(19 October 2013, Hong Kong) NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or “the Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) today launched a career planning and job shadowing programme – Career GPS – with the Hong Kong Playground Association for young people who leave school early and those who are unemployed. The programme aims to enhance their employability through career training, company visits and job shadowing, along with mentorship guidance by members of the Group’s corporate volunteer team, NWS Volunteer Alliance.
The three-year Career GPS Programme will be solely sponsored by the NWS Holdings Charities Foundation. In the first phase of the programme, fifty young people will improve themselves through participation in a series of career talks, experience-sharing and interview workshops and skills training, followed by company visits and on-the-job training offered by the Group’s member companies, which include Hip Hing Construction Company Limited, New World First Bus Services Limited, Citybus Limited and New World First Ferry Services Limited. Outstanding participants will then be awarded job shadowing experience with departmental managers to better understand business operations and to plan for their long-term career goals.
Sheila Tang, General Manager of Corporate Communication for NWS Holdings, said, “This programme aims to give hope and support to members of the next generation who have experienced failure, so that they can set foot on a career path and follow their dreams. Participants will be assigned to our different businesses, where they will gain valuable learning experience and practical real-life skills in some of the industries suffering talent shortages, such as construction and public transportation. We hope that it will improve their employability while attracting new talent to those companies.”
According to the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the unemployment rate for young people between 15 and 19 is much higher than the overall rate. The overall unemployment rate in the second quarter of 2013 was 3.3%, compared to 17.8% for young people. Leung Wai Kuen, Executive Director of the Playground Association, said, “We are committed to providing social services to young people, as well as catering to their study and career needs. By working with the business sector in this job training programme, and with the help of the businesses under NWS Holdings, we will provide a comprehensive career planning and consultation service to help young people improve their confidence and work readiness.”
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This press release is also available on the Group’s website ( www.nws.com.hk).
NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings”, Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), operates businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Energy, Water and Ports & Logistics projects. Its Services portfolio comprises Facilities Management (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and Free Duty), Construction & Transport (construction, bus and ferry services) and Strategic Investments.
Established in 1933, Hong Kong Playground Association is a long-time non-governmental organization providing social services to children and young people in Hong Kong. Through diversified and pertinent services, we aim at breeding youngsters’ holistic development and nurturing them to be successors of the Hong Kong society. All the way we uphold our spirit of “person-oriented and strive for excellence”, so as to benefit the younger generation and contribute to the society as a whole. At the same time, we devote to becoming a prestigious and professional children and youth service organization at local and international levels.
For further information, please contact:
NWS Holdings Limited
