Policy Address

Human Resources in Care Services

85.         To cope with the demand for care personnel, and to provide the younger generation with more employment options, the Government introduced a "first-hire-then-train" pilot scheme through the Lotteries Fund last year.  Under the scheme, young people are recruited to provide care services at residential care homes for the elderly and are provided with subsidies to pursue a two-year part-time programme offered by the Open University.  After completing the programme, they can be promoted to a higher position and pursue further career development in care services.  Since the pilot scheme has been well received, the Government has earmarked funding to expand it to cover rehabilitation services and provide an additional 1 000 places in the coming few years.

One-stop Service for Processing Applications for Welfare Benefits

86.         To improve the current situation that requires the public to approach different departments to apply for benefits under different welfare schemes, the Government will commission a consultancy study to examine the feasibility of providing a more user-friendly one-stop service.

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