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The following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Launching Ceremony of the Workplace Attachment Phase of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (Tuesday):
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to be here today to take part in the launching ceremony of the Workplace Attachment Phase of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme.
As I said in my Policy Address this year, youth development has always been one of my major concerns. I am in particular concerned about the high youth unemployment rate. To solve the youth unemployment problem, the Government will undoubtedly commit itself to the improvement of our economy and creation of more jobs. However, with the approach of the 21st Century, there is a pressing need for us to revamp our education system and encourage innovation in order to maintain the competitive edge and leading position of Hong Kong as a knowledge-based economy in the long run and to better equip our young people for building their own future. We aim at fostering a growing interest in the pursuit of lifelong learning in our community to enable every school leaver as well as every member of our community to acquire new knowledge and respond effectively to changing circumstances. The Education Commission is now working with the Education and Manpower Bureau in conducting the second round of public consultation on the reform of our entire education system. By the middle of next year when the results of the overall review are available, we will carry forward as soon as possible all the recommendations that have gained general public support.
In the short run, to help enhance the employability of our young people, the Vocational Training Council has launched two new programmes, namely the Certificate in Vocational Studies Course and the Foundation Diploma Course, for Form 3 and Form 5 school leavers this year with the offer of about 4 200 places. Our emphasis is put on English learning and application of information technology to provide the skills that are important to the young people who wish to carry on with their studies as well as those who want to seek employment in future.
To help overcome the employment difficulties encountered by young school leavers, the Government has launched a short term pre-employment training programme for Form 3 and Form 5 school leavers. The programme is a first-time attempt of the Government to offer a great number of short-term pre-employment training places to young job-seekers and to help school leavers acquire job experience through workplace attachment.
The greatest problems faced by school leavers in the seeking of employment are the lack of working experience and inadequate understanding of their own interest and potential. The objective of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme is to provide young people with a wide range of systematic training in self-discipline, team-building and interpersonal skills. The participants will also have an opportunity to gain some short-term working experience before they set out for job. Through this kind of training, young people will acquire a better understanding of themselves and realise their future responsibilities and obligations as a member of our work force.
The funding of $40m from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the enthusiastic support and participation of government departments, training bodies, tertiary institutions, the social welfare profession, trade unions, community organizations, and the commercial and industrial communities have made the launching of this worthwhile programme successful. This is an indication of the fact that all sectors of the community are in action to show their care and concern for the youth.
I am pleased to note the encouraging response to the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme. 18 000 young people have enrolled for the Programme, and nearly 600 firms and organizations have shown their support. 12 000 workplace attachment places have been offered so far.
It is hoped that every participant of the Programme will make the best use of this opportunity to enrich themselves with more knowledge. For those who have already completed the training courses, I hope you will apply fully the valuable experience, knowledge as well as interpersonal skills you have acquired through the training courses and elsewhere to the forthcoming workplace attachment. You have now embarked on a new journey in your life and abundant opportunities are there for you to explore. You should endure every hardship with perseverance and confidence, and never give up! You should fulfil your obligations for the sake of your own self and your family. Further equip yourself through lifelong learning in order to build a successful career and contribute greatly to our society. The more we grow, the more we reap. Every one of us must always bear this in mind. You will eventually realise that the more efforts you make today, the brighter future you will be guaranteed.
Thank you very much.
End/Tuesday, October 26, 1999
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