After the release of the HKDSE results, you may begin planning your next steps, and employment is one of the options to consider. Among the many industries, which one best matches your personality, abilities, and interests? How should you equip yourself and strengthen your competitiveness? What job‑seeking channels are available? The following sections break down the key information to help you plan ahead with greater clarity.First, whether you already have a preferred industry or are still exploring different possibilities, you may start by browsing the Life Planning Information Website of the Education Bureau, and Talent.gov.hk, an information platform established by the Human Resources Planning Commission. These platforms provide details on job duties, work environments, and personality traits suited to various positions across different industries, helping you gain an initial understanding of each career field.If you are interested in particular job roles, you may further explore the educational requirements, skills, career prospects, and promotion pathways. It is also important to understand the availability of job vacancies in the market and whether relevant training courses are offered, so you can plan your future more comprehensively.In addition, you may visit the Job Centres of the Labour Department to consult employment officers for job‑search advice. Employment officers will provide information on the job market, training courses, and existing employment programmes. They also conduct career aptitude assessments, and offer suggestions on job‑search strategies to support job seekers in planning their career paths.If you are still uncertain about your career direction, you may consider gaining exposure through different trials or experiences. Depending on the industry or job type, you may explore the following programmes:Labour Department – “Youth Employment and Training Programme” (YETP)The YETP provides a comprehensive platform of job search for young people aged 15 to 29 with educational attainment at sub-degree level or below. This programme enables young people to better understand themselves and their work aptitudes while enriching their job skills and experience so as to enhance employability. Key features include:Trainees can enrol in training courses offered by Employees Retraining Board with the assistance of Career Advisors under YETP. YETP will also arrange training courses for special employment projects and specific service targets when appropriate.Workplace Attachment (WPA) opportunities will be offered by the private, public and social service sectors. Each trainee will undergo WPA training in a host organisation for ONE month and there is no employment relationship between the host organisation and the trainee. Trainees are eligible for WPA training allowance provided that they complete the training with an attendance rate of 80% or above.Vocational Training Council (VTC) - Apprenticeship Training SchemeApprenticeship training has duality in essence: apprentice not only has a full-time job with steady income, and complemented with related vocational education; moreover, the training is monitored and supported.  While being an apprentice, he/she accumulates working experience and progress academically concurrently. Key features include:Registered apprentices would be recommended for admitting to relative programme.Starting from 1 April 2024, the Government provides a “Training Allowance” of HK$1,000 per month for each eligible registered apprentice for a maximum of 36 months with a maximum subsidy amount of HK$36,000.The Government also provides an" Upskilling Allowance" with a maximum amount of HK$30,000 for each graduated apprentice. Graduated apprentice who completes apprenticeship training between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2027, remains working in the specified trade for 18 and 36 months, and completed relevant training course to the specific trade, will be eligible to apply allowance for a maximum reimbursement amounts of HK$10,000 and HK$20,000 respectively.When you decide to enter the workforce, you may explore job opportunities through the following channels:Government‑managed Job Platforms- Talent.gov.hk - Labour Department’s Interactive Employment Service- GovHK – Applying for Government JobsThese platforms provide job vacancies, recruitment information, and application requirements for easy reference.Job Fairs / Recruitment Events- Organised by the Labour Department, NGOs, or individual companies, these events often include on‑site consultations, interviews, and seminars, helping job seekers understand industry needs directly.Newspapers, Professional Magazines, and Online Advertisements- Useful for keeping track of recruitment trends in specific industries, especially professional or technical fields.Human Resources Companies / Private Employment Agencies- Provide job‑matching services to help job seekers identify suitable opportunities.If you wish to apply for your preferred job but are unsure where to begin, you may refer to the Labour Department’s Job Hunting Briefcase, which offers practical information on CV writing, interview preparation, and job‑search strategies. You may also join the tailor‑made career advisory activities organised by Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.), designed for secondary school graduates. These activities cover CV preparation, interview skills, workplace etiquette, and even interview makeup and styling workshops, helping students build confidence and prepare for different job‑seeking challenges as they pursue suitable career opportunities.Sources:Education Bureau – Life Planning Information WebsiteTalent.gov.hkLabour Department – Youth Employment and Training ProgrammeLabour Department – Youth Employment StartLabour Department – Interactive Employment ServiceLabour Department – Launch Your CareerVocational Training Council

The Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme (the Scheme) offers you an opportunity to broaden your horizon and explore a new career pathway in the Mainland cities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA)!The Government launched the pilot Scheme in 2021 and gained very favourable feedback from both the participating enterprises and young persons. To foster career development of young persons and the exchange of talents in the GBA, the Labour Department regularised the Scheme since 2023 to encourage more enterprises to engage Hong Kong young persons to work in the Mainland cities of GBA. The 2026 Scheme is now commenced. Enterprises with businesses in both Hong Kong and the Mainland cities of GBA to employ Hong Kong young persons in accordance with Hong Kong Laws and station them in the Mainland cities of GBA to work and receive on-the-job training, may apply for allowance equivalent to 60% of the young persons' monthly salaries with the limit of HK$12,000 per month for a period of up to 18 months.EligibilitiesParticipating young persons must be Hong Kong residents aged 29 or below with educational attainments awarded by higher education institutions within or outside Hong Kong at sub-degree level or above and are legally employable in Hong Kong and the Mainland.Monthly WagesEnterprises must offer a monthly wages of no less than HK$18,000 for young persons holding bachelor's degrees or above and offer salaries at a level comparable with the market rate for young persons with sub-degree qualifications.Eligible young persons can visit the Scheme website for job vacanciesKick-off Ceremony, experience-sharing by participating young people and enterprises (Chinese videos with Chinese and English subtitles)

