The government pledged on Wednesday to provide more training and education programs for young employees in a handful of industries, aiming to alleviate the youth unemployment rate in both the short and long term.

Among a series of sweeteners, this year's policy address introduced a pilot scheme for vocational training in the service industries, providing apprenticeships in conjunction with professional education for those who are 15 years of age and above.

The government promised about 1,000 training places will be offered each year.

The government is also extending its scheme of 3,000 work opportunities for one more year until the end of March 2013. These temporary job positions currently create work for around 2,800 young people aged between 15 and 29.

Various groups welcomed the decisions, saying that the training programs help young employees - who are usually denied jobs as a result of lack of experience - gain more experience before entering the job market.

Chua Hoi-wai, a business director at the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, commented that young people temporarily employed in the event industry may find full-time jobs, as the industry is flourishing.

With their bargaining chip likely to be raised, young people may dodge harsh working conditions requested by some employers, who otherwise are not willing to hire fresh graduates, commented Tong Kang-yiu, chairman of Service Industry General Union.

Nevertheless, the city's unemployment rate for young people aged between 15 and 19 is at nearly 20 percent, in sharp contrast with the overall unemployment rate of 3.4 percent.

Ho Hei-wah, director of the Society for Community Organization, contended that the fundamental problem lies in insufficient job opportunities for those with low skills and little education.

"The government should look at local businesses which do not necessarily require a university degree," Ho said. "There are always kids who are not the studying kind, but some businesses create profit good enough for one to earn HK$10,000 a month."

There are, however, signs that the government is making an effort to increase economic diversification.

For example, the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute is opening another 2,000 places for students to pursue international cuisine studies, including wine studies, as the city becomes an international wine center.

andrea@chinadailyhk.com

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/13/2011 page1)