What does Y.E.S. stand for?
Y.E.S. is the abbreviation for “Youth Employment Start”.
Who is qualified to be a Y.E.S. member?
All young people aged between 15 and 29 who legally reside and work in Hong Kong may apply to become Y.E.S. members. Moreover, all young people aged between 18 and 29, who are operating their own businesses and have registered their businesses at Business Registration Office (BRO) with valid Business Registration Certificates, may become business members.
What are the differences between Y.E.S. members and business members?
All Y.E.S. members and business members may enjoy general services provided by Y.E.S.. On top of that, business members may use some services and facilities specifically designed for them, including workstation, business room, design corner, “Comprehensive Self-employment Skills-equipping Course for Young People” and professional consultation service.
Do I need to pay any fees to become a Y.E.S. member and enjoy its services or join its activities?
All services and facilities provided by Y.E.S. are free of charge.
Do I need to approach Y.E.S. in person to become a Y.E.S. member?
Yes. Y.E.S. staff members will verify applicants’ personal information, take photos and print personalized membership smartcards for them. Nevertheless, applicants may preliminarily register and provide their personal information online.
What is the validity period of Y.E.S. membership? How to renew the membership?
Y.E.S. membership is valid for one year. Under normal circumstances, membership for those members who aged between 15 and 29 will be renewed automatically upon its expiry. Y.E.S. will also renew membership for those business members aged between 18 and 29 with valid Business Registration Certificates. However, if their Business Registration Certificates have expired, they must submit to Y.E.S valid Business Registration Certificates; otherwise, their business memberships will be converted to Y.E.S. (non-business) membership automatically.
How to become a business member?
All young people aged between 18 and 29, who are operating their own businesses and have registered their businesses at Business Registration Office (BRO) with valid Business Registration Certificates, may become business members. They are required to submit valid Business Registration Certificates and the duly completed “Business Members’ Undertaking”.
Is it true that a Y.E.S. member is not allowed to use any services or facilities specifically designed for business members if he/she does not have a valid Business Registration Certificate?
If a Y.E.S. member is interested in starting up self-employment business, and has not yet obtained a Business Registration Certificate, he/she may still apply for “Provisional Business Membership”. However, he/she is required to submit a valid Business Registration Certificate to Y.E.S. within six months; otherwise, his/her “Provisional Business Membership” will be converted to Y.E.S. (non-business) membership automatically upon its expiry. Besides, each member does not have a second chance to become “Provisional Business Membership”.
Does Y.E.S. provide any loan financing for business members to set up their businesses?
Y.E.S. does not provide any loan financing for business members, but they are eligible to use free services or facilities specifically designed for them, such as legal and accounting consultancy services.
How many Y.E.S. centres are there in the HKSAR?
Two, situated on Level 42, Office Tower Langham Place, Mongkok and 9/F, MetroPlaza, Tower II, Kwai Fong respectively.
Will Y.E.S. assist me in job search?
Y.E.S. career consultants provide personalised assessment analysis service to young people which enables them to have better understanding of their career aspirations and directions. Also, Y.E.S. offers mock interview, professional résumé building consultation service and various seminars and workshops to enhance their employability.
Y.E.S. invites different employers to organise recruitment day at Y.E.S. so that members can have job interviews on the spot with employers. Computer Zone at Y.E.S. also allows members to search for suitable job vacancies and other useful information online. To enable young people to prepare résumés and application letters, facilities such as fax machines and printers are available for their use. Vacancy Search Terminals are available in the Y.E.S. to facilitate job seekers to search job vacancies posted at Labour Department.
How is Y.E.S. different from other Job Centres?
Y.E.S. provides one-stop employment and self-employment support service to young people aged between 15 and 29 operating on membership basis. Among other services, registered social workers are stationed in Y.E.S. to offer professional counseling services to young people.
How can I find latest training information of Y.E.S.?
Y.E.S. issues quarterly “Training Schedule” which provides the latest training information to our members. Members may also visit Y.E.S. website for the information.
I have applied for a training course online. How do I know if my application is successful?
Members will receive a confirmation email when their applications are accepted. Members can check their enrollment status online or call our telephone hotline for enquiries.
Can I apply for all courses organised by Y.E.S.?
Each member can apply for no more than 9 courses each quarter (1st quarter- January to March; 2nd quarter- April to June; 3rd quarter- July to September; 4th quarter- October to December). Also, members are not allowed to re-apply for courses falling under the same category within 6 months.
How do I cancel my application or apply for leave if I cannot attend training after enrollment?
Members are required to submit leave application or cancel courses by phone or email at least 1 working day before training. Should members be absent for 2 classes in 3 months without submitting leave application/cancelling the courses, they will be suspended from attending any courses in the following 2 months, including all applied courses.
What can I do if I miss certain courses?
Generally speaking, Y.E.S. will organise similar courses after a period of time. DVDs of some of popular courses are available at Y.E.S. Members may borrow the DVDs and watch them in both Y.E.S..
How long does it take to complete the assessment analysis session and mock interview?
Around 1 hour for each service.
