The Labour Department (LD) will launch a special programme, "Career Let's Go", from May to August for secondary school leavers who intend to enter the employment market. Through an array of diversified pre-employment training and employment services, the programme aims to help school leavers obtain the latest employment information, plan for their careers and enhance their employability. The programme is expected to draw about 14 000 participants.

     An LD spokesperson said, "We have identified various job vacancies suitable for secondary school leavers who can browse the vacancies on the dedicated webpage of 'Career Let's Go' and make applications according to their personal aspirations."

     The dedicated webpage also provides details on different types of job fairs organised by the LD, including:

* Recruitment days under the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP): The programme targets at young people aged 15 to 24 with educational attainment at the sub-degree level or below. Trainees being placed into employment will undergo salaried on-the-job training for six to 12 months;

* Recruitment days held at the LD's job centres in different districts and industry-based recruitment centres: Job seekers can have on-the-spot job interviews with employers of various industries, saving their time in job hunt; and

* Large-scale job fairs: A diversified range of job vacancies, many of which are suitable for secondary school leavers, are provided.

     "To equip school leavers by enhancing their job interview skills and instilling proper values in their work ethics, the LD's two youth employment resource centres, namely Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.) in Mong Kok and Kwai Fong, will organise a series of practical training courses through the 'Happy@Work' programme. We also provide career assessment and career consultation for school leavers to make early planning for their careers," the spokesman said.

     "We encourage secondary school leavers opting to enter the employment market to join our YETP, which provides one-stop comprehensive pre-employment and on-the-job training. With no pre-set quota, the programme is free of charge, with allowances payable to trainees."

     The latest information of "Career Let's Go" has been uploaded to its dedicated webpage (www.jobs.gov.hk/careerletsgo). Details of various events are also enclosed in the appendix. Enquiries can be made at the LD's 24-hour hotline 2717 1771 which is operated by 1823.

     The Government announced today (May 9) the appointment of two new members to the Advisory Committee on Mental Health (ACMH) with effect from May 9 this year to November 30, 2025.
 
     The two newly appointed members are Dr Amos Cheung Chuen-yih and Ms Amy Chan Lim-chee. Dr Cheung is a clinical psychologist in private practice with ample experience in the field while Ms Chan is a sportsperson who actively advocates sports and various community services.
 
     Established in December 2017, the ACMH advises the Government on mental health policies, including the adoption of a more integrated and comprehensive approach to tackle multifaceted mental health issues, assisting the Government in formulating policies, strategies and measures, as well as following up on and monitoring the implementation of various recommendations of the Mental Health Review Report, with a view to enhancing mental health services in Hong Kong.
 
     The membership list of the ACMH is set out on the webpage of the Health Bureau: www.healthbureau.gov.hk/en/committees/acmh/membership.html.

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     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (May 9) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at  Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach in Islands District; and Hap Mun Bay Beach and Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (May 9) increased the industry coverage of the Pilot Rehabilitation Programme for Employees Injured at Work (Pilot Programme). Apart from covering the original construction industry, it has now been expanded to the catering and hotel industry and the transportation and logistics industry with a view to assisting more injured employees in these industries to recover and return to work early.

     The three-year Pilot Programme was rolled out in September 2022, adopting a case-management approach to provide prompt and co-ordinated private outpatient rehabilitation treatment services to participating injured employees. The rehabilitation services provided include medical treatment (provided by general practitioners/family physicians, orthopaedic doctors or occupational physicians), physiotherapy, occupational therapy and imaging examination services. Each participant will have a case manager to follow up on rehabilitation treatment and assist with return-to–work arrangements.

     An LD spokesman said, "Expanding the Pilot Programme will benefit more injured employees. Funded by the Government, participants only need to pay the same fees as public hospital services for receiving private rehabilitation treatment services. With the waiting time for services saved, participants can benefit from timely treatments. The early recovery and return-to-work of employees can also help maintain the productivity of employers."
 
     Injured employees meeting the following criteria can participate in the Pilot Programme:
 

1. they were engaged in the construction industry, catering and hotel industry or transportation and logistics industry* at the time of the work injury;
2. they sustained a musculoskeletal injury as a result of the work injury or contracted a musculoskeletal occupational disease prescribed under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance (ECO); and
3. they have been, or are expected to be, absent from work for six weeks or more because of the work injury.

 
     (*The work injuries of employees of the catering and hotel industry and transportation and logistics industry happened on or after April 1, 2024.)
 
     The rehabilitation treatment, case management and return-to-work facilitation services under the Pilot Programme are provided by Actmax Limited, a subsidiary of Human Health Holdings Limited, engaged by the Government. The organisation has established the Work Injury Rehabilitation Office (WIRO) to implement the Pilot Programme in collaboration with its strategic partner, CUHK Medical Centre, under the supervision of the LD.
      
     The LD and WIRO will, based on the reported work injury cases, preliminarily identify suitable injured employees and contact them to introduce the Pilot Programme. Injured employees must undergo a clinical assessment by a case doctor to ascertain that their injuries are suitable for treatment under the Pilot Programme.
      
     The spokesman reminded that employers should comply with the requirement of the ECO on the reporting of work injury cases to the LD as soon as possible so that eligible injured employees can join the Pilot Programme early and receive rehabilitation treatment.
 
    For details of the Pilot Programme, please visit the dedicated webpage of the WIRO (www.prp-wiro.gov.hk) or call 2293 7000. 

　　The Henry G. Leong Yaumatei Community Centre temporary shelter (60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon), earlier opened by the Yau Tsim Mong District Office today in response to the fire incident at a building on Temple Street in Jordan, has now been stood down today (May 9).