Edward Yau Meets FIT Participants

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Edward Yau today met over 30 participating employers and interns of the Future International Talent (FIT) programme.

Mr Yau learnt about their work arrangements and experiences and encouraged young people to make good use of such valuable learning opportunities.

Launched by the bureau earlier this year, the programme supports member companies of 14 international chambers of commerce in the city to create full-time entry-level job opportunities for youngsters.

So far around 170 interns have been employed and around 80% of the vacancies created by FIT are in the creative industries, providing suitable job opportunities for the youth.

“FIT offers global perspective and wider exposure to young people through work. It also injects new blood into the industries.

“With the support and collaboration of the participating partner chambers and through their comprehensive networks and knowledge of the trade, the programme is operating smoothly and making very good progress,” Mr Yau said.

Noting that a majority of the job positions are provided by the creative industries related to design, architecture, advertising and marketing, the commerce chief said this shows that the creative industries are not only a new economic driver of Hong Kong, but popular among young people.

The industries will help Hong Kong become a more attractive international metropolis, Mr Yau added.

Funded by the Anti-epidemic Fund, FIT provides monthly salary subsidies of $5,610 per fresh graduate or to-be graduate with no work experience and $10,000 for young people with no more than five years of work experience for up to 12 months.

Separately, about 200 job vacancies have been created for young people under the Telecommunications Opportunities Programme, offering working and training opportunities in the vibrant telecommunications sector in the 5G era.