ENG-2005 — Page 174

140 Employment

applicants. During the one-month trial period, participants take up jobs offered by participating organisations. On completion of the work trial, the Labour Department pays each participant an allowance of $4,500 while the participating organisation contributes an additional allowance of $500. By the end of 2005, 321 job-seekers had been placed on work trials.

Helping the Disabled Find Jobs

The Selective Placement Division of the Labour Department helps people with disabilities integrate into the community through open employment. It provides free employment counselling and placement services for the hearing impaired, visually impaired, physically handicapped, chronically ill, mentally handicapped and ex-mentally ill. In 2005, the division launched a series of activities to promote the employment of people with disabilities. It registered 3 920 disabled job-seekers and achieved 2 459 placements, representing an all-time high placement rate of 62.7 per cent.

In April, the Labour Department also launched the Work Orientation and Placement Scheme to enhance the employability of people with disabilities. The scheme offers pre-employment training to disabled job-seekers. A monthly allowance which is equivalent to a half-month's wages for each disabled employee engaged (subject to a ceiling of $3,000) is also given to the participating employers for up to three months. At year-end, 279 people had participated in the pre-employment training programme and 262 found work placements.

Employment Agencies

The Employment Agencies Administration of the Labour Department enforces Part XII of the Employment Ordinance and the Employment Agency Regulations. It monitors the operation of employment agencies through licensing, inspection and investigation of complaints. In 2005, it issued 1 650 employment agency licences and revoked four.

Preparing People for Work

Careers Guidance

The Careers Advisory Service of the Labour Department, through the promotion. of careers education, helps young people choose a career best suited to their talents, interests and abilities and also supports careers teachers with back-up information. The public can also find careers information on the service website www.careers.labour.gov.hk.

Throughout the year, the service arranged student group visits to its Careers Information Centre and various commercial and industrial establishments. Its Education and Careers Expo 2005 attracted 185 191 visitors, while the Information Expo for Secondary School Leavers which was co-organised with the Education and Manpower Bureau attracted 15 000 visitors.