New way for youngsters not engaged in work nor study

Secondary Six Admission Procedure has come to a close. Candidates who were unable to carry on matriculation studies may have to consider finding a job. However, with the unemployment rate from April to June reached 5.4%, in which the unemployment rate of young people aged 15 to 19 rose to 21.1%, it certainly added pressure to school leavers who are lack of working experience. "Road to Green - Striving for a Young New World" Social Enterprise ("Road to Green") provides these youngsters an alternative pathway for their future. 

In April 2008, New World Development Company Limited ("New World Group", Hong Kong stock code: 17) joined hands with Tuen Mun Youths Association to set up "Road to Green" Social Enterprise, aiming at providing extensive on-the-job training and job opportunities for low-skilled and low-literacy young people aged 15 to 25, helping them rebuild confidence in their job prospects and reintegrate into the society. Since its establishment, "Road to Green" has provided training for 73 trainees. Some of the trainees were referred to other jobs after successful completion of the training. 

Mr Adrian Cheng, Executive Director of New World Group, has strongly supported "Road to Green", "I'm glad to see that the trainees have improved after joining 'Road to Green'. They have changed from low-confidence to self-assured youngsters who can present themselves confidently in front of the public and have a goal for their own future. I believe that the public's support and encouragement to these adolescents is very important, and 'Road to Green' will continue to provide opportunities for them and lead them to explore their future and reintegrate into society." 

Ching Chun Hin, 19, used to hide himself from the others. He joined "Road to Green" as a trainee. Describing himself as a taciturn youngster in the past, he has made substantial improvement after joining "Road to Green", "I used to stay quiet and avoid talking to others. The first time when I worked at Charity Sales stall, I was just like a robot standing there silently. However, after several months' training and under my trainers' guidance, I have improved a lot. Now, I can even promote our products to strangers!" After four months' training, Hin was referred to work at a food stall due to his satisfactory performance. 

Same as Hin, Lau Wai Lo, Melody, joined "Road to Green" as a trainee. Melody completed Form Three in the Mainland and was once a youth at risk. She then came to Hong Kong and since she could not speak fluent Cantonese, she found it difficult to find a suitable job. One day, she ran into a street promotion of "Road to Green" and decided to join the social enterprise, "I have learnt selling skills and met some good friends after joining 'Road to Green'. I hope to gain working experience here, learn how to get along with the others and get prepared for my future." With satisfactory performance, Melody was promoted to Sales Leader in "Road to Green" and is now responsible for supervising other colleagues at work. 

"Road to Green - Striving for a Young New World" Social Enterprise mainly targets at young people with low working skills and a lack of working experience, and provides three to four months' extensive on-the-job training and job opportunities for young people in need, helping them rebuild confidence in their job prospects and reintegrate into society. Details of "Road to Green" are as follows: 

Mission: 
By promoting environmental protection, "Road to Green" collects used clothes from the public, and through clothes selling and recycling, it not only helps promote environmental friendliness, but also equips young people with low working skills and a lack of working experience, helping them to rebuild confidence and reintegrate into society. 

Content: 
1. Training 
- Recruit young people aged 15 to 25 with low working skills and a lack of working experience 
- Provide training for young people, including inviting professionals and organizations to conduct three to four months' trainings in various aspects such as confidence building, interpersonal communication, sales skills, basic laws and regulations, occupational safety, field training and more, encouraging the young people to better equip themselves and be well-prepared for the future 
- Arrange visits to various organizations for trainees, including visits to the subsidiaries of New World Group, such as security company, hotels, laundry company, encouraging the trainees to explore their job prospects and allowing them to understand the operation of different industries and be well-prepared for the future 

2. Recycling and Sales Business 
- The major businesses of "Road to Green" are clothes recycling and selling. Place recycling banks in different public estates and private residential blocks to collect used clothes 
- Set up regular "Goods Swapping" and "Charity Sales" stalls to provide learning opportunities in sales and stock management for trainees to help restore their confidence 

3. Charity and Social Services 
- Organize social services regularly, such as painting doors for the elderly, donating clothes, visiting elderly centres and more, allowing trainees to show their care to the needy in the society and fostering social harmony 

"Road to Green" is now recruiting trainees. Interested youngsters please visit website of "Road to Green" (www.rthn.org) or call 2453 3010 for details.

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