Complete ERB Guide: Hong Kong Employees Retraining Board 2026

What is the Employees Retraining Board (ERB)?

ERB is a government-funded organization providing:

✅ Free or highly subsidized training (most courses HK$0-1,000) ✅ Job-specific vocational skills (hospitality, retail, logistics, IT) ✅ Career transition support for displaced workers ✅ Employer hiring incentives (First-Hire-Then-Train scheme) ✅ Training allowances (up to HK$5,800 per course) ✅ Job placement assistance after completion

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility Requirements

✅ Age 15 or above ✅ Educational attainment at sub-degree level or below (for placement-tied courses) ✅ Hong Kong resident with valid HKID ✅ Legally employable in Hong Kong

Income-Based Course Types

Full-time placement-tied courses:

• For unemployed or monthly income ≤ HK$12,500
• Includes training allowance (HK$223/day, max HK$5,800)
• Job placement assistance provided
• Course fee: HK$0-250

Part-time courses:

• For employed or unemployed
• No income restriction
• No training allowance
• Course fee: HK$0-1,000

Generic skills courses:

• Open to all
• Includes languages, IT basics, soft skills
• Course fee: HK$0-450

ERB Course Categories

Information Technology

IT Support & Help Desk Certificate

• Duration: 264 hours (full-time, 2 months)
• Fee: HK$250
• Training allowance: HK$5,800 (if eligible)
• Content: Windows systems, networking basics, troubleshooting
• Job placement: IT support technician, help desk officer

Digital Marketing Certificate

• Duration: 144 hours (part-time, 3 months)
• Fee: HK$675
• Content: Social media marketing, SEO, Google Ads, content creation
• Suitable for: Career switchers, small business owners

Web Design & Development Foundation

• Duration: 180 hours (part-time, 4 months)
• Fee: HK$875
• Content: HTML/CSS, WordPress, responsive design
• Suitable for: Beginners entering web development

Business & Administration

Accounting Software Application (MYOB/QuickBooks)

• Duration: 30 hours (part-time, 5 weeks)
• Fee: HK$300
• Content: Bookkeeping, invoicing, financial reports
• Suitable for: SME admin staff, career changers

Customer Service & Retail Certificate

• Duration: 246 hours (full-time, 6 weeks)
• Fee: HK$0
• Training allowance: HK$4,800 (if eligible)
• Content: Customer service skills, point-of-sale systems, retail operations
• Job placement: Retail sales, customer service roles

Hospitality & Tourism

Food & Beverage Service Certificate

• Duration: 280 hours (full-time, 7 weeks)
• Fee: HK$0
• Training allowance: HK$5,800 (if eligible)
• Content: Table service, bar operations, wine knowledge, hygiene
• Job placement: Restaurant service, hotel F&B

Housekeeping & Room Attendant Certificate

• Duration: 144 hours (full-time, 4 weeks)
• Fee: HK$0
• Training allowance: HK$3,200 (if eligible)
• Content: Room cleaning, laundry, hygiene standards
• Job placement: Hotels, serviced apartments

Logistics & Transportation

Forklift Truck Driver Certificate

• Duration: 72 hours (part-time, 3 weeks)
• Fee: HK$525
• Content: Forklift operation, warehouse safety, practical training
• License exam included
• High employment rate (90%+)

Warehouse Operations & Inventory Management

• Duration: 168 hours (full-time, 5 weeks)
• Fee: HK$0
• Training allowance: HK$3,800 (if eligible)
• Content: Warehouse systems, inventory control, logistics software
• Job placement: Warehouse supervisor, logistics coordinator

Healthcare & Elderly Care

Care Worker for Elderly Certificate

• Duration: 128 hours (part-time, 6 weeks)
• Fee: HK$450
• Content: Elderly care techniques, basic nursing, patient handling
• High demand field (HK shortage)
• Starting salary: HK$16,000-20,000

Patient Care Assistant Certificate

• Duration: 140 hours (part-time, 7 weeks)
• Fee: HK$450
• Content: Patient care, vital signs monitoring, hygiene assistance
• Job placement: Hospitals, care homes, clinics

First-Hire-Then-Train Scheme (For Employers)

How It Works

ERB's First-Hire-Then-Train (FHTT) scheme provides:

✅ Hiring incentive: HK$4,000-8,000 per employee hired ✅ Free training for new hires ✅ On-the-job training subsidy: HK$3,000-6,000 ✅ Job-specific skills development

Employer Benefits

1. Hiring Incentive

• Hire ERB graduate: Receive HK$4,000-8,000
• Paid after probation period (usually 3 months)
• Available across industries

2. Free Employee Training

• ERB trains candidates in job-specific skills
• Employer provides job placement
• Training customized to industry needs

3. On-the-Job Training Subsidy

• HK$3,000-6,000 per employee
• Covers mentoring and supervision costs
• Paid upon completion of OJT period

How to Participate (Employers)

1. Contact ERB Service Contractor
2. Specify job requirements and skills needed
3. ERB recruits and trains suitable candidates
4. Interview trained candidates
5. Hire successful candidates
6. Receive hiring incentive (HK$4,000-8,000)
7. Provide on-the-job training (if applicable)
8. Receive OJT subsidy (HK$3,000-6,000)

