Like many young people looking to join the workforce, Lemon Lam, 23, has had trouble forging his career path in the current economic environment that has been battered by the COVID-19 epidemic.

Despite having a Higher Diploma in Computer & Electronic Engineering, he has only been able to land part-time stints in sales.

Hoping to find a new career direction, he joined the Employees Retraining Board’s Certificate in Youth Inspiration Training course.

Run by a training body appointed by the Employees Retraining Board, the programme helps young people become more marketable during these challenging times.

Mr Lam said that the course has pumped himself up.

“I was not able to clearly talk about my strengths during job interviews. When a prospective employer asked how I could contribute to their company, I did not know how to answer and I lost the opportunity.”

He explained that his communication skills have improved and he is now better equipped to pursue his dream job.

“I have learnt how to deal with job interviews and my communication skills have improved. In the future, if I am asked about my strengths, I will know how to respond. I am more confident now.”

Attractive content

The training course teaches trainees leadership, problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills.

One of the course’s instructors has even devised a creative way to enhance trainees’ employment outlook by giving them a Korean-style makeover for their headshots.

Instructor Wayne Tsang said: “A good headshot in your resume shows employers that you actually care about your presentation and leaves a good impression.”

To make the course even more attractive to youths, it provides training on offbeat topics.

For example, it offers them a window into Japanese and Korean culture and boosts their short film production and webcasting abilities.

Trainee Mavis Chau said the course has inspired her to learn more about Japanese and short film production.

“I initially thought I would take the course’s elective module to only learn Japanese, but later I found I was able to discover new things about the country’s food and culture.”

Ms Chau, a secondary school graduate who has struggled to pin down full-time work, said she is determined to study Japanese and start making short films for her online broadcasts.

Strong support

The training course extends employment counselling for trainees and offers follow-up services to the programme’s graduates.

“The key feature of this programme is that we will provide additional support and counselling to every individual trainee through registered social workers,” Employees Retraining Board Senior Manager (Course Development) CK Lam said.

“The social workers will help them enrich and polish their CVs according to their backgrounds, such as strengths or past experiences in extracurricular activities.”

Held under the Employees Retraining Board’s Love Upgrading Special Scheme 3, the course is open to people aged between 15 and 24, free of charge, with allowances for eligible trainees.

Visit the course’s website for more details.