Corporate News

Job expo for seniors provides 600 with post-retirement employment

04/14/2011

To encourage retirees re-entering the workforce due to the shrinking proportion of those at prime working age, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust funded The Hong Kong Society for the Aged (SAGE) to establish a four-year project entitled Elder-Friendly Employment Practice (EFEP) under the auspices of CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors.

Today (14 April), the Club’s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So joined SAGE Chairman Dr Kim Mak to officiate at the opening ceremony of the second EFEP Job Expo held at East Point City in Tseung Kwan O.

Mr So noted the number of job vacancies for seniors aged 50 or above had increased more than double to over 600 compared with the first Job Expo held last year, indicating that the EFEP initiative had effectively promoted the concept of post-retirement employment in society, as well as encouraged more employers to hire retirees.

Dr Mak said the EFEP Job Expo not only provided a recruitment platform for employers in light of ageing workforce, it also allowed retirees with vast networks and extensive experience to return to the job market.

Backed by 21 organisations including The Hong Kong Jockey Club, The Wharf (Holdings) Limited, Hong Kong Disneyland and Western Harbour Tunnel Company Limited, the expo showcased some 600 jobs such as telebet services assistant, exhibition assistant, real estate trainee, kitchen assistant, shop assistant, nurse, Chinese wedding etiquette guide, accountant, administrative assistant and security guard.

The expo comprised three themed sections covering career, education and promotional information, backed by career talks on the latest trends in the elderly job market and corporate experience in hiring retirees. In addition, 24 elderly ambassadors took to the catwalk under the guidance of an image consultant.

CADENZA: A Jockey Club Initiative for Seniors is a project launched by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$380 million in 2006.  The project aims at nurturing academic leadership in gerontology and changing the mindset and attitude of the general public through a range of training and public education programmes.  Cross-sectional collaboration between organisations and the implementation of innovative elderly services and programmes are also encouraged in order to bring about a new mode of elderly care services to prepare for a rapidly ageing society.  Details of CADENZA are available at www.cadenza.hk.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club has become one of Hong Kong’s best known and respected organisations, providing the public with world-class sporting entertainment as well as being the city’s major non-Government community benefactor, now donating more than HK$1 billion a year to charitable and community projects.  It has been a part of Hong Kong through good times and bad, sharing the city’s growth and development with its people, and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for future generations.

The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st row, 5th from right) says job vacancies for seniors has doubled to over 600 compared with last year. He joins SAGE Chairman Dr Kim Mak (1st row, 8th from left), CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo (1st row, 9th from left) and representatives from participating organisations for a photo.
The Club's Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (1st row, 5th from right) says job vacancies for seniors has doubled to over 600 compared with last year. He joins SAGE Chairman Dr Kim Mak (1st row, 8th from left), CADENZA Project Director Professor Jean Woo (1st row, 9th from left) and representatives from participating organisations for a photo.

SAGE Chairman Dr Kim Mak says the Job Expo provides a recruitment platform for employers and allows retirees with vast networks and extensive experience to return to the job market.
SAGE Chairman Dr Kim Mak says the Job Expo provides a recruitment platform for employers and allows retirees with vast networks and extensive experience to return to the job market.

Photos 3, 4, 5: Guests tour EFEP Job Expo, which attracts more than 3,000 visitors.
Photos 3, 4, 5: Guests tour EFEP Job Expo, which attracts more than 3,000 visitors.



Photos 6, 7: The expo includes two career talks. Two retirees receive a souvenir from the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (Photo 7, 1st from right) after sharing their experience of post-retirement employment.
Photos 6, 7: The expo includes two career talks. Two retirees receive a souvenir from the Cluba£į?s Executive Director, Charities, Douglas So (Photo 7, 1st from right) after sharing their experience of post-retirement employment.


Photos 8, 9, 10:  Dozens of elderly ambassadors take to the catwalk under the guidance of renowned image consultant Mary Cheung (Photo 10).
Photos 8, 9, 10: Dozens of elderly ambassadors take to the catwalk under the guidance of renowned image consultant Mary Cheung (Photo 10).



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