AIA Pension and Trustee Co. Ltd. (“AIA MPF”) has received widespread acclaim for its efforts to support the employment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). This year, AIA MPF has joined hands with CareER to launch its first “LET'S WORK TOGETHER Internship Programme”. The programme has successfully offered internship opportunities to a number of higher-educated PWDs. Ms. Jade Lai, Political Assistant to Secretary for Labour and Welfare officiated the kick-off ceremony today. Representatives of participating corporations also attended to witness the start of the programme.

Mr. Stephen Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA MPF, said, “AIA MPF introduced the LET'S WORK TOGETHER Campaign in 2016 to advocate for equal opportunities and develop Hong Kong into a more inclusive society. To enrich the Campaign, we have organised the ‘LET'S WORK TOGETHER Internship Programme' with CareER this year. We are grateful for the valuable internship opportunities offered by various business corporations. These work placements will help the higher-educated students and graduates with disabilities to develop further and encourage them to use their talents, while accelerating their integration into society. 2017 is the first year of the internship programme and we hope to encourage more companies to join us in the future to achieve an all-win situation.”

Several leading corporations across various industries, including AIA Hong Kong, AIA MPF, Amorepacific Hong Kong, Bentley Communications, CMRS Group and The Hong Kong Jockey Club have committed their wholehearted support to the two-month internship programme. 10 higher-educated students and graduates with disabilities have been successfully placed in internship positions within these organisations after a round of interviews.

Apart from providing working opportunities, the “LET'S WORK TOGETHER Internship Programme” aims at equipping students with disabilities with the practical skills for career development and broadening their horizons through diversified on-the-job training such as Star Speaker Forum, Personal Profiling, Company Visit and English Workshop. 

Mr. Walter Tsui, Co-founder of CareER, noted, “There are a lot of talented higher-educated students and graduates with disabilities who are determined to contribute to society. What they lack is a bridge that connects them with employers, and the opportunity to show their abilities. We are glad to partner with AIA MPF to introduce the ‘LET'S WORK TOGETHER Internship Programme' and are thankful for the support of the corporations involved. By working together, we can empower these talents to identify and fulfil their roles in society.”

In 2016, AIA MPF took the lead to provide online sign language services to persons with hearing impairments. The move garnered praise from industry peers. The online service was upgraded earlier this year to provide assistance to all persons with special needs. The Company hopes to make it more convenient than ever for persons with special needs to have their enquiries fully resolved online. AIA MPF has also been included in the Hong Kong Council of Social Services list of “Barrier-free Companies” by being a Caring Company that has fulfilled applicable criteria under two adjudication scopes, namely “Barrier-free Environment” and “Barrier-free Communication”

To encourage corporations to employ PWDs so they can put their talents to good use, AIA MPF went a step further last year by introducing management fee rebates to existing MPF corporate clients who employ PWDs. AIA MPF plans to continue the rebate programme this year to promote social inclusion. Details will be announced later.