The Maritime & Aviation Internship Scheme Boat Tour & Sharing Session was held today to introduce the features of the enhanced scheme and Hong Kong’s marine facilities to tertiary institution and secondary school students, and to encourage them to join the trades after graduation.

A flagship project of the Maritime & Aviation Training Fund, the scheme now accepts applications for both maritime and aviation internship places throughout the year.

Application eligibility has been extended to cover any one of the following:

(i) full-time local students studying undergraduate or sub-degree programmes in local institutions; or

(ii) full-time students studying undergraduate or sub-degree programmes in institutions outside Hong Kong; or

(iii) Secondary 6 school leavers.

The training fund subsidises 75% of the monthly honorarium paid to each intern by participating companies or $7,000, whichever is lower, for a subsidy period of up to three months a year.

At the sharing session today, Acting Secretary for Transport & Logistics Liu Chun-san said: “The enhanced scheme enables more young people to gain a better understanding of the industry operation and career prospects, acquire related knowledge and enhance their work skills.”

Marine Department staff, industry practitioners and student interns also shared with the participants the great prospects of Hong Kong’s maritime and vessel sectors.

Since its launch in 2014, over 3,600 students have joined the scheme in various maritime and aviation companies in Hong Kong.

The Government said it will continue to promote the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s maritime and aviation industries, including nurturing talent, with a view to strengthening the city’s position as an international maritime centre and aviation hub in the National 14th Five-Year Plan.