ENG-2004 — Page 188

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support services. The fifth programme was concluded in August 2004, with over 11 300 trainees taking part.

The sixth programme, for 2004-05, is being delivered in two phases. The first phase, which commenced in August, attracted some 6 400 participants.

Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme

To enhance the employability of young people, the Government allocated $400 million to launch the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme in July 2002. Administered by the Labour Department, it aims at providing on-the-job training of six to 12 months' duration for people aged 15 to 24, with an education attainment below degree level. The Labour Department canvasses training vacancies from various industries in the private sector as well as the public sector. In addition, special employment projects tailor-made for different trades and occupations are launched to provide diversified training opportunities for trainees under the scheme.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been commissioned to offer induction training and case management service to trainees. Case managers, who are registered social workers from NGOs, assist trainees to formulate career plans, identify suitable training vacancies, prepare for selection interviews, review their job search strategy, and adapt to the work environment after they are placed into employment.

The target of the scheme is to provide 10 000 training places by July 2004. This target was achieved in November 2003, eight months ahead of schedule. Given this success, the Government allocated another $300 million to extend the scheme for two years to place an additional 10 000 youths into jobs. By year-end, 18 283 trainees were successfully placed in training vacancies under the scheme. In addition, 10 925 trainees were placed in other jobs in the open employment market with the advice and assistance of their case managers.

Feedback from trainees, employers and NGOs on the scheme is highly favourable. Independent consultants from the Centre for Social Policy Studies of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University also confirmed the effectiveness of the scheme in enhancing the employability of young people in a mid-term review conducted in 2003.

Youth Self-employment Support Scheme

The Youth Self-employment Support Scheme is a pilot project launched in May 2004 to train and assist people aged 18 to 24 with education attainment below degree level who are assessed to have the motivation to become self-employed.

Under the scheme, trainees are provided with training and a full range of support services and facilities for a full year from NGOs commissioned by the Labour Department. Altogether 36 projects providing about 1 500 training places in areas with business prospects have been approved under the scheme.

At the close of the application period on October 31, 2004, about 5 200 applications were received with around 1 500 applicants accepted into the scheme.