Sun Hung Kai Properties : SHKP Mentors to Lead a Life-on-life 10-week Internship Journey for Young People

The kick-off ceremony for the Modern Apprenticeship Programme sponsored by Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (SHKP) and co-hosted by Breakthrough was held recently. Upon completion of a series of life planning and personal development courses, the programme will send 18 apprentices on ten-week internships at SHKP where staff mentors will provide one-on-one guidance and mentoring to apprentices in tackling different workplace challenges. At the ceremony, SHKP Executive Director Adam Kwok and Breakthrough General Secretary Joyce Man encouraged both mentors and apprentices to find ways to learn from each other.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr Kwok remarked all the experienced SHKP mentors are passionate about nurturing the younger generations so they can better create their own futures. Apart from passing on knowledge and experience, the mentors also eagerly hope to influence young people with their enthusiasm for life and work as role models. Ms Man said at the ceremony that young people today feel lost at times during the journey for searching and growth; however, the support and inspiration provided by adults can definitely help ignite a new fire in their lives. She hopes for the mutual development of both mentors and apprentices in the coming ten weeks.

Parents play an important role in fostering youngsters. At the ceremony, Mrs Wu shared a personal experience and revealed that her son, Wu Kin-yan, was once a computer game addict who over-indulged in nightlife. The family was very worried about him until he joined the programme eight years ago. Soon after, he started to change for the better - setting goals, planning his future, and gaining more self-confidence.

SHKP constantly places great emphasis on efforts to train and support young people. The Modern Apprenticeship Programme this year provides workplace exposure to construction, property management, hospitality and project monitoring. Apprentices will gain on-the-job training at SHKP entities including construction, property management and hotel subsidiaries as well as Noah's Ark. Under the guidance of SHKP mentors, apprentices will gain work-related knowledge and learn first-hand soft skills such as workplace etiquette and team spirit. Apprentices who pass the assessment at the end of the internship may eventually be employed at SHKP.

SHKP has been running the Modern Apprenticeship Programme with Breakthrough since 2003. The programme offers work experience and training in social skills and personal development to students who have underperformed in public exams, so they can broaden their futures by exploring their aptitudes and career aspirations. The programme primarily targets young people aged 16 to 24 without a tertiary education; mainly candidates for the Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, Diploma Yi Jin or Youth Employment and Training Programme students. Over the past 16 years, the Modern Apprenticeship Programme has nurtured the growth of over 300 young people who struggled with limited academic horizons.

About Sun Hung Kai Properties

SHKP is committed to developing premium properties and offering customers ideal homes with top-notch service. The Company believes in Building Homes with Heart and contributes to the community to make Hong Kong a better place for everyone. SHKP lives up to its corporate social responsibility by leveraging resources and networks to advocate reading and holistic development, healthy and sustainable living, and care for the underprivileged. SHKP has been included in the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series since 2010.

Over the past four decades, the management team has led and encourages staff to help those in need and give back to society with professional knowledge and skills. The company also engages stakeholders to strive to garner and produce positive energy in the community.