Labour Advisory Board Report 2009-2010 - Chapter 5

Committee on Employment Services

5.1 Introduction

In May 1976, a sub-committee of the Labour Advisory Board was appointed to advise the Commissioner for Labour on matters concerning the operation of the Employment Services Division (ESD) of the Labour Department (LD). The sub-committee was renamed the Committee on Employment Services (CES) in 1978 and its terms of reference were extended to cover the work of all divisions under the Employment Services Programme of LD.

5.2 Terms of Reference

The committee is established to:

• advise on the employment services provided by LD, including those for the able-bodied and people with disabilities, and the careers advisory service for young people;
• advise on legislative provisions relating to the operation of employment agencies; and
• advise on legislative provisions relating to the employment of local workers outside Hong Kong.

5.3 Composition

Members of CES are appointed by the Commissioner for Labour. The composition of the committee for the term 2009-2010 is as follows:

Chairman:	To be appointed from the non-government sector
Members:	Two# employer representatives from the Labour Advisory Board Two# employee representatives from the Labour Advisory Board Two employer representatives from outside the Labour Advisory Board Two employee representatives from outside the Labour Advisory Board A representative of employers who make use of the employment services of the Labour Department A representative of people with disabilities who make use of the employment services of the Labour Department Not more than two representatives nominated by employment agency associations A representative nominated by the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters A representative nominated by the Employees Retraining Board A representative nominated by the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management A representative from one of the social partners of the Labour Department A representative from a tertiary educational institution Assistant Commissioner for Labour (Employment Services)
Secretary:	A Labour Officer of the Labour Department

^# Only one representative shall be appointed if the chairman has been appointed from this group.

The membership list of CES for the term 2009-2010 is at Appendix II.

5.4 Activities during the 2009-2010 Term

During the 2009-2010 term, CES offered advice on the following employment services and programmes:

Employment services

ESD provides free employment services to able-bodied job seekers. The Employment Information and Promotion Division aims at strengthening the promotion of LD's employment services and the dissemination of job vacancy information through organising publicity and promotional activities. The Selective Placement Division offers specialised placement service to people with disabilities seeking open employment. CES gave valuable suggestions on various programmes and new employment initiatives including the Transport Support Scheme, the Internship Programme for University Graduates and the Recruitment Centre for the Retail Industry, etc.

Youth Pre-employment Training Programme (YPTP) and Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme (YWETS)

YPTP was launched in September 1999 to enhance the competitiveness and employability of young school leavers aged 15-19 through pre-employment training. YWETS was launched in July 2002 to provide on-the-job training to young people aged 15-24 with education attainment below degree level. In September 2009, LD enhanced and integrated YPTP and YWETS into a "through-train" programme - YPTP&YWETS - to provide seamless and comprehensive youth training and employment support. CES noted the progress of the youth programmes and provided valuable suggestions.

Careers Advisory Service

The Careers Advisory Service provides careers education through the provision of careers information to facilitate young people in choosing a career best suited to their talent, interests and abilities. It operates two youth employment resource centres, in the name of Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.), to provide one-stop advisory and support services on employment and self-employment to young people aged 15-29. CES gave constructive advice on the services and training programmes offered by Y.E.S.

One-stop Employment and Training Centre

LD would set up a pioneer one-stop employment and training centre in Tin Shui Wai to streamline, integrate and enhance existing employment and training / retraining services of LD, the Social Welfare Department and the Employees Retraining Board. CES noted the new employment initiative and provided valuable suggestions on the way forward.