Apply for vocational training subsidies, employment internship subsidies, and social insurance subsidies during unemployment — don’t pay for training courses out of pocket

There is no direct cost. However, the training itself takes up a lot of your time. The real challenge is completing all required classes and earning the necessary certificates before you can receive any subsidies.

Regulations from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security outline a series of employment grant initiatives funded by designated fiscal reserves. Eligible groups, including urban registered unemployed persons and individuals with employment difficulties, can receive vocational training subsidies upon finishing training and obtaining required certificates. Subsidies are disbursed through upfront reimbursement or credit vouchers, capped at 3 times per person cumulatively. Social insurance subsidies for individuals with employment difficulties who pay their own contributions (flexible employment) generally last up to 3 years; those who are less than 5 years away from statutory retirement age at initial assessment can extend coverage until retirement, up to a maximum of 5 years. Unemployed college graduates within 2 years of leaving school who enter flexible employment and pay social insurance can receive subsidies for up to 2 years. Micro and small enterprises that hire college graduates in their graduating year or unemployed graduates within 2 years of leaving school, sign labor contracts of 1 year or longer, and pay social insurance can receive employer social insurance subsidies for up to 1 year. Unemployed college graduates within 2 years of graduation and registered unemployed youth aged 16 to 24 can participate in employment internships. Internship subsidies are paid to the host organization to cover intern living allowances, personal accident insurance, and mentorship management costs.

财政部、人力资源社会保障部 (2026). 就业补助资金管理办法（财社〔2026〕1 号，第五条第一、三项、第六条第一项、第七条第一项、第二十六条）. http://sbs.mof.gov.cn/zxzyzf/jybzzj/202601/t20260119_3982161.htm

Specific catalogs and subsidy amounts are set by each province; verify the vocational training subsidy catalog on the official website of your local human resources and social security bureau first. College graduates actively seeking work in their graduating year who come from dibao households, zero-employment households, or households in extreme poverty are eligible for an additional one-time job-seeking subsidy. Graduates with disabilities or those who received national student loans also qualify.