The employment windows at the Rugao administration service center. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

For thousands of impoverished people in Rugao, Nantong, finding employment opportunities have been a silver lining to their life, in addition to receiving financial support from the local government, local media outlets reported.

"My husband has been in poor health for years and my child is attending school. I'm the only one in my family that can earn money," said Zhu Aihong, a registered impoverished resident in Baipu town.

Since Zhu has to take care of her family, she cannot work far from home, which had been the biggest hurdle for her to overcome in finding a job. 

When learning about Zhu's difficulty, the local human resources and social security department offered vocational training to Zhu, as well as arranged a position at a local home textile company for her.

"Now, I'm not only earning a stable income, but also have been included in the 'five insurance and one pension system," said Zhu. 

The company also offers free lunch. More importantly, it is located less than 10 minutes away from her home.

Being lifted out of poverty is not the end goal, but the start of new life, said local officials.

Promoting employment is a more effective way to help improve these people's living standard than offering subsidies, officials added.

"For impoverished people who were willing to work, we have offered targeted trainings and recommendations in fields like gardening and housekeeping services," said Shi Risheng, deputy director of the employment department of the city's human resources department.

By the end of 2020, 4,909 of 5,001 impoverished people who were willing to work had found jobs.