EMPLOYMENT
138
Youth Pre-employment Training Programme
To address the problem of high unemployment amongst young school leavers, the Government launched a large-scale Youth Pre-employment Training Programme in September.
The objective of the programme was to enhance the employability and competitiveness of young school leavers aged mainly between 15 and 19 through the provision of a wide range of employment-related training in the areas of leadership, self-discipline and team building, job search and interpersonal skills, basic computer application, and job specific skills; as well as short-term workplace attachment opportunities.
The six-month programme, sponsored by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Government, received wide support from different sectors of the community including training bodies, government departments, tertiary institutions, voluntary agencies and employers. A total of 630 organisations participated in the programme, which offered some 25 000 training places and 12 388 workplace attachment opportunities.
Some 18,000 youths applied to join the programme. As at December 31, 13 874 youths had undergone training.
Upon its completion, a review of the programme will be conducted to see how best to equip school leavers in the 15-19 age group with pre-employment training before they enter the labour market.
Imported Workers
General policy on entry for employment
The Immigration Department controls the entry of foreigners for employment. Foreigners may work or invest in Hong Kong if they possess a special skill, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong, or if they can make a substantial contribution to the economy.
The department applies the policy in a flexible manner. Genuine business persons and entrepreneurs are welcome to establish a presence in Hong Kong, bringing with them capital and expertise. Qualified professionals, technical staff, administrators and managerial personnel are also admitted with minimum formalities. During the year, 14 521 professionals and persons with technical, administrative or managerial skills from more than 70 countries were admitted for employment.
Importation of labour
Apart from the above, special schemes are operated for the importation of workers who do not fall under the general policy on entry for employment. The Government's policy on importation of labour is based on two cardinal principles:
(a) Local workers must be given priority in filling job vacancies available in the job market; and
(b) Employers who are genuinely unable to recruit local workers to fill their job vacancies should be allowed to import workers.
Since the Special Labour Importation Scheme for the New Airport and Related Projects was wound up on March 1, with the completion of the new airport and