ERB First-Hire-Then-Train: Hong Kong Employer Hiring Incentives

What is First-Hire-Then-Train?

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

✅ Recruit pre-trained candidates at no cost ✅ Receive HK$4,000-8,000 hiring incentive per employee ✅ Get HK$3,000-6,000 on-the-job training subsidy ✅ Access job-ready workers with industry-specific skills ✅ Reduce recruitment costs through ERB matching ✅ Improve retention with structured onboarding

Total value: Up to HK$14,000 per new employee + free recruitment services

How It Works

The Complete Process

Step 1: Employer Specifies Needs

• Contact ERB service contractor
• Describe job vacancies and required skills
• Define employment terms (salary, hours, responsibilities)
• Identify training needs

Step 2: ERB Recruits & Trains Candidates

• ERB recruits suitable candidates from target groups
• Provides job-specific training (2-8 weeks)
• Candidates gain employment-ready skills
• No cost to employer during training phase

Step 3: Employer Interviews Trained Candidates

• ERB refers qualified graduates to employer
• Employer conducts standard interviews
• Employer selects candidates to hire
• No obligation to hire if not satisfied

Step 4: Employment & Hiring Incentive

• Hire ERB graduate(s)
• Complete 3-month probation period
• Receive hiring incentive: HK$4,000-8,000 per employee
• Payment after probation completion

Step 5: On-the-Job Training (Optional)

• Provide structured OJT (1-3 months)
• Employee applies classroom learning to real work
• Employer receives OJT subsidy: HK$3,000-6,000
• Subsidy covers supervision and mentoring costs

Incentive Breakdown

Hiring Incentive (HK$4,000-8,000)

Standard rate: HK$4,000 per employee Enhanced rate: HK$6,000-8,000 for priority sectors:

• Technology and innovation
• Elderly care and healthcare
• Environmental services
• Logistics and transportation

Eligibility:

• Hire ERB training graduate
• Full-time employment (minimum 30 hours/week)
• Complete 3-month probation period
• Maintain employment for 6+ months (retention bonus)

Payment schedule:

• 50% after 3-month probation
• 50% after 6-month retention

On-the-Job Training Subsidy (HK$3,000-6,000)

Standard rate: HK$3,000 per employee Enhanced rate: HK$6,000 for structured OJT programs

Requirements:

• Provide structured OJT plan
• Assign dedicated mentor/supervisor
• Document training progress
• Minimum 1-month OJT period

What it covers:

• Mentor/supervisor time costs
• Training materials and resources
• Productivity loss during learning curve
• Assessment and evaluation

Available Industries & Roles

Information Technology

IT Support & Help Desk

• Training: 2 months (264 hours)
• Skills: Windows, networking, troubleshooting
• Starting salary: HK$15,000-18,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$4,000
• OJT subsidy: HK$3,000
• Total employer benefit: HK$7,000

Web Design & Development

• Training: 4 months (180 hours)
• Skills: HTML, CSS, WordPress
• Starting salary: HK$18,000-22,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$6,000 (tech sector)
• OJT subsidy: HK$6,000
• Total employer benefit: HK$12,000

Hospitality & Tourism

Food & Beverage Service

• Training: 7 weeks (280 hours)
• Skills: Table service, bar operations
• Starting salary: HK$16,000-20,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$4,000
• OJT subsidy: HK$3,000
• Total employer benefit: HK$7,000
• Placement rate: 85%+

Housekeeping & Room Attendant

• Training: 4 weeks (144 hours)
• Skills: Room cleaning, hygiene standards
• Starting salary: HK$14,000-17,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$4,000
• Employer benefit: HK$4,000

Retail & Customer Service

Customer Service & Retail Sales

• Training: 6 weeks (246 hours)
• Skills: Customer service, POS systems
• Starting salary: HK$15,000-19,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$4,000
• OJT subsidy: HK$3,000
• Total employer benefit: HK$7,000

Logistics & Warehouse

Warehouse Operations

• Training: 5 weeks (168 hours)
• Skills: Inventory management, warehouse systems
• Starting salary: HK$16,000-20,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$4,000
• OJT subsidy: HK$3,000
• Total employer benefit: HK$7,000

Forklift Operator

• Training: 3 weeks (72 hours)
• Skills: Forklift operation, safety
• Starting salary: HK$18,000-22,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$4,000
• Employer benefit: HK$4,000
• High demand role

Healthcare & Elderly Care

Care Worker for Elderly

• Training: 6 weeks (128 hours)
• Skills: Elderly care, basic nursing
• Starting salary: HK$16,000-20,000
• Hiring incentive: HK$8,000 (priority sector)
• OJT subsidy: HK$6,000
• Total employer benefit: HK$14,000
• Acute shortage - high incentives

Employer Benefits Beyond Subsidies

1. Pre-Screened, Trained Candidates

✅ Skills verification: Candidates completed industry-specific training ✅ Motivation check: Went through competitive selection process ✅ Job-ready: Can contribute from day one ✅ Certified: Hold ERB completion certificates

