New Taipei City is to hold a large-scale job fair offering more than 2,000 vacancies — good news for jobseekers, and especially for middle-aged and older applicants.

• The fair takes place on August 20 at the Sanchong Gymnasium, with 54 companies setting up booths and over 2,000 positions on offer.
• The recruiting firms span industries including precision machinery, optoelectronics, information technology and food and beverage.
• With society ageing rapidly, this event places particular emphasis on recruiting middle-aged and older workers.
• Retailers such as PX Mart and Hi-Life have adapted their workplaces for middle-aged and older staff, introducing large-type checkout systems and labour-saving aids, with hourly pay of up to NT$238.
• Biotech contract manufacturer Feng Hsing Biotechnology is also advertising fixed-shift plant engineer and packer positions, with an additional technical allowance.

Outlook: With a falling birth rate and an ageing population keeping labour shortages in place, companies are expected to speed up the redesign of jobs in order to draw middle-aged and older workers back into the workforce.