The Financial Industry Recruitment Scheme for Tomorrow under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund will open for applications on September 30, the Financial Services & the Treasury Bureau announced today.

Secretary for Financial Services & the Treasury Christopher Hui said the bureau has set aside $180 million for the scheme to help create 1,500 new jobs in the financial services industry to employ local people and further the industry’s development.

Eligible employers can apply for a salary subsidy of up to $10,000 per month for each eligible new full-time position for 12 months. All the subsidies must be used to settle the pay for employees.

The number of subsidised new positions is capped at 5% of the employer's existing headcount and each eligible employer may receive a subsidy for a maximum of 25 new positions.

Eligible employers must be organisations regulated by the Monetary Authority, the Securities & Futures Commission and the Insurance Authority; trustees approved by the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority or organisations registered with the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

The candidates must be Hong Kong permanent residents.

The bureau has commissioned the Financial Services Development Council to administer the scheme. The council will be responsible for the management of an online application system, approval of applications and distribution of subsidies granted under the scheme.

For enquiries, call 3612 9951 or email FIRST@fsdc.org.hk.