At least 200 underprivileged young people will get the chance to travel overseas this year thanks to a new fund aimed at broadening their horizons and improving their chances amid an increasingly tough job market.
The fund, set up by SmarTone-Vodafone, donates money so that young people with limited means can take part in the international exchange programmes offered by the Hong Kong Award for Young People (AYP). Formerly known as The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, the AYP encourages young people aged 14 to 25 to strive for personal development by doing various tasks that earn them bronze, silver and gold awards.
'Many underprivileged families do not have the resources to send their children on the AYP exchange programmes. We knew the AYP needed funds, so we set up the SmarTone-Vodafone AYP International Exchange Programme Fund so that we could help Hong Kong's younger generation,' said Patrick Chan, executive director of SmarTone-Vodafone.
Investing in the younger generation is an important part of the company's corporate social responsibility programme and Mr Chan said that by doing so, the company was helping to nurture future leaders. With this in mind the company supports research and development at Chinese University, gives career talks to schools and universities and sponsors several competitions for young people.
'Twenty or 30 years ago, jobseekers were competing with just the city's population. Now they have to compete with the millions of people on the mainland. Some 60 to 70 per cent of jobs these days require people to go across the border. The job market has become a lot more competitive and gaining international exposure is the key to a broader international perspective. It will greatly benefit their personal development,' Mr Chan said.
Participating in the AYP programmes would also encourage better interpersonal and leadership skills, and make young people more aware of global and environmental issues.
The fund was set up when the telecommunications firm decided to organise the SmarTone-Vodafone HK Challenge. This 48-hour, corporate team-building event was first held in Hong Kong last year. A percentage of the team entrance fees and charity donations are placed in the fund.