The Labour Department received more than 21,000 applications for the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme during the joint enrolment period.

Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung said the response is encouraging and it demonstrates that the programmes have won recognition from society.

Although the joint enrolment has ended, young people are welcome to join the programmes any time to better equip themselves and improve their employability, he said.

"To provide training opportunities for more young people, we will be flexible in handling applications that are received after the closing date. We are prepared to place all eligible applicants into suitable training programmes and will not turn them away," Mr Cheung said.

A similar number of applications for the YPTP and the YWETS were received by the department during the joint enrolment period from July 31 to August 26.

The YPTP is a pre-employment training programme for young people aged between 15 and 19, with four modular training sessions on leadership, discipline and team building; job search and interpersonal skills; computer applications; and job-specific skills.

This training is complemented by career counselling and support services throughout the programme and after job placement.

On completion of the modular training, trainees may undergo one month's workplace attachment provided by government departments, social service institutions, and public and private organisations.

Programme offers on-the-job training

Experienced staff in the workplace will act as mentors to support trainees. An allowance of $1,000 will be payable to trainees on completion of the workplace attachment.

The YWETS, which complements the YPTP, provides on-the-job training for young people aged between 15 and 24 who do not hold university degrees.

The scheme provides a 40-hour induction course to help trainees acquire job search, interview and interpersonal skills and cultivate a positive work attitude, discipline and team spirit. Registered social workers will act as participants' case managers.

They will provide personalised career counselling and support services, which cover such areas as pre-employment assessment, formulation of career plan, job-matching and on-the-job support.

The department will canvass training vacancies from employers and arrange trainees to receive six to 12 months' on-the-job training under the guidance of mentors assigned by employers.

Employers will receive a monthly subsidy of $2,000 per trainee during the training period.

Application forms for the YPTP and the YWETS can be obtained from the department's Careers Information Centres and Job Centres.

For enquiries on the YPTP, please call 2835 2188 or click here. Enquiries on the YWETS can be made at telephone 2382 1310 or website.