The Social Welfare Department (SWD) invites applications, starting from January 25, for admission to a two-year full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the welfare sector which will provide 200 places.   

     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 Enrolled Nurse Training Programmes and has continued to commission the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) to provide the training programmes for four consecutive years from 2021/22.

     The training programme, which aims to equip graduates to become competent and caring professional nurses, is to be provided through the Higher Diploma in Nursing Studies (General Health Care) (Programme code: HDNGOSF1) organised by the OUHK. The training programme, to commence on September 20, will be conducted on the campus of the OUHK in Ho Man Tin, and the OUHK 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 have 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 and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by 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 enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."
      
     Tuition fees will be reimbursed to the trainees in full on condition that the trainees have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as an enrolled nurse within two years. Trainees will also be required to sign an undertaking to indicate their readiness to be employed as an Enrolled Nurse (General) providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services operated by 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.
      
     An information seminar on the training programme will be held through Zoom at 4pm on February 5 (Friday). Registration for the seminar is welcome before February 3. Registration of the seminar and information about the training programme are available on the webpage of the OUHK (www.ouhk.edu.hk/wcsprd/Satellite?pagename=OUHK/tcSchool2014&lang=eng&sch=NUR). Applicants must submit their applications for the training programme via the Online Admission Application System of the OUHK (www.ouhk.edu.hk/FTUG_application). Hyperlinks are also provided on the SWD webpage (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew). Applications will close on March 12. For enquiries, please contact the OUHK at 3970 2958 or 3970 2955.

Ends/Monday, January 18, 2021
Issued at HKT 16:35

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