Talent plan drives development of Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone

To better implement the national long-term talent development plan (2010—2020) and meet the demands of the local economy, the Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone has introduced a three-year plan to cultivate a group of talents in areas like aviation, high-end equipment, intelligent manufacturing, finance and insurance, biological medicine and electronic information.

The plan contains five programs for high-end, urgently needed and overseas talents, as well as for entrepreneurs and highly skilled workers.

Various kinds of talents will be introduced into the zone under the programs -- for example, major innovation teams, national or provincial level talents and talents in industries facing skills shortages.

The programs also include the construction of innovation and entrepreneurship bases which can provide opportunities for overseas talents to start their own businesses in the zone.

In addition, the programs aim at cultivating 50 entrepreneurs who have strong leadership abilities.

To attract contributions from more talents the zone needs to do more in introduction and recognition. It also needs to increase market transformation of research achievements.

The zone has therefore started to promote its human resources market and talent network to provide services like talent recognition and introduction. It is also focusing on optimizing its talent evaluation system and encouraging different ways of market development for research outcomes.

The zone also provides supportive services for newcomers, including taking care of their children's education, health facilities and one-stop shopping for business organization.

The zone wishes to attract 100,000 talents within three years, of whom 20,000 should be high-end, including some at a national expert level.

It will continue to improve its science research and innovation and entrepreneurship platforms. It plans to eventually house 150 research centers such as academician and expert workstations, key labs, postdoctoral workstations, engineering and technology centers and 20 innovation and entrepreneurship platforms such as incubators and maker spaces.