About 300 young people were commended at a Social Welfare Department ceremony today for their contribution in the social welfare care sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Director of Social Welfare Carol Yip said their contribution has not only helped revitalise the sector, but also brought delight to the elderly and rehabilitees.

Noting the social welfare care sector is expanding with more diversified development opportunities, she said the sector needs more young people with the knowledge of professional nursing and technology applications.

In light of the manpower shortage and ageing workforce faced by the sector, as well as the rising demand for long-term care services, the department launched a scheme in 2015 to encourage young people to join the sector.

Under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services, the Government will offer trainees with subsidies to pursue a two-year part-time course to progressively qualify as health workers and achieve multi-skill qualifications.

More than 1,000 trainees have been recruited so far. Service operators will provide an additional 200 training places in 2019-20.

As announced in the 2018 Policy Address, the scheme will be enhanced with a total of 1,200 training places provided in five years starting from 2020-21.