Enhancing Training and Employment Support

91.     This year, the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will increase the number of training places to 130 000 and provide nearly 900 courses covering about 30 industries.  Some of these courses also provide job placement services.  The LD will continue to offer comprehensive employment support to enhance the employability of young people, the middle-aged, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups.  It will also continue to provide financial incentives for employers to employ the disadvantaged.

92.     Some people with disabilities have considerable difficulties securing employment.  The Government will strengthen support for them.  The SWD has launched the “Enhancing Employment of People with Disabilities through Small Enterprises” Project by granting funding for non-government organisations (NGOs) to set up small enterprises employing people with disabilities.  The Government will inject $100 million into the project to create more jobs for these people.  Also, we plan to provide a subsidy from next year onwards for employers of people with disabilities to purchase technical aids and modify work areas to boost the efficiency of such employees.

93.     Targeting non-engaged youths, the ERB launched the Youth Training Programme in 2008 to help them build confidence, stimulate their desire to learn, and facilitate their return to school or employment.  The Vocational Training Council (VTC) will launch a pilot scheme to extend the structured apprenticeship arrangements to service industries, providing young people aged 15 or above with in-service training and relevant professional education.  It is expected that 1 000 additional training places will be offered each year.

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