A new batch of 60 young people has been appointed Hong Kong International Airport Ambassadors.

Speaking at a welcome ceremony today, Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Stanley Hui said the programme provides an excellent platform for young people to gain work experience and better equip themselves for entering the business world.

"It also utilises the airport's multicultural environment to provide a unique opportunity for ambassadors to act as the 'face' of Hong Kong, interacting and communicating with people from all over the world."

Since the launch of the programme in October 2002, more than 560 young people have received on-the-job training under the programme. About 95% of graduate ambassadors secure a job in the service industry within one month of completing the programme, and most of these jobs are aviation-related.

Programme extended

From September, the programme will be extended from six months to one year to offer more comprehensive and diversified training.

An ambassador's duties include providing assistance to travellers inside the terminals and handling customer enquiries at customer-service counters. Working on shifts, recruits are also trained to answer calls on the customer hotline.