Employment
Social Security Assistance (CSSA)'. The centre provides services and facilities, such as case management and employment support services, that are currently not available at other Labour Department job centres. In 2014, 69,889 job seekers made use of the centre's services and facilities.
Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme
This scheme, commenced in October 2011, helps low-income earners reduce their cost of travelling to and from work and encourages them to secure or stay in employment. From the claim months of 2013, applicants could choose to apply on an individual or household basis. As at end-2014, 85,431 workers had received the subsidy.
Helping Persons with Disabilities Find Jobs
The Labour Department helps persons with disabilities who are fit for open employment to seek jobs in the employment market. It provides free employment counselling and placement services to formerly mentally ill persons and persons with hearing or visual impairment, physical handicap, chronic illness, autism, intellectual disability, specific learning difficulties and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, etc. In 2014, the department launched various employment and promotional programmes, registered 2,650 job seekers with disabilities and secured 2,464 job placements.
The Work Orientation and Placement Scheme improves employment opportunities for persons with disabilities by paying an allowance to encourage employers to provide jobs and employment support. A participating employer who employs a person with disabilities having employment difficulties is entitled to an allowance of up to $5,500 per month for the first two months of employment. After the first two months, the employer is entitled to an allowance of up to $4,000 per month for a maximum of six months. In 2014, there were 805 job placements made under the scheme.
Preparing People for Work
Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP)
The YETP provides a full range of pre-employment and on-the-job training for young school leavers aged between 15 and 24 with educational attainment up to sub-degree level. The YETP has established an effective platform for government departments, employers and non- governmental organisations to work together to help young people enhance their employability, improve job search skills and secure employment. Employers who engage eligible young people under the programme and provide them with on-the-job training are entitled to a maximum training allowance of $3,000 per month per employee for six to 12 months. In 2013-14, 7,753 young school leavers had enrolled on the programme.
Youth Employment Support
The Labour Department operates two youth employment resource centres called 'Youth Employment Start' to offer one-stop advisory and support services to young people aged
1 CSSA is a scheme that helps people with financial difficulties.
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