The Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme will provide 22,000 training places for young people, Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung says.

Speaking at the souvenir presentation ceremony of the schemes, Mr Cheung said young people are valuable assets of the community and the Government attached great importance to youth employment.

Young people can apply to join the scheme from now until August 26. The Labour Department is prepared to place all eligible applicants into suitable training programmes.

Courses enhanced to meet market demand

The Youth Pre-employment Training Programme's training courses on beauty therapy, information technology and catering services will be enhanced this year to meet market demand and young people's interests.

These include healthy diet production and delivery service; mobile entertainment and ring tone creation; and game and ring tone design for mobile phones.

New on-the-job training courses will also be introduced to the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme, including "Film Professional Training Programme", "School General Affairs Administration Support Trainee Project" and "Club House Seedling Project".

Places of self-employment support scheme increased

The Labour Department also launched the Youth Self-employment Support Scheme in May to provide an alternative to traditional employment for young people who would like to be self-employed.