The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector 2025-26 starts inviting applications from 13 January. The programme, which will last for two years, aims to train students to become enrolled nurses to alleviate the shortage of nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services. A total of 427 places will be provided by three training institutes.

In response to the keen demand for nurses in the welfare sector, the department has commissioned the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, the Saint Francis University and the Tung Wah College to provide the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector for five consecutive years starting from the 2023-24 academic year.

Eligibility

Applicants for the programme must:

• be permanent Hong Kong residents with the right of abode in Hong Kong

• have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences

• have attained Level 2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A (Note) and B, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or an equivalent qualification

• take note of other entry requirements as specified by respective training institutes

To encourage young people and frontline staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their professional skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to pursue a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees will be reimbursed to trainees in full on the condition that they have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as enrolled nurses within two years. Trainees will be required to sign an undertaking to work as Enrolled Nurse (General) in NGOs or private organisations recognised by the SWD for providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services for a continuous period of no less than three years after completion of the training. 

Training Institutes and Information Seminars

Information seminars on the training programme will be held by the three institutes starting from February. Details about the dates and time of the information seminars, the relevant websites and enquiry numbers are set out in the table below:

Application Deadline

Applications will be closed at 5pm on 3 March. For enquiries, please call the enquiry numbers of the training institutes.

Note: "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development will be accepted as Level 2.