Supplementary to question No. 8
in LegCo Meeting on 20.11.85
Mr. Hui-Yin-fat:- Sir, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service survey
showed that the projected employment situation for social work graduates
of 1986, that is next year, will be worse, with supply of over four
hundred graduates outstripping demand of 200 vacancies by over 100 per cent.
Would Government consider to terminate its training scheme for general
degree holders implemented in 1983 as a temporary measure to resolve the
social work manpower shortage in order to maximise the use of available
resources? At the same time would Government review existing manning
ratio in various social services in order to absorb qualified people
into the workforce?
Secretary for Health and Welfare:- Sir, the scheme to recruit graduates
in subjects other than social work was introduced as Mr Hui said about
two years ago. It was always an intention that this should be a temporary
arrangement
and that it would be reviewed in the light of the manpower
situation at the time and I think I can give an assurance that this will
be done.
Mr. Szeto Wah:- Sir, can the Government inform this Council when the
change of the manning ratio of social workers in schools from 1:4000 to
1:2000 will be achieved?
Secretary for Health and Welfare:- Sir, I am afraid I can give no firm
assurance of when this will be achieved. As I said in the earlier answer
it depends both on the manpower situation, which Mr. Hui assures us is
improving, and on the financial situation.