Manpower training needed to strengthen our advantage
Hong Kong must continue to invest heavily in manpower training and development to further strengthen the competitive advantage of our world-class workforce, the Commissioner for Labour, Mrs Pamela Tan Kam Mi-wah, said today (February 21).
"Towards these ends, we need to build up a huge database on education and career opportunities, and to make such a database easily accessible to members of the public.
"The Education & Careers Expo plays a very important role by providing a one-stop channel for students, job seekers and the general public to explore a diversity of educational and career development options," Mrs Tan said when welcoming visitors and guests to the Expo.
The Expo, jointly organised by the Labour Department and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) with a theme on "Bracing Up for Challenges", was opened today by the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr the Hon Rosanna Wong Yick-ming; the Executive Director of HKTDC, Mr Michael Sze, and Mrs Tan.
Tens of thousands of students, young people and working adults flocked to the venue to gather the most up-to-date information on careers, educational and training opportunities.
"I am pleased to see that 283 local and overseas educational institutions as well as 60 careers exhibitors are joining the Expo this year. Apart from the attractive booth displays, a series of seminars and video programmes will provide in-depth information on various subjects of interests," Mrs Tan noted.
"The 'Local Education' and 'Overseas Education' sections in the Expo feature the many courses and programmes offered by educational institutions in Hong Kong and overseas countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
"Profile of local tertiary education is available from the Higher Education Pavilion jointly organised by the eight local higher education institutes. We are also pleased to have a handsome number of educational bodies in the 'China Pavilion' to offer multiple alternatives for those who would like to study in China," she continued.
"The Careers Section of the Expo provides the most up-to-date information on the local employment market. Private enterprises, professional associations, vocational training institutions and government departments are there to offer useful information on job prospects, market intelligence, and self-developmental opportunities," Mrs Tan added.
The Careers Section features organisations from a wide cross-section of our trades and industries, including some emerging sectors. They include transportation and logistics, mass media, telecommunications, financial services, accounting, insurance, information technology, and civil service openings.
This year, visitors can have an in-depth understanding of the job market by attending careers seminars and video shows on various trades and professions.
The seminar entitled "Getting Prepared: From Job Hunting to Working" is tailor-made for youngsters to learn job hunting skills and tips for preparing for work.
The Labour Department also provides information on the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme for school leavers at the venue.
The department's booth presents its diversified employment services for different clients including young people, job-seekers and people with a disability.
There are computer games and video shows at the booth outlining the department's employment services. Visitors can browse through the Interactive Employment Service on the internet and Careers Information Website for the latest vacancies and careers information.
The Expo is open today until Sunday (February 24) at Level 7 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Admission is free.
Opening hours are as follows:
February 21 (Thursday) 10:30 am to 6:30 pm
February 22 (Friday) 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
February 23 (Saturday) 10:00 am to 6:30 pm
February 24 (Sunday) 10:00 am to 6:00 pm