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The Youth Pre-employment Training Programme (YPTP) and the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme (YWETS) of the Labour Department will launch their joint recruitment from tomorrow (July 29).
The two employment training schemes aim to develop young people's job skills, work experience and credentials, thereby enhancing their employability and competitiveness.
The YPTP is a pre-employment training programme for school leavers aged 15 to 19, with modular training on leadership, discipline and team-building; job search and interpersonal skills; computer application and job-specific skills. The training is also complemented by career counselling and support services throughout the programme and after job placement. Such services will facilitate trainees' integration into the job market and enhance their employment opportunities.
Upon completion of the modular training, trainees may undergo one month's workplace attachment provided by government departments, social service institutions, and public and private organisations. Experienced staff in the workplace will act as mentors to support trainees. There is no employment relationship between the organisations and trainees. An allowance of $2,000 will be payable to trainees on completion of the workplace attachment.
The programme this year will be launched in two phases, each of which will last for six to nine months. The first phase will start in September this year and the second phase in February next year.
New training courses will be introduced to meet market demands and young people's interests. The new courses include e-sales training, e-marketing advertising planning and market promoter assistant training, 3D product design, computer-aided trendy handicrafts, industrial application of digital technology, event coordinator assistant training, professional audio & lighting system engineering and programme co-ordination training, project design and promotion skill training, and food & dessert making and business management skill training.
On the other hand, the YWETS aims to provide six to 12 months' on-the-job training for young people who are aged 15 to 24 of below-degree educational attainment with a view to facilitating a smooth school-to-work transition and improving their employability.
The scheme provides a 40-hour induction course for participants without prior interpersonal and job search skills training to help them acquire job search, interview, communication and interpersonal skills; and to cultivate a positive work attitude, discipline and team spirit. Registered social workers will act as participants' case managers. They will provide personalised career counselling and support services, which cover areas including pre-employment assessment, formulation of career plans, job-matching and on-the-job support.
Participants will be engaged as trainees by employers and receive six to 12 months' on-the-job training under the guidance of mentors assigned by employers. Employers will receive a monthly subsidy of $2,000 per trainee during the training period. In addition, trainees can enrol in suitable vocational training courses. They can claim reimbursement for the course fee of up to $4,000 if they have an attendance rate of 90% or attained the qualification.
The YWETS offers some 40 tailor-made training projects to cater for the needs and interests of trainees. These include such trades and industries as retail and wholesale, aviation, tourism, information technology, education and social services, entertainment and catering.
In addition to ongoing tailor-made projects like "Travel Pioneer" and "IT Seeds", the YWETS is launching a new project, "E-Leader Programme", for trainees who have completed the "IT Seeds" project to facilitate sustainable career development and continued study. The new project will help enhance trainees' knowledge and leadership through school training and on-the-job training. This will help them better prepare for further studies or joining the information technology profession.
The Labour Department will stream applicants into the YPTP or YWETS according to their age and previous training received under the YPTP.
Application forms can be obtained from the department's YPTP Office, Careers Information Centres, Job Centres and designated training bodies, or downloaded from the website of Youth Employment Services (www.yes.labour.gov.hk). Online application is available to applicants aged 18 or above. Forms are also available at Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department and District Offices of the Social Welfare Department from July 29 and August 21. For enquiries, please call 2835 2282.
Ends/Friday, July 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:23
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