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The Education and Careers Expo would provide information on the employment market and education opportunities for visitors to map out their future, Permanent Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung said at today's (February 23) opening ceremony.
Co-organised by the Labour Department and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Expo has entered its 16th anniversary.
Officiating at the ceremony today were Member of the Executive Council and Council Member of the HKTDC Mrs Selina Chow, Mr Cheung and Acting Executive Director of the HKTDC Mr Alan Wong.
Mr Cheung said the rich and first-hand information at the Expo would certainly help job-seekers make sensible decisions at their career crossroads.
"To reap the greatest benefits from the economic upturn and the improvement in employment, young people have to keep abreast with the latest developments in the labour market.
"To stay ahead of others in this knowledge-based economy, they have to widen their horizons, acquire new knowledge and upgrade their skills continually. They will then be able to 'explore the world of opportunities' which is exactly the theme of the Education and Careers Expo 2006," Mr Cheung said.
The Expo for this year has pulled together a record 489 exhibitors, including 68 careers exhibitors and 421 education exhibitors.
The careers exhibitors are government departments, private enterprises, professional associations and vocational training bodies. Job-seekers may gather from them information on employment opportunities of a number of trades.
In addition, two theme zones on the financial planning industry and the tourism and retailing industry will provide one-stop career guidance for those who are interested in joining the professions.
Turning to the education exhibitors, Mr Cheung said visitors who planned to pursue further studies or attain higher qualifications may benefit from the great diversity of programmes in the Education Section.
More than 400 local and overseas educational institutions participate in the Expo and offer a wide-range of study programmes in Hong Kong, Europe, Australia, the United States as well as on the Mainland.
Veteran practitioners from a wide cross-section of trades will give careers seminars on job prospects and the latest development in their trades. The seminars will cover topics such as market trend and job-seeking strategy, and career opportunities in business management, banking, financial, accountancy, architectural and engineering sectors.
The Labour Department will also host a seminar on the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme for school leavers. Studies by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University have affirmed their effectiveness in helping young people secure employment.
A booth highlighting the department's diversified employment services has been set up. Visitors can try the user-friendly Vacancy Searching Terminals, or browse through the Interactive Employment Service on the internet and Careers Information Website for the latest vacancies and careers information.
The Expo is open from today until Sunday (February 26) at Hall 5 Concourse of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. Admission is free.
The opening hours of the Expo are as follows:
Date Time
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February 23 (Thursday) 10.30am to 7pm
February 24 to 25 10am to 7pm
(Friday to Saturday)
February 26 (Sunday) 10am to 6pm
Ends/Thursday, February 23, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:19
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