BEIJING - About 120,000 demobilized army officers have succeeded in finding jobs by themselves since the option was made available in 2001, according to statistics released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MHRSS) on Tuesday.

In an effort to push forward the policy, the ministry initiated an experimental training program on December 11 for 40 armymen, who were demobilized in 2012 and chose to try to find jobs by themselves.

The training included business visits and 15-day internship in enterprises.

The event was a worthy attempt at arranging civilian work for demobilized military personnel, He Xian, vice minister of the MHRSS, said at a promotional meeting for the employment of the officers on Tuesday.

The meeting attracted more than 50 private enterprises which planned to hire the officers.

He urged the demobilized officers to work hard in their new careers and expressed hope that their employers would give full play to their talents.

Prior to the program, the ministry had also launched online courses to guide demobilized officers in their hunt for work.