The Skills Enhancement Project specially designed for sectors hard-hit by SARS received more than 9,000 eligible applications before its deadline on May 24.

The first batch of 5,500 successful applicants will commence training on June 2.

The $150-million project provides training places for unemployed workers in the catering, retail, hotel and tourism sectors, or for workers in these sectors who are temporarily suspended from employment without pay.

There are still places available for the tourism industry. Those who are interested can submit their applications for the integrated course for this sector and the integrated training course for tour guides before May 28.

Applications from coach drivers who mainly receive inbound tourists will also be flexibly considered for admission to the integrated course for tourism.

The project comprises two components, namely trade-specific skills enhancement training and complementary generic training which is applicable to all industries, each lasting for four weeks.

All training courses are free of charge and each trainee will receive a special allowance at a rate of $200 per day of actual attendance for up to $4,000 per month during the whole period.

Successful applicants will be informed of the result in writing within this week by the Employment Retraining Board.

Their ID card numbers will be uploaded to the special website for this project at the board's website and published in Ming Pao newspaper on May 29.

Application forms for the project can be obtained from the board's Office, Labour Department job centres, district offices of the Home Affairs Department and about 100 participating training centres.

They can also be downloaded from the board's and the department's websites. Enquiries can be made to the special telephone hotline 183 3113.