Since its inception, the Skills Upgrading Scheme has offered more than 500 courses benefiting over 140,000 in-service workers, Hong Kong Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower Edward Yau said Saturday.

The scheme was launched in September, 2001, by the Hong Kong Education Manpower Bureau to provide specific skills upgrading training to in-service workers with lower educational attainment to enhance their employability and competitiveness on the labor market.

The scheme now covers 23 industries including printing, Chinese catering, import and export trade, electrical and mechanical engineering, property management, insurance, hotel, real estate, beauty care, building maintenance and decoration and some other occupations.

Speaking at the Skills Upgrading Scheme Carnival 2006 launched by the bureau, Yau said, "Some 80 percent of people who joined the scheme said they had acquired useful skills from the courses, and 10 percent of them even got promotions."

During the two-day carnival, trainees of the scheme ran booths to show the public the skills they have acquired.

The event showcases booths and marquees set up by the trainees to give the public a better understanding of their respective industries.

Source: Xinhua