The unemployment rate from April to June for people aged 15 to 24 fell 0.9%, to 8.3%, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says. He adds the number of unemployed youth fell by 5,200 to 29,800 compared with the same period last year.

Speaking at the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Work Experience & Training Scheme award-presentation ceremony today, Mr Cheung said the Government would continue to help young people find jobs by enhancing manpower training and promoting life-long learning.

The programmes aim to enhance young people's employability, facilitate a smooth transition to employment, and provide sustainable employment opportunities, Mr Cheung said.

"With the benefit of a 'revolving door' mechanism, trainees received through-train pre-employment and on-the-job training support," he added.

The programmes have trained 85,000 young people since 1999, while 56,000 have secured employment since 2002.

Applications open on August 2

Joint applications for the two programmes will be open to people aged 15 to 24 on August 2. The Labour Department has set up a youth employment services hotline - 2112 9932 - to answer questions and receive employers' training vacancies.

The department has also introduced the Targeted Career Training Mission, a trial project under Youth Pre-employment Training Programme. It will introduce smaller size training classes underpinned by a career guidance service by registered social workers.