SCS encourages non-ethnic Chinese interns to better equip themselves (with photos)

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, today (August 17), attended a sharing session on the 2023 Internship Programme for Non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) Students to learn about their internship experiences and takeaways. She encouraged them to study hard to better equip themselves for their future careers.

     After listening to their sharing of internship experiences, Mrs Yeung was pleased to learn that they have gained something from the internship programme, and have had a happy and unforgettable experience. She said the Government has all along attached great importance to youth training and development, and has provided working and learning opportunities to students with different backgrounds so as to encourage youths with aspirations to serve the community to join the civil service and fulfil their goals. NEC students are also welcome to apply for government jobs.
 
     The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has been organising the Internship Programme for NEC Students since 2019, with a view to helping young NECs accumulate work experience and enhance their competitiveness for employment. So far, over 140 NEC students have taken part in the programme. They were posted to various government bureaux/departments for an internship lasting about eight weeks. Starting from this year, the CSB has been providing NEC interns with basic workplace Chinese language training (e.g. official writing format), with a view to enhancing their awareness and interest in learning Chinese. NEC interns are also encouraged to continue to strengthen their competency in Chinese through other community resources after the internship period so as to be better equipped for their future career development.
 
     Ms Ashok Aswany, who is studying business administration at a university and participated in the internship programme this year, will soon finish her internship in the Community Relations Unit of the Environment and Ecology Bureau (Environment Branch). During her internship, she assists in designing activities to promote carbon neutrality at the Wan Chai Environmental Resource Centre which will be reopened soon, and drafting user guidelines for the new electronic platform of the Environment and Conservation Fund. Despite the fact that some of the tasks were not easy, she enjoyed learning and said that the internship gave her opportunities to meet with different professionals, participate in work meetings and apply what she has learned

     Some placements of the internship programme have involved provision of public services to NEC communities. The NEC interns generally believe that they had a fruitful time during the internship, and that it has enhanced their understanding of the Government's support services for NEC communities.