ENG-1991 — Page 142

EMPLOYMENT

Finding Employment

The Employment Services Division of the Labour Department consists of the Local Employment Service, Central Recruitment Unit and Higher Education Employment Service.

The Local Employment Service provides free placement services to help employers recruit staff and job-seekers to find suitable employment. It operates from 12 offices which are linked by a facsimile system for the rapid exchange of vacancy information. It also provides co-ordinated services to private companies with territory-wide recruitment needs. The Central Recruitment Unit is an agency for the recruitment of non-pensionable staff in all government departments, such as workmen and watchmen. In 1991, to help alleviate labour shortage, the Local Employment Service intensified its publicity efforts through the mass media and organised special exhibitions to encourage more people to use the free employment service.

The Higher Education Employment Service provides free employment assistance to job-seekers who possess post-secondary, university or professional qualifications. It has computerised its operation to provide job-matching and produce promotional materials. Vacancy information is disseminated regularly to universities abroad for the benefit of Hong Kong students overseas. Seminars are also organised to advise job-seekers on job-hunting techniques and employment opportunities.

The Selective Placement Division aims to help disabled persons integrate into the com- munity by providing a free employment counselling and placement service for the physically disabled, mentally retarded and ex-mentally ill persons seeking open employment.

The 3rd International Abilympics was held in Hong Kong in August under the sponsorship of the International Abilympic Federation, Rehabilitation International and the International Labour Office. The Selective Placement Division took part in the four- day Professional Exhibition which featured the latest rehabilitation aids and technology.

The division also launched various activities to promote its work and the employability of the disabled. These included an awards ceremony in August and a seven-day exhibition in November. At the ceremony, awards were given to employers who engaged the largest number of disabled employees or who made special efforts to facilitate the employment of the disabled in the preceding 12 months. Disabled employees with outstanding performance were also commended. The exhibition publicised the working potential of disabled persons as well as the training facilities and technical aids available to them.

Careers Guidance

The Careers Advisory Service of the Labour Department is responsible for promoting careers education in Hong Kong. It provides careers information and guidance to help young people choose a career best suited to their interests, talents and abilities. Its activities include giving careers talks and organising careers expositions, quizzes, regional careers projects, and group visits to commercial and industrial establishments to enable students to gain a better insight of the world of work.

The service also complements careers services by providing training for careers teachers. Every year it organises a seminar on careers education in conjunction with the Education Department and the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters. An annual certificate course for careers teachers is also run jointly with the Education Department and the University of Hong Kong.

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