SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1980
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FROM THAT DAY, AN EMPLOYER MAY EMPLOY A YOUNG PERSON BETWEEN THE AGE OF 14 AND 18 IN THE NEWLY-DESIGNATED TRADE ONLY IF THE YOUNGSTER IS EMPLOYED AS AN APPRENTICE UNDER A CONTRACT REGISTERED WITH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
THE EMPLOYER MAY ALSO DO SO IF THE EMPLOYEE HAS ALREADY COMPLETED AN APPRENTICESHIP IN THAT TRADE OR WITH EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
THE APPRENTICESHIP PERIOD IS THREE YEARS AND THE ENTRY REQUIREMENT IS COMPLETION OF FORM 3.
MR TCHOU DESCRIBED THE NEW DESIGNATION AS A TIMELY MOVE+ BECAUSE OF THE GROWING DEMAND FOR WELL-TRAINED STAFF IN THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.
+YOUNG PEOPLE JOINING THE RANK OF APPRENTICE COOKS CAN FOLLOW SYSTEMATIC TRAINING AND HAVE A BRIGHT FUTURE IN THE INDUSTRY,+ HE NOTED,
MR TCHOU POINTED OUT THAT THE SERVICE INDUSTRY WAS PLAYING AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HONG KONG, BOTH ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY.
+TO COMPETE WITH OTHER COUNTRIES FOR MORE VISITORS, THERE IS A GREAT DEMAND FOR A WORKFORCE CAPABLE OF ACHIEVING A HIGHER STANDARD OF SERVICE, AND THIS IS POSSIBLE ONLY WITH PROPER TRAINING.
+MANY HOTEL WORKERS CAN BEST BE TRAINED THROUGH ORGANISED APPRENTICESHIP, DURING WHICH APPRENTICES RECEIVE BOTH ON-THE-JOB TRAINING AS WELL AS RELATED TECHNICAL EDUCATION, HE ADDED.
MR TCHOU ADVISED HOTEL EMPLOYERS TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDINANCE BY ENTERING INTO CONTRACTS OF APPRENTICESHIP WITH THEIR YOUNG WORKERS.
THE CONTRACT WOULD ENSURE THAT THE APPRENTICE WOULD BE GIVEN ADEQUATE TRAINING. INCLUDING THE STUDY OF A TECHNICAL COURSE AT A GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
THE CONTRACT WOULD ALSO HELP PROTECT THE EMPLOYER FROM LOSING HIS APPRENTICE TO ANOTHER EMPLOYER.
MR TCHOU URGED EMPLOYERS WHO REQUIRE ASSISTANCE IN STARTING AN APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME TO CONTACT THE TRAINING COUNCIL DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
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