The emergence and spread of COVID-19 have damaged economies across the world. China’s government recently initiated a series of programs to bring the country’s economy back to full speed. Not only does China intend to bring in more foreign professionals to aid in the rebuilding of the economy, but it also plans to hire foreign professionals previously deemed to be above the maximum age limit of 60. Guangdong province, the province with the largest GDP since 1989 in Mainland China, the first liberal economic powerhouse next to Hong Kong and Macau after  China’s open-door policy in 1978, is now becoming the first province to put forward such a program in China. It’s believed that there may be more provinces which will follow in their footsteps.

Below you will find a translation of the announcement made by the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province as it pertains to the older professionals they are looking to collaborate with via this program:

Specific Criteria

The Silver Age Talent 2020 Pilot Program focuses mainly on retired or soon-to-be-retired high-caliber experts from outside China (foreign experts and experts from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan). In particular, these experts must be under the age of 75 and hold or have held positions equal to associate professors or senior researcher (or above) in renowned schools, universities, scientific research institutes, and/or laboratories, and are polite, well-experienced, and physically fit. For talented persons with outstanding expertise that is much-needed in Guangdong Province, the criteria for age, education, and professional status may be appropriately relaxed.

The Categorization of Talent

"Silver Age Talent" is divided into three groups of science, technology and management according to their specific fields and related experience. Science experts should generally be experts or researchers who have held positions equal to associate professors and above within renowned colleges, universities, scientific research institutes, and laboratories abroad. Technical experts needed are skilled people who participate (have engaged) technology research and development with market-leading businesses, have a wealth of experience, and are familiar with relevant business growth. Tech experts could also be well-versed in the protection of proprietary intellectual property rights and master core technologies. Management experts needed are executives who have held senior roles with world-famous businesses, financial institutions, other associated technology companies, and international organizations.

The Employment Opportunity

This year's pilot program promotes the inclusion of 'elderly experts' on a full-time basis. Employers in Guangdong Province are allowed to enter into legally binding employment contracts (agreements) of two years or more with experts who previously would not qualify for a work visa due to the maximum age limit.  The contract shall expire no earlier thanJun 30th, 2021 and the period of service in the province of Guangdong shall be no less than 6 months. The contract can be extended if necessary, provided that a further application is filed upon renewal of the contract for inclusion in this pilot program.

Employers can set the job requirements and manner of work of the "Silver Age Experts" in a flexible manner as required for their circumstances and determine the stipulations of their work contracts accordingly.

Implementation Goals

Focusing on the nine fields of new generation IT, high-end equipment manufacturing, green and low-carbon, biomedicine, digital technology, new materials, the marine economy, the modern seed industry and precision farming and modern engineering technology, priority support will be given to the jobs of foreign high-quality talented people in Guangdong Province who come from the ten strategic pillars. "Elderly experts" are directed and encouraged to nurture talented teams, share scientific research expertise, facilitate disciplinary development, and develop forums for international cooperation in Guangdong and other provinces.

Interested? Apply today!

If you or someone you know may be interested in this opportunity or if you have any questions, reach out to us at expert@foreignhr.com. There are many opportunities available for those over the age of 60 via the “Silver Age Talent” program. We look forward to hearing from you soon!