The Labour & Welfare Bureau has launched a new series of government-subsidised training courses for the environmental hygiene industry under the Skills Upgrading Scheme.

It has set aside $2.9 million to subsidise 17 new courses, which will provide more than 5,600 training places in the first batch.

The scheme's Environmental Hygiene Industry Working Group Convenor Catherine Yan today said there are around 3,000 local cleaning companies, employing more than 150,000 environmental hygiene workers.

Many of them are exposed to risks in the course of duties, such as handling of construction waste, animal or poultry remains, chemical or medical waste, and even substances with low radioactivity.

"Since only a small number of in-service workers have received formal training, there is a genuine need to provide vocational training for environmental hygiene workers so as to enhance the industry's overall service standard and safeguard public hygiene," Ms Yan said.

The courses are now open to applicants. For details, call 2836 1234 or click here.