CLAP@JC Conference connects international experts to promote a successful transition from education to work for Hong Kong’s young people

08/03/2024 15:37

Today (8 March) saw the opening of the CLAP@JC Conference, a two-day forum at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre bringing together eminent speakers from Hong Kong and overseas to discuss the career and life development needs of young people. The conference is a signature event of CLAP@JC, a major initiative launched in 2015 by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to help Hong Kong’s young people make a successful transition from school to productive work and a fulfilling life.

Guests at the opening ceremony today included HKSAR Government Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak, the Club's Executive Director of Charities and Community Dr Gabriel Leung, and Convenor of the Advisory Committee of CLAP@JC Diana Cesar.

Dr Gabriel Leung said that CLAP@JC is a long-standing initiative of the Club’s Charities Trust, funded by an approved donation of almost HK$ 1 billion. He highlighted that society has now begun to embrace a diversity of choices when it comes to defining a fulfilling and fulfilled life. CLAP@JC aims to encourage all of us to celebrate the different forms of success.

Delivering today’s keynote address was Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor on Education Policy to the Secretary-General at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Speaking on the theme “What is the future of education to support students navigating in the unknown future?” he shared results from the latest Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), highlighting findings related to the well-being and career development of Hong Kong students. Notably, he suggested that schools should take a more proactive role in preparing students for the future, helping to build their positivity and self-esteem and providing them with a better understanding of the multiple pathways to success.

Discussions at the conference will focus on such topics as: the aspirations of young people and the future of work from the perspective of the business sector and emerging industries; inspiring young people to explore their career development; frameworks to promote effective transitions from education to work; and how quality vocational professional education and training can provide equitable opportunities and unlock talent.

In addition, there will be 40 youth-led exhibitions, over 50 youth-led performances, and a series of interactive workshops and networking sessions. Visitors can also create their own CV360®, a holistic resume that profiles their values, attitudes, skills and knowledge. For more event details, please visit https://clapconference2024.com/.

Created and funded by the Club’s Charities Trust, CLAP@JC is helping to drive a paradigm shift in career and life development practice across education, community youth services and the workplace. The overall objective is to help Hong Kong’s young people make a smooth and effective transition from education to employment. To date CLAP@JC has provided career and life-development (CLD) support to 100,000 students, actively engaged nearly 30,000 young people via community support services, and delivered training to over 6,000 teachers and 5,000 social workers. A systematised CLD framework, “Hong Kong Benchmarks for Career & Life Development” (HKBM) has been developed and benchmarked against global best-practice and is now being implemented in one-third of Hong Kong secondary schools and over 115 non-profit youth centres. The Education Bureau recognises the effectiveness of the HKBM in helping schools meet global standards and plans to introduce the HKBM e-portal as a self-assessment tool in all secondary schools from the 2025 school year.

The Club’s support for CLAP@JC, like all of its charity donations, is made possible by its unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate employment, tax and charity support for the community.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the HKSAR Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2022/23, the Club returned a total of HK$35.9 billion to the community. This included HK$28.6 billion to the HKSAR Government in duty, profits tax and Lotteries Fund contributions and HK$7.3 billion in approved charity donations.  The Club is Hong Kong's largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is one of the world’s top ten charity donors.