ENG-2013 — Page 149

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Employment

Work Trial Scheme

In 2013, 345 job seekers with special difficulties in finding jobs took part in the Work Trial Scheme. On completion of the one-month trial, each participant receives $6,400 from the Labour Department, of which $500 is paid by the organisation the participant served.

Employment in One-stop

This one-stop employment and training centre in Tin Shui Wai provides employment and training to needy job seekers, including unemployed able-bodied recipients of Comprehensive Social Security Assistance - a scheme that helps people with financial difficulties. 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 2013, 71,652 job seekers made use of the centre's services and facilities.

Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme

This scheme (started 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. As at end-2013, 63,974 workers had received the subsidy. From the claim months of 2013, applicants could choose to apply on an individual or household basis, benefiting more grassroots workers.

Helping Persons with Disabilities Find Jobs

The Labour Department's Selective Placement Division 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 2013, the division. launched various employment and promotional programmes, registered 2,605 job seekers with disabilities and secured 2,461 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. Starting from June, an 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 2013, there were 661 job placements made under the scheme.

Preparing People for Work

Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP)

The YETP (formerly known as the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme) 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

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