Highlights of the Scheme
Feedback from employers is encouraging. Among others, the service sector is most supportive towards the Scheme, followed by the import and export industry and the retail industry. As for the work trial posts offered, most of them are clerical support workers, elementary occupations and associate professionals. As at 31 December 2023, over 6,900 job seekers have been placed into work trials. Among those participants who have completed the one-month work trial, over 70% of them are offered employment. With effect from 1 May 2023, on completion of the one-month full-time work trial, each Scheme participant will receive an allowance of up to $9,600 while the allowance for part-time work trial participant will be calculated at $57 per hour.
For enquiries, please contact the Work Trial Scheme Co-ordinating Office hotline at 2152 2090 or browse our website https://www.jobs.gov.hk
Success Stories
Work Trial Scheme aims at enhancing the employability of job seekers who have difficulties in finding jobs. Below are two of the successful cases:
Case 1
Voices from Job Seeker:
Technician to Carve out Second Career
Mr. FUNG used to be a printing technician. However, the local printing industry gradually declined, he was forced to "change career". During job search, he has knowledge of the "Work Trial Scheme" from the Interactive Employment Service website of the Labour Department and registered himself as a participant. Thanks to the Employment Officer of the Scheme, Mr. FUNG was arranged to participate in a one-month work trial in an aluminum window engineering company. Given his work experience on maintenance related jobs, Mr. FUNG admitted that aluminum window maintenance was completely different from his previous work. Mr. FUNG was very grateful for the guidance of Mr. PANG, the person in charge of the company. He was also glad that he joined the Scheme, got to know the company and was given the work trial opportunity. Mr. FUNG's work attitude was appreciated by Mr. PANG. He was hired by the company as a permanent staff after the work trial period.
Mr. FUNG pointed out that the Scheme can help job seekers who have difficulty in finding jobs and the participating organisations are willing to provide work trial opportunities to job seekers of different backgrounds. He encouraged job seekers to join the Scheme.
Voices from Participating Organisation:
Help Technician to Carve out Second Career
Mr. PANG is the person in charge of an aluminum window engineering company. He got to know the "Work Trial Scheme" on the Interactive Employment Service website of the Labour Department and registered to provide work trial vacancies. He is pleased to have successfully hired a good employee, Mr. FUNG, under the Scheme.
Mr. PANG recalled that, although Mr. FUNG had no experience in aluminum window repairing, he treasured the good work attitude and sense of responsibility of Mr. FUNG and found that Mr. FUNG completed his job duties neat and tidy. Mr. PANG was very satisfied with Mr. FUNG's performance, so he decided to hire Mr. FUNG as a regular employee after the one-month work trial.
Mr. PANG is very supportive of the "Work Trial Scheme", he is of the view that companies can observe whether job seekers are suitable for the relevant job positions during the work trial period. Mr. PANG is glad to continue staying in the Scheme and expects to recruit more suitable staff under the Scheme.
Case 2
Voices from Job Seeker:
Drive to Succeed from a Chinese Medicine Dispenser to a Customer Service Assistant
Before joining the "Work Trial Scheme", Ms. LAW was a part-time Chinese medicine dispenser. She all along wished to shift to a clerical position, but unfortunately she did not find a suitable job. As referred by a training body, Ms. LAW joined in the "Work Trial Scheme" and learned that a publishing company was looking for a part-time customer service assistant whose responsibilities are to handle customer enquiries and general administrative work. Ms. LAW applied for the position and was arranged to participate in a one-month work trial. During the work trial period, the Employment Officer under the Scheme and the mentor in the participating organisation followed up her work situation conscientiously, which enabled her to adapt to the new job smoothly. Ms. LAW thanked specially the mentor for her patience in explaining every detail of the work, enabling her to understand the work process clearly and discharge her duties more effectively.
Ms. LAW remarked that the one-month work trial experience had helped build her confidence in performing clerical work. After the work trial, the company hired Ms. LAW as a regular employee.
Voices from Participating Organisation:
Discover and Employ Potential Talents from Work Trials
Ms. LO is the Assistant Business Development Director of a publishing company. Her company knew the "Work Trial Scheme" through the introduction of a training body. The company decided to participate in the Scheme as it had several part-time job vacancies.
As referred by the Employment Officer of the Scheme, job seeker Ms. LAW was arranged to participate in a one-month work trial in the company as a part-time customer service assistant. Ms. LAW was mainly responsible for handling customer enquiries and general administrative work, as well as assisting to organise various promotional activities. Ms. LO commented that Ms. LAW had a positive attitude towards work and performed well. Therefore, after the work trial period, the company hired Ms. LAW as a regular employee.
Ms. LO agrees that the "Work Trial Scheme" provides an effective channel to identify potential talents. The company will continue to support the Scheme and create more opportunities for job seekers to enrich their work experience.
Voices from Job Seekers:
Young participants: Work Trial Scheme gives me real life work experience.
Middle-aged participants: Work Trial Scheme helps me change career successfully!
Voices from Participating Organisations:
Work Trial Scheme helps find good employees!
"Work trial before hire", recruitment more assured!