Home > Press Releases > 2008 and Before > Employees Retraining Board Relaxation of enrollment criteria for Part-Time Courses Starting from November 2008

The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) announced that, starting from November 2008, the enrollment criteria for its “Part-Time” courses would be relaxed. All permanent residents of HKSAR aged 15 or above and with education attainment of sub-degree or below can enroll in the part-time training courses, regardless of their employment and income status. The Board is also considering launching part-time courses on job-specific skills, with an aim to help people equip themselves to cope with future challenges.

The ERB pointed out that its part-time courses would no longer be limited to residents who are unemployed, on low income or graduate retrainees of its placement-tied courses in the preceding two years. Upon the launching of new enrollment criteria with effect from November 2008, all permanent residents of HKSAR aged 15 or above and with education attainment of sub-degree or below can enroll in ERB’s part-time courses.

The ERB’s courses are market-oriented and placement-tied. Co-operating with its authorized training bodies (currently 67 nos.), ERB offers up-to-date training courses under its “Manpower Development Scheme”. In the face of the global financial crisis which may bring uncertainties to Hong Kong’s economy, as a pilot scheme, ERB will allow training bodies to offer courses on job-specific skills running in part-time mode. As such, those people who are on-the-job may take relevant courses for the sake of providence. Since such courses will be run on a part-time basis, trainees are not eligible for retraining allowances as set out in other part-time courses of ERB.

With a key objective as “Invest (knowledge) in People” – to upgrade the quality of our workforce, ERB’s prioritized clientele are the unengaged youths, the unemployed and low income group. Also starting from November 2008, the Board will adjust its definition on “Low-Income” from HK$6,333 to HK$7,000 (i.e. 2/3 of the median income of Hong Kong’s employees in recent four quarters). Trainees with an income less than HK$7,000 may apply for course fee exemption. Currently, eligible trainees may obtain fee exemption twice at most in 1 year while they can take a maximum of 5 part-time courses in 3 years. With the relaxation of policies, trainees may get fee exemption thrice a year and there will be no limit for the number of course taken.

Meanwhile, priority will be given to people with financial difficulties. Trainees whose monthly income level range from HK$7,001 to HK$15,000 [Reference: the income median by the HKSAR Census and Statistics Department 2007 – Income of people with tertiary education attainment (non-degree holders)] will receive substantial subsidy on the courses. For trainees with a monthly income over HK$15,000, they will have to bear the full cost of these part-time courses.

ERB is also launching a series of new programmes, including the pilot “Employment Set Sail Scheme” tailored for the new arrivals and ethnic minorities. The Scheme will be carried out in districts such as Tin Shui Wai, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong, aiming to help these clients better know the community as well as their own potentials. The programmes also include modules regarding personal value, local placement culture, relations between jobs and family status as well as stress management, so as to prepare themselves for joining the labour force. Besides, “Personal Attributes” training will be added to all full-time placement-tied courses, which includes personal financial management, personalized career planning, workplace culture, professionalism and integrity, teamwork, communications and interpersonal skills. The training has been designed to help enhance trainees’ adaptability and resilience while keeping a positive attitude towards the challenges ahead. Moreover, trainings on “Foundation Skills” (i.e. Business Chinese, Workplace Putonghua, Workplace English, Commercial Numeracy and IT Application) will be strengthened to enhance graduate trainees’ competitiveness, job stability and upward mobility.

“Youth Training Programme” performs a triage to ERB’s trainees. With effect from October 2008, unengaged youth aged 20 or below should enroll in courses under the said Scheme. Apart from vocational and basic skills training, the Scheme also focuses on personal development by providing individual counselling and support. Positive outlook of life, self-confidence, discipline and the drive to achieve excellence are expected when trainees have completed such courses, which also help them to orient themselves towards the right career path. As for people aged 18 to 20, or those with Secondary 5 education attainment, they may choose to enroll in normal courses or “Youth Training Programme” according to their needs and interest.

In line with the Government’s decision made in October 2007, ERB expanded its service scope in December 2007. More new courses are coming out since July 2008 to better serve the new target clientele. ERB also emphasizes on quality assurance. Its courses are to be recognized by the Government’s “Qualifications Framework” in that graduates would obtain recognized qualifications. ERB had consulted the related industries in the course design and development to ensure the course content is practical and pragmatic which is well-starred by the employers.

In addition to the current 100 courses designed for its original target clientele (i.e. aged 30 or above, with education attainment lower that Secondary 3), ERB newly added over 80 placement-tied courses this year. These courses cover various industries, namely tourism, exhibition, hotel, retail, logistics, information technology, design, merchandising, healthcare, sports, beauty and catering, etc. Furthermore, more than 20 foundation skills courses on languages and computer application are to be opened on a part-time basis for both the unemployed or employed.

ERB has set up the “Training cum Employment Resource Centre” (“TERC”) in October 2008. It is the first service centre in the territory having integrated both training and employment services, aiming to better serve the community. The TERC serves not only as a delivery spot for ERB training courses and services, but also offers multi-tiered services to different clients through regional partnership network. There are also dedicated “service corners” in the Centre providing platforms for information exchange and rapport building among specific clienteles, such as the new arrivals and ethnic minorities. The Centre also endeavours to serve employers within the district by providing free-of-charge recruitment and referral services.

ERB will continue to focus its look at the market changes, hence adjusting its operation in a flexible manner. With its responsive moves, ERB is committed to helping trainees pave a way to a brighter future.