The Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (June 19) invited applications for admission to a two-year full-time Enrolled Nurse (General)/Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) Training Programme for the welfare sector which will provide 200 and 30 places respectively.   

     A spokesman for the SWD said that to alleviate the shortage of enrolled nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services, the SWD has since 2006 organised 14 classes of Enrolled Nurse Training Programmes for the welfare sector. In view of the continued demand for more trained enrolled nurses to serve in the welfare sector, the department is now organising new classes and has commissioned the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) to provide the training programmes in the coming four years.

     The training programme aims to equip graduates to become competent and caring professional nurses. It is divided into two streams, namely the Enrolled Nurse (General) stream and the Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) stream. The former is to be provided through the Higher Diploma in Nursing Studies (General Health Care) (programme code: HDNSGF1) organised by OUHK while the latter will be provided through the Higher Diploma in Nursing Studies (Mental Health Care) (programme code: HDNSMF1). The programmes, to commence on September 4, will be conducted in the campus of OUHK in Ho Man Tin and the university will also be responsible for the arrangement of relevant clinical practices.

     On the qualifications required, the spokesman said, "Applicants must have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences and have attained Level 2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A and B in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, or completed a Pre-Associate Degree programme, or an equivalent qualification."

     The spokesman added, "To encourage youths and front-line staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme or Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services of the SWD, or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to start a career as an enrolled nurse in the welfare sector are also welcomed."

     The SWD will fully subsidise trainees with tuition fees on the condition that the trainees have successfully completed the training programme and attained the graduation requirements within two years. Trainees will also be required to sign an undertaking to indicate their readiness to be employed as Enrolled Nurse (General) or Enrolled Nurse (Psychiatric) in the welfare sector providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services operated by the NGOs or private organisations for a continuous period of no less than two years after satisfactory completion of the training. If in breach of this term, trainees will have to repay the SWD the tuition fees.

     Relevant information about the training programme is available on the homepage of OUHK. Applicants must submit their applications for the programme via the Online Admission Application System of OUHK (www.ouhk.edu.hk/FTUG_application). Hyperlinks are also provided on the SWD homepage (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew). Application will close on June 30. For enquiries, people may contact OUHK at 3120 2661 or 3120 2662.

Ends/Monday, June 19, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:00

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