Home > Press Releases > 2020 > ERB launches the“Love Upgrading Special Scheme” Phase 2 Offering around 300 training courses free of charge Special allowance at a monthly maximum of $5,800

The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will launch the “Love Upgrading Special Scheme” (“Special Scheme”) Phase 2 on 1 July 2020 to sustain its support for the unemployed or underemployed affected by economic downturn for skills enhancement.  In Phase 2, the number of training courses is substantially increased to about 300, straddling 28 industries, “innovative technology” and “generic skills” disciplines.  The maximum amount of special allowance for each eligible trainee has been increased to $5,800 per month.  

ERB was entrusted by the Government to launch Phase 1 of the Special Scheme in October 2019.  As at 15 June 2020, over 30,000 applications were received.  Following the completion of the Phase 1 on 30 June 2020, ERB will launch the Phase 2 in July 2020 covering more training courses and industry categories.  Altogether 74 full-time vocational skills courses, 167 part-time vocational skills courses, 10 “innovative technology” courses, 23 generic skills courses and 29 dedicated courses for young people, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and persons recovered from work injuries will be offered free of charge.  Trainees will be awarded graduation certificates upon completion of training and fulfilment of graduation requirements.  Trainees who have completed full-time vocational skills training courses will be provided with a 3-6 months’ placement follow-up service.

Eligible persons may submit applications from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020 and attend classes on or before 31 March 2021.  Each applicant may apply up to a total of 4 training courses under the two phases of the Special Scheme with no more than two full-time vocational skills courses.  For applicants who have enrolled but yet to attend classes in Phase 1, their applications will be automatically extended to Phase 2 and need not re-apply.  Applicants may also change their original course choices to suit their training needs.

The Special Scheme Phase 2 offers an array of special arrangements, including the disbursement of special allowance to trainees who have completed each full-time or part-time course under the Scheme with attainment of attendance rate of 80%.  The special allowance for full-time and part-time courses is $223 and $111.5 per day respectively, at a ceiling of $5,800 per month for each eligible trainee.

The Special Scheme does not impose any restriction on industry and educational attainment of trainees.  However, applicants have to be unemployed (including those who finished study or graduated on or after 1 June 2019, but have failed to engage in employment), underemployed or are required by the employers to take no pay leave on or after 1 June 2019 and should meet the entry requirements of individual courses.

Moreover, ERB introduces the “Enterprise-based Training” as a new arrangement of Phase 2 to support corporations or trade associations in arranging their employees or staff of corporate members who are underemployed or taking no pay leave due to the economic downturn to attend part-time courses under the Special Scheme to upgrade their skills and enhance the competitiveness of the corporations at large.  It is a free service for both employers and employees. Employees who have completed the courses with attainment of attendance rate of 80% will be disbursed with a special allowance.  Under the “Enterprise-based Training”, employers may apply for vocational skills courses of the same industry categories in which the employees are engaged.  Each corporation or trade association may apply up to three classes.

ERB will organise “Love Upgrading Special Scheme Enrolment Day” on 15 July 2020 at the Southorn Stadium in Wanchai.  Eligible persons can submit applications onsite for around 100 training courses with classes soon to be commenced.  Training bodies will arrange interviews and class admission on the spot.  Industry and course seminars as well as skills demonstrations will be held in parallel to provide industry and course information to the participants.  Members of the public are welcome to attend. 

For more details of the Special Scheme, course lists and the Enrolment Day, please visit the dedicated website (www.erb.org/scheme) or call ERB hotline 182 182 for any enquiries.