Numerous measures to help young people upgrade their skills and enhance their employability have been launched by the Government.

This was the message from Financial Secretary Henry Tang today after chairing the Task Force on Employment meeting.

He said the Government attaches great importance to tackling youth unemployment.

"Although the unemployment rate for youths in the August-to-October period eased, with the rate for those aged 15 to 19 falling from 36.1% to a provisional 32.5% when compared with the preceding three-month period, the figure was still much higher than the overall unemployment rate of 8% seasonally adjusted," Mr Tang said.

"Youngsters, especially first-time job seekers, may find it difficult to secure employment owing to their limited practical skills and working experience, especially in a slack labour market. The longer these young people stay idle, the more difficult it will be for them to enter the labour market.

"The Government has launched a wide range of programmes to provide more diversified education and training pathways, as well as employment-related packages to upgrade the skills of our youth according to their interests and to enhance their employability."

Examples of such programmes include the launching of the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme, Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme and Project Yi Jin, and the provision of senior secondary school and associate degree programmes.

Youngsters interested in self-employment can make use of the facilities at the Vocational Training Council's Business Start-up Centre, and the Support & Consultation Centre for Small & Medium Enterprises run by the Trade & Industry Department.

The Home Affairs Department, together with non-government organisations, has also provided various platforms and venues, such as the Youth Culture & Entrepreneurship Corner at Victoria Park, where youths can test their entrepreneurial skills.

Members of the task force were also briefed on CEPA's likely impact on local employment.

"CEPA will bring about unprecedented opportunities to Hong Kong business, trade and service sectors, which will facilitate our economic restructuring and create employment opportunities, both directly and indirectly," Mr Tang said.

"Professional practitioners and enterprises are encouraged to make full use of the benefits offered by the arrangement. The Government understands that there are requests for an impact assessment of CEPA on local employment and will proceed shortly to identify the technical and other requirements of conducting such an assessment as soon as possible."