With AI advancing rapidly and replacing a large number of entry-level positions, some lawmakers are concerned about the impact on youth employment. In response to a question at the Legislative Council on Nov. 11, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun stressed that the government is closely monitoring the impact of emerging technologies on labour demand and the skills structure, and will provide internships and employment support for young people in light of economic and labour market conditions.
Sun said the government monitors the labour market through regular manpower projections. Under the current mechanism, a full projection is conducted every five years, with a mid-term update in between. The mid-term update report on manpower projections released in September this year specifically examined the impact of AI's rapid spread on the labour market in recent years. The government will also keep abreast of the latest market developments, including by making reference to employment and vacancy data published monthly and quarterly by the Census and Statistics Department, the latest employment data for various industries, and relevant thematic research reports by local and overseas institutions.
Citing the Policy Address, Sun said the government will join hands with the business sector to launch a two-year "30,000 Youth Jobs and Internship Scheme," implemented through collaboration among multiple policy bureaux and departments. The Labour and Welfare Bureau and the Labour Department are responsible for the "Launch Your Career" under it, supporting major employer organisations to provide, over two years starting from the first quarter of 2027, an additional 10,000 full-time jobs of six months or more—outside participating enterprises' existing manpower and regular recruitment plans—to hire young people entering the workforce for the first time, that is, those with no or limited work experience, helping them gain experience in real working environments and enhancing their future competitiveness and adaptability in the workplace.
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