Education & Careers Expo Spotlights Youth and Jobs

	Speaking at today’s press briefing, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director Sophia Chong said that the Education & Careers Expo (5-8 Feb) at HKCEC, is a one-stop platform for those starting out or those looking to advance or even switch careers
	At today’s press briefing, guests talked about overseas study and working holidays, as well as job opportunities in a variety of industries.   From left: Asad Beg, Head of Political, Press and Information Section, European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao; Frankie Tam, Chairman, Hong Kong Digital Game-Based Learning Association; Leah Chung, Director of External Relations Office, Vocational Training Council; Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC; Stanley Chow, Senior Engineer/Training, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, HKSAR Government; Daisy Lee, Head of Human Resources Operations (Non-racing), The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Eva Pak, Cabin Crew Chief Purser & Senior Recruitment Coordinator, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Ltd
	Fairground at Education & Careers Expo 2014

28 January 2015 – New education and career zones will help anchor the upcoming 25^th HKTDC Education & Careers Expo, which will be held 5-8 February at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The expo is open to the public.

• Around 770 Exhibitors from 16 countries and regions
• 9 Zones and Categories (including three new zones)
• 4 Career theme days
• 4 Education theme days
• Leading corporate brands taking part
• Onsite recruitment

Paths To Success
The new Youth Zone will feature exhibitors dedicated to helping young Hongkongers explore their interests so as to develop a successful career path. Exhibitors in this zone will include Youth.gov.hk, a portal that provides online services for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years, and the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups that will provide information about the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub (E Hub) which promotes youth entrepreneurship in Qianhai.

Also making its Education & Careers Expo debut will be the Career Advancement and Retraining Zone, which was created for experienced jobseekers and will feature onsite recruitment and job application opportunities offered by some 30 organisations including Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited, Miramar Group Hong Kong, Zara Asia Limited and Swire Resources Limited.

A third new area – the iPASS Zone – is a zone featuring institutions which are under the “Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes”, a website that provides information on locally accredited full-time higher diploma, associate degree and degree programmes not covered by the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) from the 2012/13 academic year.

Opportunities Abound
Around 770 educational institutions, professional associations, government organisations and private companies from 16 countries and regions will take part in the expo, which is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).

“The expo is a one-stop platform for those starting out or those looking to advance or even switch careers,” said Sophia Chong, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC. “It is all about providing opportunity, and I believe that the new zones present new possibilities for young people ready to enter the workforce and more-experienced people who are looking for new career opportunities.”

Theme Days Return
The four-day fair will feature seminars on a variety of overseas and local education opportunities and career sectors.

Day 1 – The Chinese mainland is the education-themed country on the first day of the expo (5 Feb) which includes a Seminar Series supported by the China Education Exchange (Hong Kong) Centre. The career theme is Banking & Finance Day including a Seminar Series supported by the Hong Kong Securities Professionals Association.

Day 2 – The United States is the education-themed country on 6 February. The Seminar Series includes an overview of U.S. student visa and higher education options and is presented by the Consulate General of the United States in Hong Kong & Macau. The career theme for the day is Pathway to Professional, highlighting vocational training that helps youngsters explore and develop their skills for better career prospects.

Day 3 – European opportunities are the theme of Day 3 with the Seminar on European Education Day supported by the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao. Aviation is the career theme for the day with the Seminar Series presented by the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airlines, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (Aircraft Division) and Jardine Airport Services Limited.

Day 4 – Australia is the focus education country on Day 4 (8 Feb) including seminars on studying in Queensland and Melbourne. The day’s career theme is Nursing & Healthcare, which is new to the expo this year. The Seminar Series is supported by the Hong Kong Employment Development Service and Hong Kong Healthcare Federation.

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com.