The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) introduced the “Hire and Train” Scheme (the “Scheme”) to encourage potential workforce to enter the employment market through the provision of flexible work arrangements and on-the-job training, and assist in alleviating manpower shortage in the employment market. Target participants of the “Scheme” are mainly middle-aged women and homemakers.
Participating employers1 will provide job vacancies and suitably modify the working hours and leave arrangements to cater for the family commitments of trainees. The employers will also provide on-the-job training and other related support measures to encourage trainees to stay in employment. Appointed Training Bodies of ERB will assist in the recruitment of trainees and provide designated training courses for the hired trainees during working hours so that the trainees will be able to master relevant skills required in their daily duties.
Please contact ERB at (852) 182 182 or Training Bodies for further details of the “Scheme”.
1 In general, employers participating in the “Scheme” are expected to meet the following requirements: (a) to provide adequate vacancies of relevant job type(s); (b) to arrange work schedule that caters for the family commitments of the service targets (i.e. middle-aged women and homemakers) such as fixed working days on weekdays and fixed rest days on weekends and public holidays; (c) to appoint trainees for not less than one year and on continuous contract terms (i.e. at least 18 working hours per week); (d) to offer remuneration at or beyond market level; (e) to ensure that the job requirements and training needs align with ERB’s service targets and relevant training course(s); (f) to ensure that the employer has never been involved in negative news; and (g) to show interest in participating in the Labour Department's “Employment Programme for the Elderly and Middle-aged”.
