Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Pui-kong and a reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (November 11):

Question:

     According to the latest report on the Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by companies will result in a manpower surplus of clerical support workers and a reduction in entry-level administrative and clerical positions suitable for fresh graduates. On the other hand, both the Mainland and the international community are vigorously promoting the concept of "purple-collar" talent, which combines traditional professional skills with AI operational capability. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(1) whether it will arrange more company visits, career experience activities and workshops on the practical AI applications during the senior secondary subject selection stage, so that students can better grasp the market's requirements for positions combining practical skills and AI, thereby enabling them to select subjects precisely and equip themselves accordingly;

(2) whether it will consider having the Digital Policy Office take the lead in coordinating various government departments and statutory bodies to establish a database on AI's impact on manpower demand trends in the labour market and publish data regularly, so as to precisely and dynamically monitor changes in purple-collar positions and their technical requirements; and

(3) in light of the risk that AI may replace highly repetitive elementary-level positions, how the Government will review and optimise various youth internship programmes to expand the scope of high-skill and "purple-collar-related" internship places, so as to assist young people in continuously enhancing their competitiveness in the era of AI and achieving high-quality employment?

Reply:

President,

     The Government attaches great importance to and is committed to promoting youth employment and development. In consultation with the Education Bureau (EDB), the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, and the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), a consolidated reply to the Member's question is as follows:

(1) The EDB has all along been attaching great importance to the implementation of life planning education. Through the Business-School Partnership Programme (BSPP), the EDB provides students with career exploration activities, including those related to emerging and innovative technology industries, such as career talks, workplace visits, workshops, competitions and work experience opportunities, to help them understand the relevant industries, with a view to widening students' exposure and getting them well prepared for further studies or career pursuits.

     The BSPP partners from innovative technology-related industries include those engaged in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), three-dimensional printing, biotechnology, testing and certification, metaverse gaming as well as digital arts. Furthermore, the Life Planning Information Website of the EDB provides students, teachers and parents with comprehensive information on life planning and multiple pathways. The website features the latest career information, such as job duties, career ladder, entry requirements as well as examples of related training and courses, of over 300 types of work from different industries, including emerging and innovative technology industries, to enhance students’ understanding of relevant industries.

(2) The Government has been closely monitoring the impact of emerging technologies, including AI, on manpower demand and skill structures in the local labour market.

     The manpower projection (MP) conducted by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) serves as an important reference for the Government in assessing macro-level manpower trends. Under the current mechanism, a full projection exercise is conducted once every five years with a mid-term update in between, to assess the implications of macroeconomic environment and technological advancements for the labour market. Data relevant to the projection results have been uploaded to the websites of the LWB and the Census and Statistics Department. The mid-term update report published in September 2026 has specifically examined the impact of rapid adoption of AI on the labour market in recent years.

     The Government monitors the labour market (including the impact of AI). Apart from conducting periodic MPs, the Government will also continue to keep a close watch on the latest market developments by referencing the monthly and quarterly employment and job vacancy statistics, and the latest employment data across various industries released by the Census and Statistics Department, as well as various thematic research reports published by local and overseas organisations. The Digital Policy Office will actively render support for the relevant work under the existing mechanism, including providing advice on the manpower supply and demand in the relevant industries.

(3) To facilitate youth employment and development, the 2026 Policy Address announced that the Government will, in collaboration with the business sector, launch the two-year 30 000 Youth Employment and Internship Programme. The Programme includes four employment and internship initiatives covering the business sector, innovation and technology, construction industry and financial services, and will be jointly implemented by various policy bureaux and departments. The LWB and the Labour Department will be responsible for the Graduate Employment Launch under the Programme, and support major employer organisations to provide a total of 10 000 additional full-time posts lasting six months or more within a two-year period starting from the first quarter of 2027, on top of the participating enterprises' existing manpower and regular recruitment plans. These posts will be offered to young people newly entering the workforce, i.e. those with no or limited work experience, enabling them to gain hands-on work experience, and enhancing their competitiveness and adaptability in the workplace.

     In addition, the HYAB will enhance the HYAB Youth Start-up Internship Programme, and will also launch new AI experiential activities under the HYAB JC Scheme for Youth Life Planning to enhance secondary students' understanding of AI application and the industry. Moreover, the HYAB has been continuously providing young people with diverse internship opportunities, enabling young people to acquire work experience and build interpersonal networks, thereby bolstering their employability. Many of these internship placements cover emerging industries of key national development, such as AI, new energy technology and digital economy, which help young people gain hands-on experience in relevant fields and seize the new opportunities arising from national development and technological advancement.

     The Government will continue to provide appropriate internship and employment support for young people in light of Hong Kong's economic and employment market conditions.

Ends/Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:40

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