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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa today (Tuesday) encouraged the young participants of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme to make full use of the opportunities provided under the programme to better themselves.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of the workplace attachment phase of the programme, Mr Tung said: "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."

"Youth development has always been one of my major concerns. I am in particular concerned about high youth unemployment rate."

"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."

Over 600 organisations have agreed to provide some 12,400 workplace attachment places for trainees of the programme. The attachments cover a wide spectrum of jobs ranging from clerical duties to service and sales work, as well as IT-related duties. Trainees are paid a monthly allowance of $1,000 to subsidise their travelling and meal expenses.

A total of 18,000 youths have applied to join the 6-month Youth Pre-employment Training Programme. Since training classes commenced in mid September, some 6,000 trainees have completed or are undertaking training courses under the programme.

Mr Tung acknowledged the generous donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and paid tribute to the different sectors of the community, including training bodies, tertiary institutions, the social welfare sector, trade unions, community organisations, the commercial and industrial communities, as well as government departments, for their enthusiastic support for the programme.

"The enthusiastic support and participation of various bodies is an indication of the fact that all sectors of the community are in action to show their care and concern for our young people," he stressed.

Before the ceremony, the Chief Executive met with some 40 outstanding trainees who received certificates of commendation. These trainees have completed one to four courses and about half of them have already been allocated places for workplace attachment.

About 600 guests attended the launching ceremony, which included a presentation of certificates of commendation to outstanding trainees and performances by trainees and popular artiste Mr Andy Lau.

Accompanying the Chief Executive as officiating guests were the Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Alan F S Li, the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong and the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung.

Photo:Picture shows Mr Tung addressing the ceremony.

End/Tuesday, October 26, 1999

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