Application Process (For Job Seekers)

Step 1: Check Eligibility

✅ Age 15+ ✅ Hong Kong resident ✅ Educational level (sub-degree or below for placement courses) ✅ Income level (if applying for full-time placement courses)

Step 2: Find Suitable Course

1. Visit www.erb.org
2. Click "Course Search"
3. Filter by:
   • Course type (full-time/part-time)
   • Industry sector
   • District
   • Course start date
4. Read course details and job prospects

Step 3: Apply for Course

Application methods:

• Online: ERB member website (www.erb.org)
• Phone: ERB hotline 182 182
• In person: ERB service centers or training bodies

Required documents:

• HKID card
• Educational certificates
• Proof of income (for placement-tied courses)
• Unemployment proof (if applicable)

Step 4: Attend Interview

• Most courses require brief interview
• Assess motivation and suitability
• Usually 15-30 minutes
• Confirm course details and expectations

Step 5: Enroll and Commence Training

• Pay course fee (if applicable)
• Receive course materials
• Attend orientation
• Begin training

Step 6: Complete Course

Requirements:

• 80% attendance minimum
• Pass assessment (varies by course)
• Complete practical training (if applicable)

Upon completion:

• Receive course certificate
• Job placement assistance (for placement courses)
• Training allowance (if eligible)

Step 7: Job Placement (Placement Courses)

• ERB coordinates job interviews
• 3-6 months job placement follow-up
• Continued career counseling

Training Allowance Details

Eligibility

Receive training allowance if: ✅ Enrolled in full-time placement-tied course ✅ Unemployed or income ≤ HK$12,500/month ✅ 80%+ attendance

Allowance Rates

Daily allowance: HK$223 per day Maximum per course: HK$5,800

Example: IT Support Certificate (264 hours, 33 days)

• Attendance: 100% (33 days)
• Allowance: 33 × HK$223 = HK$7,359
• Maximum payable: HK$5,800

Payment Schedule

• Allowance paid after course completion
• Requires 80%+ attendance
• Direct bank transfer
• Processing time: 4-6 weeks

Common Questions

Is ERB only for unemployed people?

No! While full-time placement-tied courses target unemployed/low-income workers, part-time courses are open to everyone, including employed professionals upgrading skills.

Can I take ERB courses if I have a university degree?

Yes for part-time and generic skills courses. However, full-time placement-tied courses require sub-degree education or below.

Can I take multiple ERB courses?

Yes! There's no limit on number of courses you can take. You can continuously upgrade skills through ERB programs.

Do ERB courses have job guarantees?

No guaranteed employment, but placement-tied courses include job placement assistance with 70-85% employment rate within 3 months for most courses.

Can I claim CEF subsidy for ERB courses?

Generally NO. ERB courses are already free/highly subsidized. You cannot double-claim government subsidies.

What's the difference between ERB and CEF?

ERB:

• Vocational/job-specific training
• Free or very low cost (HK$0-1,000)
• Target: Sub-degree education, lower income
• Job placement assistance included

CEF:

• Professional/continuing education
• Reimbursement model (pay first, claim later)
• Target: All education levels
• HK$25,000 lifetime subsidy
• No job placement

For Employers: Why Hire ERB Graduates?

Benefits

✅ Pre-trained candidates - Job-ready skills ✅ Hiring incentive - HK$4,000-8,000 per hire ✅ OJT subsidy - HK$3,000-6,000 per employee ✅ Free recruitment - ERB coordinates matching ✅ Follow-up support - ERB assists with retention

Success Rates

• 70-85% employment rate for placement courses
• 80%+ retention after 6 months
• High motivation - Candidates committed to career change

How to Get Started

1. Contact ERB hotline: 182 182
2. Specify job vacancies and required skills
3. ERB identifies suitable training programs
4. ERB trains and refers candidates
5. Interview and hire
6. Receive incentives

Next Steps

For Job Seekers

This Week: ☐ Visit www.erb.org and browse course catalog ☐ Identify 2-3 courses aligned with career goals ☐ Check eligibility requirements ☐ Locate ERB training centers near you

This Month: ☐ Apply for chosen course ☐ Attend interview ☐ Enroll and pay fee (if applicable) ☐ Begin training

This Quarter: ☐ Complete course with 80%+ attendance ☐ Pass assessment ☐ Receive certificate and allowance ☐ Participate in job placement assistance

For Employers

This Week: ☐ Review current and upcoming hiring needs ☐ Identify entry-level positions suitable for ERB graduates ☐ Contact ERB to discuss First-Hire-Then-Train scheme

This Month: ☐ Partner with ERB service contractor ☐ Define job requirements and training needs ☐ Review ERB-trained candidate pool

This Quarter: ☐ Interview and hire ERB graduates ☐ Provide on-the-job training ☐ Receive hiring incentives and OJT subsidies ☐ Evaluate program success and scale

Official Resources

ERB Website: www.erb.org ERB Hotline: 182 182 (24-hour Cantonese/English/Putonghua) Email: erb@erb.org Service Centers: 9 locations across Hong Kong Social Media: Facebook @ERBHongKong