The Labour Department will launch a new pilot project, Action S4, under the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme in March to help unemployed youngsters with special needs to find jobs more easily.

Commissioner for Labour Tan Kam Mi-wah said the project aims to raise the self-respect and self-confidence of participating trainees, to help them adopt positive attitudes towards life and work.

Action S4 specifically targets trainees from the scheme with an education level of Form Four or below who have failed many times in finding jobs, or are emotionally disturbed or have misbehaved, she added.

The Labour Department has teamed up with 40 member organisations of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service to provide 250 training vacancies for six months for this project.

Some trainees myw work as clerical or administrative assistants, others may become event organisers, library and study room assistants, camp site managers or publicity staff, Mrs Tan said.

Professional case managers and mentors will provide intensive and tailor-made counselling and support services, and provide on-the-job guidance and encouragement.

Each participant will receive a monthly salary of $4,000, and may apply for job-related training subsidies up to $4,000  The host organisations are encouraged to sponsor travel and meal expenses, Mrs Tan said.

The Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme, which began last July, aims to provide unemployed young people aged 19 to 24 with on-the-job training to increase their employability. More than 7,000 trainees have secured employment, in the retail, tourism, commercial, education, personal and community services sectors.