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More than 7,000 visitors flocked to the opening of the Youth Career Expo at Plaza Hollywood in Diamond Hill today (July 15). The two-day event, jointly organised by the Labour Department and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), gives young people aged 15 to 24 the latest information on employment and training, as well as advice on career planning and how to enrich their working experience.
The expo displays detailed information on the seven short-term employment and training projects for young people announced by the Chief Executive last month. The Government has allocated $260 million to create more than 8,000 training vacancies. Most come with a monthly salary of $4,000 and last for six months. Training projects cover various sectors in tourism, leisure and sports, cultural activities, the arts, nature appreciation and community care.
Addressing today's opening ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour (Labour), Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said that the expo provided the latest information on personal employment and career planning, pre-employment and on-the-job training opportunities, the diversified employment opportunities created by the Government for young people and other career development channels.
"A major characteristic of the programme is that the Government has rallied the full support of non-government organisations, community organisations and cultural, sports and arts associations. This is very much an exercise in community building and social cohesion," he said.
The training projects have been designed for young people by the Labour Department in conjunction with other Government departments and non-governmental organisations. Details are as follows:
Project & Content VacanciesAt the expo, young people can collect information on the Labour Department's Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme. Applications for both initiatives open on July 26. Briefings for potential participants have been arranged. The self-employment and entrepreneurship projects launched by the HKFYG are also on display.relevant
department/
organisation
1.Tourism Promoting healthy tourism, 3,000
Development reminding travelers of
Assistant hygiene tips and assisting
Training in tourism promotion
Project programmes
(Tourism
Commission)
2.Community Assisting in, organising and 500
Building promoting community building
Project activities; providing support
(Home Affairs to such activities as elections,
Department) Local Community Economy,
Clean Hong Kong and building
management
3.Positive Promoting a positive outlook 1,000
Life Project on life and fostering a
(Home Affairs creative culture
Department)
4.Leisure, Receiving attachment training 1,250
Cultural, workplace experience in
Sports and the Leisure and Cultural
Arts Training Services Department,
Project performing arts venues and
(Leisure and sports associations; and
Cultural assisting these organisations
Services to promote culture, sports and
Department) performing arts
5.Leisure and Guiding tourists and 100
Cultural students on heritage tours, and
Guide Project introducing them to the flowers of
(Leisure and Hong Kong and relevant gardening
Cultural techniques
Services
Department)
6.Promoting Acquiring knowledge about Hong 460
Natural Kong's natural environment and
Environmental nature appreciation techniques;
Project promoting good practices
(Agriculture, in nature appreciation and
Fisheries and improving the natural
Conservation environment with hands-on
Department) experience through
guided visits and fieldwork
7.Community Promoting environmental and 2,000
Care Project personal hygiene among
(Social Welfare the elderly and other
Department) community members,
assisting in organising
such activities, offering
logistical support to
promotional and
educational activities
organised by Team Clean
Also officiating at the opening ceremony was the Chief Executive of the HKFYG, Dr Rosanna Wong, who said it was important to help young people adapt to the working environment after they leave school.
"Youth employment issues have been a common concern in the world in recent years. In addition to solving the problems, many countries have agreed that 'youth employment networks' should be developed to render assistance and support to young people," she said.
She noted that HKFYG had just established a youth employment network in Hong Kong. Addressed to young people aged 15 to 24, it will provide one-stop employment, training and support services.
"Young people can find a job, be self-employed or start their own business. Our network will therefore focus on these areas. We will tailor special consultant services, training programmes, network linkages and back-up support for them according to their special employment needs," she said.
The exhibition area of the expo is divided into planning, employment, self-employment and entrepreneurship zones. In order to help young people plan their careers, professionals and academics have been invited to give talks. Employment aptitude tests, introductions to various sectors and technical demonstrations are also on offer.
Talking to young people at the expo, Mr Cheung used the acronym CLAP to encourage them.
"We are committed to improving the employment prospects of young people. This is currently our major concern. 'C' means 'courage'; 'L' stands for 'life'; 'A' for 'adaptability'; and 'P' for 'preparation' - young people should have full preparation."
"To face the present adversity, young people should have unbeatable courage to keep up with their hard work despite setbacks. They should also be flexible and adaptable to meet future challenges," he said.
Application forms for the seven employment and training projects are available at the expo for submission on the spot. Forms can also be obtained until July 18 at all job centres and from the website http://www.labour.gov.hk/news/content.htm. Completed forms should be returned to job centres by July 18 at the latest.
End/Tuesday, July 15, 2003
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