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The Chief Executive-in-Council had decided that the eligibility criteria of the Employees Retraining Scheme (ERS) would be relaxed from December 1, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, said today (October 24).
Through using the Employees Retraining Levy collected from employers of foreign domestic helpers, the eligibility criteria of the ERS will be relaxed to cover young people aged 15 to 29 and people with education level at sub-degree or below.
"The relaxation will ensure that young people and more unemployed people and local workers will be provided with much-needed training and retraining opportunities. This will enhance their employability and better equip them to meet the challenges brought by economic restructuring," he said.
To tie in with the relaxation, the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will increase the number of training courses and training places, as well as strengthen the training content and measures to assure course quality. The training places to be provided by the ERB are expected to be increased by 50% in 2008-09 from 100,000 to 150,000 per year and doubled in 2009-10 to 200,000 per year.
People who will benefit from the relaxation measures may submit their applications for existing courses under the ERS from December this year. The first batch of new courses designed for the expanded groups is expected to be launched in the second quarter of 2008.
Subject to discussion with the relevant stakeholders, consideration may be given to training people to become rehabilitation assistants, health workers, tour guides, insurance agents, merchandisers, physical trainers, IT assistants, accounting assistants, beauticians, amusement park assistants, pet shop assistants and real estate salespersons. The ERB will also play a useful and important role in manpower training for social enterprises.
"The relaxation marks the first step in expanding and enhancing the training and retraining services of the ERB which is currently undertaking a strategic review on its future role and responsibilities. More concrete plans on how it shall expand the scope and enhance the quality of its training and retraining services, including the optimum use of the levy, will be drawn up under the strategic review."
"Following the relaxation of the eligibility criteria and in the light of the outcome of the review, the ERB is expected to take on new strategic role and responsibilities and offer more comprehensive and diversified training and retraining for the local workforce. The ERB will also develop a rebranding strategy and promote a new image to enhance public awareness of its expanded roles and services," Mr Cheung said.
Ends/Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Issued at HKT 14:01
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