The unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 from April to June fell 1.3% to 9.2%, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says, adding that the number of unemployed youth fell by 4,500 - to 35,000 - compared with the same period last year.

Speaking at the 2007-08 Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme joint-application launch today, Mr Cheung called on employers to nurture young people to ensure robust development in Hong Kong.

He said 80,000 young people have been trained under the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and 50,000 have secured jobs under the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme.

"Although there are significant improvements in the employment market, the Government understands that low-skill and low-education-level job seekers still have difficulties in securing a job. The Government will continue to enhance and co-ordinate related services in a bid to assist job seekers," Mr Cheung said.

Transport allowance

Also speaking at the ceremony, Commissioner for Labour Cherry Tse said trainees are entitled to a transport allowance this year, should they complete a Youth Pre-employment Training Programme modular course or the Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme induction course.

The Labour Department will also open two youth employment resource centres in the fourth quarter to provide one-stop comprehensive services on career counselling, skills enhancement and support for self-employment for people aged between 15 and 29.

Joint applications for the two programmes are now open to people aged 15 to 24. Application forms can be downloaded here, or obtained from the department's Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme offices, Careers Information Centre and Job Centres; designated training bodies; Home Affairs Department Public Enquiry Service Centres and Social Welfare Department district offices.