Thursday, 9 July 1998

Special Seafarers Training Programme for the Unemployed

The Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board welcomes the announcement today (Thursday) of a special seafarers training programme for the unemployed to be jointly organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and the Employees Retraining Board (ERB).

"The scheme will provide a very good opportunity for the unemployed to enter the fast expanding maritime sector and help Hong Kong shipowners and shipping companies to overcome the shortage of labour problem. It will increase Hong Kong's competitiveness and help to strengthen our position as an international shipping centre," Secretary to the Board, Mr Richard Yuen, said.

"Hong Kong shipowners and shipping companies together control about seven per cent of the international merchant fleet in terms of tonnage; but of the 20 000 people, including captains, officers, and sailors working on Hong Kong ships, only five per cent or around
1 000 are Hong Kong people.

"Many Hong Kong shipowners have told us that given a choice they would prefer to have Hong Kong people working on their ships because Hong Kong seafarers possess a high quality of skills and, more importantly, a good working attitude," Mr Yuen added.

"The Hong Kong Seamen's Training Centre is known to be one of the best maritime training centres in the world. The scheme will help to make full use of our excellent facilities."

"A seafarer job is only the beginning of an excellent career. There are many good employment opportunities in the maritime sector, including container terminal, ship management, cargo handling, transport logistics and maritime institutes and authorities. A seafarer training will open up all these longer term career opportunities to people who are prepared to equip themselves with the skills and experience. The Board strongly encourages those who are looking for a job to seriously consider this opportunity offered by the new scheme," Mr Yuen said.

The Hong Kong Port and Maritime Board is a Government advisory board established in June this year and reorganised from the former Hong Kong Port Development Board. The Board is tasked with the responsibility of promoting the Hong Kong port and shipping industry. The Board is made up of experienced shipowners and port operators.