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Hong Kong calls on North East expertise

AN EXPERT from the North East will be in Hong Kong next week urging employers to adopt UK style apprenticeships in an effort to curb the Chinese region’s chronic youth unemployment problem.

Paul Champion, managing director of the North East Apprenticeship Company, has been invited by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in Hong Kong to provide advice to local business leaders, government officials, vocational and training councils.

Hong Kong is blighted by one of the highest levels of youth unemployment in Asia Pacific - 60% of the thousands of people out of work are between 15 - 29 years-of-age - hampering economic growth and the development of the next generation of skilled workers and trades people.

Organisations like the BCC recognise the scale of the problem and are looking to the UK, where the re-emergence of apprenticeships is being seen as vital in supporting the training needs of employers while equipping young people with the skills required for a career.

Paul, who is regarded as an expert on youth employment, will explain how the NEAC, which is a not-for-profit organisation, is working towards placing more than 400 apprentices across the North East region annually through partnerships between young people and employers.

Drawing on his own experience, he will advise employers and those involved in training throughout Hong Kong to remove any barriers that might have discouraged them from hiring in the past.

“I will be encouraging people to think about how they engage with young people and look at the benefits of apprenticeships to get the best out of them, many of whom I am sure possess the talent, enthusiasm and willingness to learn if the right path is available to them.

“Equally the message to the unemployed youth of Hong Kong will be to look at the benefits that can be gained from participating in an organised training programme.

“Apprenticeships provide a sense of identity and belonging as well as equipping people with the confidence and important skills to ensure they play a full role in both the company they work for and wider society.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .