The Task Force on Continuing Development & Employment-related Training for Youth will enhance young people's motivation for seeking employment and further education.

Chairman Dr Philemon Choi said it will also foster cross-sector participation in launching and implementing the work.

Speaking after the group's first meeting today, Dr Choi said it aims to co-ordinate and oversee the various training and employment programmes targeted at non-engaged youths.

He said the $50 million earmarked by the Government to support the work pertaining to continuing development and training, will mainly fund pilot projects on personal development and employment-related training.

"In addition, part of the fund will be used for enhancing the awareness of youth workers and organisations in raising our youth's motivation for seeking employment and further education," Dr Choi said. "It will also be used to finance research on topics related to non-engaged youths."

Reference terms approved

During the meeting, the group endorsed its terms of reference:

* to co-ordinate and evaluate the implementation of various personal development and employment-related training programmes provided by government and non-government organisations for non-engaged youths;

* to identify the sectors with employment opportunities and develop suitable training and workplace training programmes for non-engaged youths;

* to administer the Youth Sustainable Development & Engagement Fund to finance pilot projects on employment-related training programmes for non-engaged youths; and,

* to express views and to commission studies on the problems and needs of non-engaged youths and other relevant topics.

It plans to conduct a comprehensive review on the overall effectiveness of all the work done late next year, and to make suitable and concrete recommendations to the Government on future policies and initiatives.