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The Labour Department will extend the Employment Programme for the Middle-aged and launch the Job Fair for Middle-aged and Elderly Employment in September to promote the employment of mature persons.
With a view to encouraging employers to provide more suitable employment opportunities for mature job seekers, the Employment Programme for the Middle-aged (EPM) implemented by the Labour Department, which originally covered only full-time employment (i.e. no less than 30 working hours per week), will be extended to also cover part-time jobs (i.e. working 18 hours to less than 30 hours per week) with effect from September 1, 2015.
The EPM encourages employers to engage unemployed mature job seekers aged 40 or above and provide them with on-the-job training. Employers may apply for a training allowance of up to $3,000 per month per employee engaged under the EPM, for a period of three to six months.
Job seekers participating in the EPM will be provided with mentors and on-the-job training by employers, so as to enable job seekers to acquire essential job-specific skills and secure stable employment. Prior registration under the EPM is not required for job seekers. Relevant registration can be made after they have secured employment from job vacancies registered at the Labour Department.
For more information on the EPM, please visit the EPM dedicated webpage (www1.jobs.gov.hk/1/0/WebForm/information/en/epm/info_epm.aspx) or contact the EPM Hotline at 2150 6398.
To enhance employment opportunities for mature job seekers, the Labour Department will also hold the Job Fair for Middle-aged and Elderly Employment on September 10 at the Lok Fu Plaza. A total of 15 organisations will provide around 1 200 full-time and part-time vacancies from various industries suitable for mature job seekers including positions such as clerks, library assistants, domestic helpers, traditional Chinese medicine dispensers, repair services operators, shop assistants, cooks, technicians, drivers and more. Participating organisations will set up counters and conduct on-the-spot recruitment. Job seekers can find more information on the department's Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, August 31, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:01
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