About ERB - Overview

The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) is an independent statutory body set up under the Employees Retraining Ordinance, 1992. The main function of the ERB is to provide retraining to eligible workers to assist them to take on new or enhanced skills so that they can adjust to changes in the economic environment, and have their employability enhanced. Since its establishment, till end of March 2008, over one million and one hundred thousands retraining places had been offered.

ERB consists of a governing body comprising employers' representatives, employees' representatives, human resources professionals and government officials. Currently, the Chairman of the Board is Mr. Tien Puk-sun, B.B.S., J.P.

ERB's policies are implemented by an executive office which is headed by an Executive Director. The present Executive Director is Ms. Rebecca Pun, J.P. A network of training bodies funded by the Employees Retraining Fund is responsible for the provision of retraining courses.

Employees Retraining Scheme (ERS) is funded by the Employees Retraining Fund which was set up in 1992. Apart from capital injection from the General Revenue, the Employees Retraining Fund is financed by a levy charged on employers hiring imported workers (including foreign domestic workers) at a rate of HK$400 per imported worker per month.

With effect from the 2001-02 financial year, the Government provides the ERB with annual recurrent subvention.

Retraining was initially focused on displaced workers who experienced difficulties in finding alternative employment as a result of economic restructuring. Since 1 December 2007, the service target has been extended to include unemployed persons aged 15 or above with education attainment of sub-degree or below. The scheme also covers new arrivals to Hong Kong, the disabled and the industrial accident victims, ex-mentally ill and persons with chronic disease.