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Two handbooks to help Secondary Five (S5) graduates prepare for the release of their Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination results will be published tomorrow (July 18).

The "Careers Guidance Handbook for Secondary 5 Graduates 2003-2004" and "Handbook for Form 5 Students: In Pursuit of Job and Continuing Learning Opportunities" were compiled jointly by the Education and Manpower Bureau, the Labour Department and the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters (HKACMGM). They provide information on further studies, vocational training and career paths for S5 graduates.

"The Careers Guidance Handbook for Secondary 5 Graduates 2003-2004" outlines the Secondary Six (S6) Admission Procedure 2003, which will start from August 6, and the Secondary Six Joint Admission Scheme.

This year, secondary schools in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Districts will join their counterparts in Tai Po, North, Sai Kung, Shatin, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Southern Districts to organise Joint Admission Centres to admit students from other schools to their Secondary Six classes.

The handbook also provides information on the study path for S5 graduates, including details of S6 courses being offered by secondary schools, S5 courses for repeaters, professional and vocational training courses, sub-degree courses, Project Yi Jin and studying abroad.

Also included are guidance notes contributed by HKACMGM members and a contact list of education and advisory organisations.

The "Handbook for Form 5 Students: In Pursuit of Job and Continuing Learning Opportunities" focuses on the transition from school to work, providing tips on choosing a career and searching for a job, information on the job market, free employment services of the Labour Department, the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme, the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme and various continuing learning opportunities.

Students can obtain the two handbooks for free from their own schools, the Education and Manpower Bureau's Regional Education Offices, the Labour Department's Careers Information Centres and Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department from tomorrow.

The electronic version of the handbooks will also be made available at the bureau's website at http://www.emb.gov.hk/cgs and the department's website at www.labour.gov.hk/careers.

For enquiries call the bureau on 2639 4774 or the department on 2152 5305.

End/Thursday, July 17, 2003

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