Starting salaries of HK$17,000-23,000 up for grabs for Hong Kong fresh graduates entering the ICT industry

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The most frequently hired entry-level ICT jobs are junior software engineer/developer (23.6%); junior data analyst or database administrator (14.6%); and network administrator (14.2%).

Nearly two-thirds of higher diploma fresh graduates and more than 70% of university degree fresh graduates have receives a starting salary of HK$17,000-23,000 when they enter the ICT industry; a study of 500 local employers commissioned by CLAP-TECH has found.

The survey polled those involved in the recruitment process in the information and communications technology (ICT) and/ or creative media industries in the past 12 months, to find that employers from the creative media industry offered the same starting salary range (i.e. HK$17,000-23,000) as the ICT sector to higher diploma fresh graduates and university degree fresh graduates.

The results show that employers agree that higher diploma and university degree fresh graduates have comparable attitudes, technical expertise, and soft skills.

The survey also found that ICT employers placed almost equal importance on technical expertise and relevant internship or practical experience when hiring fresh graduates. However, they also believed that most job applicants are lacking in both of these areas.

Similarly, employers in the creative media industry valued industry-related internship or practical experience and technical expertise for entry level applicants, but noted a demonstrated lack of internship or practical experience among job seekers.

Andrew Ho, Director of CLAP-TECH Centre said: "According to the survey results, over 80% of responded employers still consider university qualifications as a key factor in hiring decisions. This highlights the importance of enhancing the recognition of vocational and professional education and training (VPET), including the elevation of vocational talent education to a university level."

The following are additional relevant data points that emerged from the survey:

Most frequently hired entry-level ICT jobs in the past 12 months
1. Junior software engineer/developer (23.6%)
2. Junior data analyst or junior database administrator (14.6%)
3. Network administrator (14.2%)

Most frequently hired entry-Level creative media jobs in the past 12 months
1. Public relations specialist (31.1%)
2. Content creator (16.8%)
3. Advertising executive / senior executive (16.2%)

For ICT fresh graduates attending a job interview:

Top employer priorities
1. Technical expertise (23.7%)
2. Relevant internship or practical experience (22.1%)
3. Academic performance and qualifications (15.1%)

Top employer concerns
1. Lack of relevant internships or practical experience (21.0%)
2. Lack of technical expertise (20.0%)
3. Lack of demonstrated soft skills (16.2%)

For creative media fresh graduates attending a job interview:

Top employer priorities
1. Relevant internship or practical experience (25.2%)
2. Technical expertise (24.5%)
3. Academic performance and qualifications (13.4%)

Top employer concerns
1. Lack of relevant internship or practical experience (28.7%)
2. Lack of technical expertise (19.8%)
3. Lack of demonstrated soft skills (18.3%)

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Lead image / Provided by CLAP-TECH