850 internship places offered but only 331 takers as youth opt for leisure and finance sectors

[Photo: Xinhua]

The Labour Affairs Bureau (DSAL), citing the latest cohort of its Internship Programme as a case in point, highlighted a structural mismatch in the city’s labor market, where a surplus of available positions remains unfilled as young job-seekers opt instead to pursue roles aligned with their personal interests and long-term career aspirations.

The internship programme run by DSAL has recently concluded its application period, with the bureau announcing that 331 eligible young applicants had been confirmed – most choosing roles in tourism, leisure, and finance – despite the scheme having made approximately 850 internship vacancies available.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, DSAL director Chan U Tong said that with the graduation season in full swing, the bureau continues to offer internships, traineeships, “employment-plus-training” schemes, and regular job-matching events to support young people in mapping out their career development.

Citing the preliminary figures for the internship programme, he reported that “the final review confirmed 331 eligible applicants,” the majority of whom opted for integrated resort and financial sector placements – accounting for roughly 67% of total participants. “Of course, there are still many vacancies, but perhaps young people have their own career preferences,” Chan remarked.

Faced with a considerable number of unfilled internship vacancies, Chan encouraged young people who may have missed the application window but still wish to participate to contact the bureau directly.

“Since 2020, we have launched this internship programme every year,” he noted, adding that as of last year, more than 1,700 individuals had joined the scheme, with over 850 of them having performed well enough to be hired by their host companies.

He asserted that these figures clearly illustrate the programme’s value in equipping recent graduates with hands-on experience and sharpening their competitive edge in the job market, making it an important gateway to employment for Macau’s youth.

Meanwhile, in response to a written legislative inquiry, the bureau disclosed that it has rolled out an introductory AI course this year to help middle-aged and older residents gain a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence.

Last year alone, more than 40 AI-related courses were offered, attracting over 800 participants.

The authorities maintained that, given the growing trend of AI development, institutions under the Continuing Education Development Programme have been urged to expand their course offerings in related fields, while IT and other certification examinations have also been brought under the programme’s umbrella to encourage residents to continue enhancing their professional capabilities.