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Employment

accordingly. Since September, this programme has been extended to cover part-time jobs, which stipulate 18 to less than 30 working hours per week, to meet the needs of middle-aged people who are more interested in part-time employment.

Work Trial Scheme

Under this scheme, each participant who undergoes a one-month work trial receives $6,900 from the department, of which $500 is paid by the organisation in which the participant served. In 2015, 232 people with difficulties in finding jobs took part in the trials.

Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme

This scheme, launched 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. From the claim months of 2013, applicants could choose to apply on an individual or household basis. As at end-2015, 98,463 workers had received the subsidy.

People with Disabilities

The department helps people with disabilities who are fit for open employment to seek jobs. It provides free employment counselling and placement services to people who are formerly mentally ill or have conditions such as hearing or visual impairment, physical handicap, chronic illness, autism, intellectual disability, specific learning difficulties and attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. In 2015, the department registered 2,720 job-seekers with disabilities and secured 2,401 placements.

The Work Orientation and Placement Scheme improves employment opportunities for people with disabilities by paying an allowance to encourage employers to provide jobs and employment support. A participating employer who hires 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 2015, there were 811 job placements made under the scheme.

Preparing People for Work

Youth Employment and Training Programme

This programme 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. It is an effective platform for government departments, employers and non-governmental organisations to work together to help young people enhance their employability, improve job search skills and secure employment. Employers who engage eligible young people under the programme and provide them with on-the-job training are entitled to a maximum training allowance of $3,000 per month per employee for six to 12 months. In 2014-15, 6,741 young school-leavers enrolled on the programme.

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