IBM and the Dalian Neusoft Institute of Information have initiated a training project, China Daily reports. The initiative, which will take place in Dalian, in northeast China, will take advantage of IBM's experience and Neusoft's teaching resources to nurture interdisciplinary IT professionals at a time when there is a shortage of high-level, application-oriented professionals.

Graduates' pay slumps

The average salary of associate degree graduates has dropped by more than 10 per cent to HK$8,300, Sing Tao reports. A survey by The University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education Community College also found that 66 per cent of graduates opted for further education, while 28 per cent chose to work. The survey, conducted late last year, canvassed more than 2,100 graduates with associate degrees and higher diplomas.

Workers favour flexible working hours

Employees value flexible working hours more than performance-related bonuses, The Daily Telegraph reports. Research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in Britain has found that men and women equally rank this benefit the most valuable. The recession has changed attitudes towards work, says Michael Rendell, head of human resource services at PwC. "With bonuses unpredictable in uncertain economic conditions, employees are looking for broader benefits."