The Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Lau Kong-wah, today (January 9) officiated at the Award Presentation Ceremony of Lifesaving Training Incentive Programme for Ethnic Minority Youths 2019 and presented badges and certificates to participants who obtained relevant lifesaving qualifications through the Programme.

     The Programme, which was held by the Home Affairs Department (HAD), aimed to deepen ethnic minority (EM) youths' understanding of lifesaving and support them to acquire the qualifications of a professional safeguard, so as to open up their career choices.

     The HAD promoted the Programme to EM youths and recruited participants through its eight support service centres for EMs and schools. Thirty-four EM youths participated in the two pool lifeguard and integrated lifesaving training courses between July and October last year. The courses, which were conducted in English, covered first aid, aquatic first aid, pool lifesaving training and relevant examinations. 

     Mr Lau congratulated the 18 participants who passed the relevant examinations of the training courses to obtain the Pool Lifeguard Award at the ceremony. They came from different ethnicities, including Pakistani, Filipino, Nepalese, Indian and Korean. Twelve of them attained the Lifesaving Bronze Medallion in the Programme in 2018. They proceeded further to acquire the professional qualification of a pool lifeguard through the advanced training course of the Programme.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lau said he understands that nine of the participants who obtained the Pool Lifeguard Award have applied for Leisure and Cultural Services Department seasonal lifeguard posts. He wished them success in the attempt.

     More than 96 000 EM people benefit from the wide range of services provided by eight support service centres for EMs each year and, to encourage interaction and exchanges between the EM and local communities, the HAD has engaged district organisations to organise more district-based activities. So far 46 activities have been rolled out.

     Mr Lau said, "With concerted efforts from the community and the Government, I am confident that people of all races can integrate fully into our community and feel at home in Hong Kong."

     The Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Mrs Cherry Tse; the Director of Home Affairs, Miss Janice Tse; and Deputy Director of Home Affairs, Miss Vega Wong also attended the ceremony today.

Ends/Thursday, January 9, 2020
Issued at HKT 19:03

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