Insurance is a risk-transfer tool. An individual who takes out an insurance policy pays a premium to transfer the risk of a potential financial loss to an insurer. The larger the expected financial loss, the more important insurance is. To deal with unpredictable risks and to ensure financial security, it is better to take out appropriate insurance as early as possible.No one can predict the future. Without being insured, you may experience financial hardship in the event of an accident. But if you are insured before the accident, you will receive monetary compensation from the insurer to cover at least part of your costs. The earlier you take out an insurance policy, the sooner you are protected.How do I choose an insurance policy that best suits my needs?Changes in the stages of your life affect your risk exposure and responsibilities. To choose a policy that suits your needs, you should, in general, identify your protection needs and objectives according to your current life stage. You can use the online assessment tool developed by the Insurance Authority to find out whether your existing insurance coverage is adequate for your circumstances and forecast your insurance needs for the next 50 years.Which types of insurance do I need?Consider why you want to buy insurance and learn about the functions and features of the different insurance products so that you can choose the type that best suits your needs in different stages of your life. Here are some common insurance products:1. Life insurance2. Critical illness insurance3. Medical insurance4. Accident insurance 5. Annuity6. Fire insurance or home insurance7. Motor insurance 8. Travel insurance 9. Domestic helper insuranceShould I purchase every type of insurance? Is more insurance always better?Everyone has their own path on their life journey with their own circumstances and financial situation, so everyone has different insurance needs. Furthermore, some insurance products, like medical insurance, work on a reimbursement basis. You cannot claim more than the amount actually paid even if you are covered by a number of insurance policies or a policy with a huge sum insured. And the more policies you have and the higher the amount insured, the higher the premiums you will have to pay. Be sure you do not end up with financial problems because of taking out too many policies.Before choosing an insurance product that suits you in terms of coverage, sum insured, premium level and risk level, identify your protection needs according to your current life stage by making reference to one of the following sections: childhood and adolescence, young adulthood, mature adulthood, raising a family, pre-retirement. For more details, please visit the Insurance Authority’s website or its YouTube channel to watch the relevant video series.(The information is abstracted from the Insurance Authority’s thematic sitelet)

The Meaning of WorkWork holds different meanings and values for each individual, but one thing is certain: beyond making a living, there are other important factors that drive us to work hard. To find a job that suits you, you must understand the value of work, recognise your career orientation, and gain insight into the world of work.Life Planning InformationNext up: should I work or further study? Life Planning Information Website of the Education Bureau provides detailed information about both options and will help you make the right decision.Support Services on Employment and Self-employmentIf you decide to join the workforce, you may be puzzled or come across certain dilemmas. You can visit the "Youth Employment Start" for more personal advisory and support services on employment and self-employment. Available services include Career Assessment, Mock Interview Workshop, as well as free business workstation and design corner for young entrepreneurs. You can now try the on-line simplified version of the Career Assessment, as well as register on-line as a preliminary member, apply for activities and make reservation on part of the services of "Youth Employment Start".

To further encourage young people to acquire practical work experience, develop potentials and explore employment opportunities through workplace attachment training under the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) of the Labour Department, the rate of workplace attachment training allowance is increased with effect from 1 June 2025.  Attachment opportunities will be offered by the private, public and social service sectors.  Each YETP trainee will undergo workplace attachment training in a host organisation for ONE month and there is no employment relationship between the host organisation and the trainee.  Trainees are eligible for workplace attachment training allowance provided that they complete the training with an attendance rate of 80% or above.  The amount of allowance is $8,000 for workplace attachment training commencing with effect from 1 June 2025.For details, please visit the YETP’s website or call our hotline 2112 9932.

Commencing from 23 February 2024, the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP) of the Labour Department (LD) has increased the amount of training allowance for trainees to a maximum of $333 per day. Trainees may enrol in training courses of Employees Retraining Board (ERB) or the YETP with the assistance of their case managers with a view to enhancing their employability and preparing them for entering the employment market. Eligible YETP trainees who completed a training course and attained 80% attendance or more are entitled to a training allowance. For training courses commencing on or after 23 February 2024, the amount of training allowance payable for “Youth Training Programme” courses of Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will be calculated at a rate of $167 per valid training day, while that for other ERB courses and the YETP courses will be calculated at a rate of $333 per day (i.e. $166.5 per valid training session). About the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP)The YETP is free and welcomes young school leavers aged 15 to 24 with an educational attainment at a sub-degree level or below to enrol. The YETP offers services that include pre-employment training, workplace attachment training, on-the-job training and case management services provided by registered social workers. For details, please visit the YETP's website. The LD has also set up a Youth Employment Services hotline at 2112 9932 to provide a one-stop enquiry service regarding the programme, and register on-the-job training vacancies from employers.

(The story is in Chinese only. Please refer to the Chinese version.)

Unleash the potential for local young people and Small and Medium Enterprises in the thriving Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong Trade Development Council's  GoGBA one-stop platform offers comprehensive career and business information in the GBA. The GoGBA Go-to Guides for instance, hope to help entrepreneurs and businesses with the first steps of setting up a business, handling taxation and completing related procedures. Connect with business partners and access career information in the GBA with just few clicks！ Visit www.go-gba.com to know more!Stay connected with our GoGBA WeChat Mini-program for the latest updates.(Scan QR code in WeChat)