A study by Hong Kong Polytechnic University has affirmed the effectiveness of the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme, recommending the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government to continuously implement it.

Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labor Matthew Cheung said on Sunday that the Labor Department will study the findings and consider the recommendations, according to a government press release.

The department commissioned the university to review the scheme. The university also conducted an 18-month study on 800 trainees.

The report said the scheme has adopted a set of "active labor market policies" and is in line with the standards promulgated by the International Labor Organization.

Trainees made significant improvement in various aspects, such as preparation for work and employability, after joining the scheme for a year. The report said the job-training and career counseling service improved their job-seeking skills and attitudes.

More than 60 percent of the trainees who completed on-the-job training were offered continued employment by their employers. This clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of the training opportunities in enhancing employability.

The study found the scheme could increase trainees' motivation in continuous study and enhance their psychological qualities and self-esteem.

To tie in with the application of the second phase of joint recruitment and the Youth Pre-employment Training Program, a bus parade will be staged to promote the two schemes and accept on-the- spot applications for enrollment.

HKSAR government is making efforts to encourage creation of job opportunities, and the unemployment rate was reduced to 5.3 percent by the end of December, 2005, the lowest level since 2001.

Source: Xinhua