Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Email this article news.gov.hk
Applications invited for Skills Upgrading Scheme courses
*********************************************************

    The Labour and Welfare Bureau today (October 4) launched a new series of government-subsidised training courses tailor-made for the market vending industry under the Skills Upgrading Scheme (SUS).

     Introducing the new courses at a press briefing, the Convenor of the SUS Market Vending Industry Working Group, Mr Wong Kwok-hing said the new courses were designed specially for market vending workers with an aim to upgrade the overall standard of the industry.

     "The courses will help strengthen the professional knowledge of the workers in stall hygiene, food handling, food identification and business skills so as to enhance their service standard and competitiveness.

     "The Government has set aside about $1.7 million to subsidise 205 new classes, which will provide 5,000 training places in the first batch," Mr Wong said.

     Also attending the press briefing, the Convenor of the SUS Market Vending Industry Course Development/Trainers' Qualification and Quality Assurance Sub-group, Mr Tsang Sik-ming said it was necessary for market vending workers to obtain updated knowledge and skills in order to meet the changing industry needs.

     The 15 subsidised courses include food handling, food identification skills as well as soft skills such as market sales and customer services techniques, personal hygiene and occupational safety and health knowledge.

     Applications for the courses are now open. Details can be obtained by calling hotline 2836 1234 or from the website http://www.lwb.gov.hk/sus.

     Since its inception in 2001, the SUS now covers 25 industries. The scheme provides professional and specific skills training for in-service workers with an aim to enhance their employability and competitiveness in the labour market as well as promote the culture of continuing education and lifelong learning in the community. So far, the scheme has conducted more than 9,500 classes and offered more than 192,000 training places.

     Other guests at the press briefing included the Principal Assistant Secretary (Manpower) for Labour and Welfare, Ms Karyn Chan, and the Convenor of the SUS Market Vending Industry Publicity Sub-group, Mr Fung Mun-hong.

Ends/Thursday, October 4, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:48

NNNN

Print this page