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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, has called on young people planning to receive training and seek employment to grasp the opportunity to join the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme (YPTP&YWETS) to equip themselves for future career development.
Speaking at the "2011/12 YPTP&YWETS Programme Kick-off cum Award Ceremony of Most Improved Trainees 2011" today (August 16), Mr Cheung said that the Programme enabled young people with different educational qualifications to receive suitable pre-employment training and support before they entered the job market.
"In recent years, the YPTP&YWETS has been promoting cross-sectoral co-operation with employers from different trades and training organisations to provide special employment programmes. The most recent programmes are the Quantity Surveyor Assistant Training Project and the Hair Salon Assistant Training Project.
"In 2011-12, the Labour Department will join hands with even more trades and sectors to provide employment programmes to young people and at the same time help the trades to train up talent," Mr Cheung said.
"In view of the implementation of the New Senior Secondary Academic Structure, we expect that a large number of school leavers will enter the job market next year. The Labour Department has prepared well to enhance service provision in the areas of career guidance and pre-employment and on-the-job training. Comprehensive training and employment support will be offered to assist youngsters to formulate future development plans," he said.
Also attending the ceremony, the Commissioner for Labour, Mr Cheuk Wing Hing, encouraged young people to pursue their career goals by making good use of the training and employment services offered under the YPTP&YWETS.
Mr Cheuk said, "While growing up, young people need support from employers and society. A job opportunity, some encouraging remarks, acceptance and understanding would mean a lot to young people."
At the ceremony, Mr Cheung presented awards to 10 outstanding trainees who had achieved significant improvements in personal development, leadership, social service or work performance under the YPTP&YWETS. He encouraged the award winners to continue their efforts in pursuit of their career goals.
While praising the participating employers and training organisations for training up the young people, Mr Cheung also appealed for wider community support to promote youth employment.
The YPTP and the YWETS were integrated in September 2009. Since then, more than 28 300 applications have been received. Counting also the 90 000 youngsters trained up under the YPTP and the 60 000 young people who had secured job placements under the YWETS, more than 180 000 young people aged between 15 and 24 have benefited.
The YPTP&YWETS is open to young school leavers aged 15 to 24 with education attainment at sub-degree level or below and is free of charge. Year-round enrolment in the new Programme Year commenced on August 8. For details, please visit the website of Youth Employment Services of the Labour Department at www.yes.labour.gov.hk. The Labour Department has also set up a Youth Employment Services hotline, 2112 9932, to provide a one-stop enquiry service on the programme and receive training vacancies from employers.
Ends/Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:21
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