Applications for the second phase of the joint recruitment for the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme for 2005/06 will start from January 7.

The Youth Pre-employment Training Programme for 2005/06 comes in two phases and each phase lasts for six to nine months. Phase one started last September and phase two will begin in February.

New training courses will be introduced in phase two to provide youths with different types of job-skill training and to meet market needs.

The programme is a pre-employment training programme for young people aged 15 to 19.

Upon completion, trainees may undergo one month's workplace attachment provided by government departments, social service institutions, and public and private organisations.

An allowance of $2,000 will be paid to trainees on completion of the workplace attachment.

Scheme offers induction courses

The Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme aims to provide six to 12 months' on-the-job training for young people aged 15 to 24 with below-degree educational attainment.

The scheme provides a 40-hour induction course for participants and registered social workers will act as participants' case managers.

Employers will engage participants as trainees and they will receive six to 12 months' on-the-job training. Employers must provide a training plan for the trainee and appoint an experienced staff as mentor.

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

Trainees can enroll in suitable vocational training courses. They can claim reimbursement for the courses and fees up to $4,000 if they have an attendance rate of 90% or attain the qualification.

Applicants streamed according to their training

The Labour Department will stream applicants into the programme or scheme according to their age and previous training received under the programme.

The two projects will jointly set up a booth at the job fairs at the North District Town Hall tomorrow and on February 21. The youth programmes will receive applications on the spot.