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites—reflecting traditional Chinese landscape design. Today, Suzhou seamlessly blends its ancient heritage with modern development, remaining a popular destination for its preserved water towns and artistic traditions.

Nanjing

Nanjing, located in eastern China, served as the capital of several Chinese dynasties, including the Ming Dynasty and the Republic of China, and is renowned for its rich cultural heritage. The city is home to historic landmarks such as the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum and the Confucius Temple, reflecting its long history as a political and cultural hub. Today, Nanjing is a vibrant modern city that preserves its ancient traditions while playing a key role in China’s development.

Zhejiang

Zhejiang is a coastal province in eastern China known for its rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Historically, it was a key center of trade and culture during the Song Dynasty, with cities like Hangzhou serving as the imperial capital. Today, it is famous for landmarks such as West Lake, the ancient water town of Wuzhen, and the birthplace of the Communist Party of China in Jiaxing.