Work force: Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang (second left) launches the second batch of Intensive Employment Assistance Projects.

Director of Social Welfare Paul Tang today officiated at the launch of the second batch of Intensive Employment Assistance Projects and the Appreciation of Caring Employers awards presentation.

The projects are tailor-made for employable Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients and 'near CSSA' recipients to help improve their job skills so they can move towards greater self-reliance.

Last year, the department obtained a $200 million allocation from the Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Lotteries Fund to commission non-governmental organisations to support the projects over a four-year period from 2003 to 2007. These projects are expected to serve at least 27,000 unemployed.

Following the successful implementation of the first batch of 40 projects launched last October, 30 projects to be run by 21 selected non-government organisations will be supported in the second batch, from this month to September 2007.

At today's ceremony at Leighton Hill Community Hall, 13 employers who have contributed to the employment of CSSA recipients were presented with Appreciation of Caring Employers awards.