Whenever the announcement of HKDSE exam results approaches, many students feel anxious about their performance. After receiving their results, they may experience even greater pressure if the scores do not match their own or their family’s expectations. Everyone reacts differently to stress and anxiety, and when emotions become overwhelming, you will be affected physically, emotionally, cognitively, or behaviorally. It’s crucial to pay attention to these signs, especially if they intensify, as professional assistance may be needed. Many professionals in social welfare organisations are willing to listen, provide emotional support, and also offer relevant information on further studies.Among all, the Shall We Talk initiative, which is jointly organised by the Advisory Committee on Mental Health and the Department of Health, delivers a series of information for students including mental well-being, common sources of stress and coping strategies for DSE-related pressure. Their website also introduces the 24-hour emotional support hotline, 18111, which is staffed by professionals. In addition, they provide a list of organisations offering emergency assistance.Besides, the Education Bureau has also collated the counselling services organisations into a “Community Resources and Helplines” list, in which counselling services that are suitable for HKDSE candidates are selected below. The counselling services are offered through various channels, allowing students to connect with the appropriate institutions based on their needs.1. Jockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support - Open Up (Chinese & English)Website: https://www.openup.hk/index.htm?lang=enFacebook / InstagramWhatsApp/ SMS: 9101 2012[Service Hours: 24-hour online counselling service]2. The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong - “Chatpoint” (Chinese & English)Website: https://chatpoint.org.hk/#/home[Service Hours:Monday to Friday (4 pm to 1 am next day)Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays (8 pm to 1 am next day)]3. Caritas Hong Kong - Caritas Infinity Teens (Cantonese, Putonghua, English)Website : http://it.caritas.org.hk/  (Chinese only)Phone Number: 2117 0321WhatsApp/ Signal: 9377 3666Email: [email protected][Service Hours:Monday and Tuesday (10 am to 6 pm);Wednesday and Thursday (2 pm to 10 pm);Friday and Saturday (6 pm to 2 am next day);Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays]The above information is for reference only. Updated information will be subjected to the announcement of individual organisations. If information from other organisations is needed, please contact the school social workers, counsellors, etc.Sources:Education Bureau - Life Planning Information WebsiteThe Shall We Talk initiativeJockey Club Online Youth Emotional Support - Open UpThe Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong Caritas Hong Kong - Caritas Infinity Teens (Chinese version only)

After the release of the HKDSE results, you may start to consider your possible future paths. Employment is one of the options. Among all the industries, which one best suits your personality, abilities, and interests? How can you equip yourself? What job-seeking channels are available? Let’s break it down step by step!First, whether you already have a preferred industry or are still considering your options, you can start by browsing the Industries and Jobs - Life Planning Information Website under Education Bureau and Careers Exploration - Talent.gov.hk to understand the responsibilities, work environment, and personality matches for different positions across various industries. If you are interested in certain job positions, you can further explore the educational requirements, skills, career prospects, and promotion pathways. More importantly, you can get to know the vacancies available in the market for these positions and any relevant courses available in these websites.In addition, you can visit the Job Centres of the Labour Department to consult employment advisors for job search advice. Employment advisors provide information of the latest employment market, training courses and existing employment programmes available to meet the needs of individual job seekers. They also conduct career aptitude assessments for job seekers and offer job search advice.If you are unsure about your career direction, you may consider giving yourself more trials and experiences by participating in the Labour Department’s Work Trial Scheme or the following on-the-job training/ apprenticeship programmes:Labour Department’s "Youth Employment and Training Programme" (YETP) The YETP provides free and dedicated training and employment support services to young people aged 15 to 29 with an 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. Career Advisors of YETP provide trainees with career development services. Trainees may also choose to participate in training courses, workplace attachment training and on-the-job training. The programme also recently launched the Greater Bay Area Work Experience Attachment Programme this summer, offering 1-month workplace attachment in the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities for YETP trainees aged 18 to 29.Vocational Training Council (VTC)'s Apprenticeship and Other Training Programs Apprenticeship 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.When you make up your mind to enter the workforce, you can consider exploring job opportunities through the following channels:Government-provided job platformsTalent.gov.hkLabour Department's Interactive Employment Service"GovHK - Applying for Government Jobs"Job fairs/recruitment events organised by the Labour Department, NGOs, or individual companiesNewspapers, professional magazines, and online advertisementsPrivate employment agenciesRecommendations from friends and relativesSelf-recommendation to potential employersIf you determine to apply for a job but don’t know where to start, don’t worry! You can refer to the Labour Department’s Job Hunting Briefcase or participate in a series of tailor-made career advisory activities organised by the Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.); with an aim to assisting and equipping secondary school graduates in pursuit of a promising career. These activities range from CV preparation to interview makeup and styling workshops, helping you confidently tackle various job-seeking challenges and finally secure your dream job!Sources:Education Bureau - Life Planning Information Website Talent.gov.hkLabour Department - "Youth Employment and Training Programme"Labour Department - Youth Employment StartLabour Department - Interactive Employment ServiceLabour Department - "Launch Your Career""Job Hunting Briefcase"GovHK - One-Stop PortalVocational Training Council

Feeling worried about your future career prospects after completing HKDSE? Want to enter the workforce but don't know where to start?The Labour Department (LD) has launched a special programme, 'Launch Your Career', from May to August this year 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 their careers and enhance their employability.The dedicated webpage of 'Launch Your Career' helps identify various job vacancies suitable for secondary school leavers, so that school leavers can apply according to their personal aspirations. The dedicated website also provides details on different types of job fairs organised by the LD, including:Recruitment days under the Youth Employment and Training Programme (YETP): YETP targets young people aged 15 to 29 with educational attainment at sub-degree level or below. Trainees 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 may have on-the-spot job interviews with employers from various industries, speeding up their job hunting process; andLarge-scale job fairs: A diverse range of job vacancies, many of which are suitable for secondary school leavers, will be provided.In addition, 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 'Career Fresh Up' programme at the same time. Career assessment and career consultation for school leavers to plan their careers in advance are also provided. The latest information has been uploaded to the dedicated webpage of 'Launch Your Career'. School leavers, feel free to take a look for reference!