2. Reduced Recruitment Costs

Traditional recruitment:

• Job posting fees: HK$3,000-8,000
• Recruiter fees: 15-25% of annual salary (HK$27,000-54,000 for HK$18K/month role)
• Time cost: 2-3 months to fill position
• Training cost: HK$5,000-15,000 for basic onboarding

ERB FHTT:

• Job posting: HK$0 (ERB handles)
• Recruiter fees: HK$0 (ERB matches)
• Time to hire: 2-4 weeks
• Training cost: Subsidized via OJT (HK$3,000-6,000 reimbursement)

Savings: HK$35,000-77,000 per hire

3. Lower Risk Hiring

✅ No recruitment fees - Pay nothing if candidates unsuitable ✅ Standard probation - Can terminate within 3 months if not working out ✅ ERB follow-up - Support with retention and integration ✅ Replacement assistance - ERB helps find replacements if needed

How to Participate

Step-by-Step Guide for Employers

1. Initial Contact (Day 1)

Contact ERB:

• Hotline: 182 182
• Email: erb@erb.org
• Website: www.erb.org

Provide:

• Company details and industry
• Job vacancies (roles, salary, requirements)
• Hiring timeline
• Training needs

2. Service Contractor Assignment (Day 2-3)

ERB assigns dedicated service contractor:

• Contractor contacts employer
• Discusses job requirements in detail
• Identifies suitable ERB training course
• Plans recruitment and training timeline

3. Candidate Recruitment & Training (Week 1-8)

ERB handles:

• Recruiting suitable candidates
• Conducting training (job-specific skills)
• Screening and assessment
• Pre-selection of qualified graduates

Employer involvement: Minimal (occasional check-ins)

4. Candidate Referral (Week 9)

ERB refers trained candidates:

• Resume/profile provided
• Training completion certificate
• Skills assessment results
• Availability for interview

Employer conducts interviews:

• Standard interview process
• No obligation to hire
• Can interview multiple candidates

5. Hiring & Incentive Claim (Week 10+)

If satisfied with candidate:

• Make job offer
• Complete standard employment contract
• New hire starts work
• Begin 3-month probation

After probation (Month 4):

• Submit hiring incentive claim
• Provide: employment contract, payroll records, attendance
• Receive HK$2,000-4,000 (50% of incentive)

After 6 months (Month 7):

• Submit retention claim
• Receive remaining HK$2,000-4,000 (50% of incentive)

6. On-the-Job Training (Months 1-3)

If providing structured OJT:

• Submit OJT plan to ERB
• Assign dedicated mentor
• Document training activities
• Complete OJT period (1-3 months)
• Submit OJT subsidy claim
• Receive HK$3,000-6,000 reimbursement

Case Studies

Case 1: Retail Chain Expands with ERB Support

Company: Mid-size retail chain Need: 10 customer service staff for new store Timeline: 2 months before grand opening

ERB Solution:

• ERB recruited and trained 15 candidates
• 6-week Customer Service Certificate course
• Company interviewed all 15 candidates
• Hired 10 best-fit employees

Results:

• Hiring cost: HK$0 (vs HK$50,000 recruiter fees)
• Training subsidy: HK$40,000 (10 × HK$4,000)
• OJT subsidy: HK$30,000 (10 × HK$3,000)
• Total benefit: HK$120,000
• All 10 employees retained after 12 months
• Store opened on schedule

Case 2: Hotel Addresses Housekeeping Shortage

Company: 4-star hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui Need: 8 room attendants (chronic shortage) Challenge: High turnover, difficult recruitment

ERB Solution:

• ERB Housekeeping Certificate (4 weeks)
• Trained 12 candidates for 8 positions
• Hotel selected 8 most suitable

Results:

• Time to hire: 6 weeks (vs 3-4 months traditional)
• Hiring incentive: HK$32,000 (8 × HK$4,000)
• 85% retention after 6 months (vs 40% industry average)
• Structured training improved job readiness
• Hotel now uses FHTT for all entry-level hiring

Case 3: Tech Startup Builds Support Team

Company: SaaS startup needing IT support Need: 3 help desk technicians Budget: Limited (startup phase)

ERB Solution:

• ERB IT Support & Help Desk Certificate (2 months)
• 264-hour comprehensive training
• Candidates learned company's tech stack during OJT

Results:

• Hiring incentive: HK$18,000 (3 × HK$6,000 tech sector)
• OJT subsidy: HK$18,000 (3 × HK$6,000)
• Total benefit: HK$36,000
• Zero recruitment fees
• All 3 employees still with company after 18 months
• One promoted to senior support engineer

Common Questions

Is there a limit on how many employees we can hire?

No limit! You can hire as many ERB graduates as you need through FHTT. Each hire receives the same incentives.

What if the employee quits before 6 months?

You receive 50% of hiring incentive after 3-month probation. The remaining 50% (retention bonus) is only paid if employee stays 6+ months.

Can we hire candidates from multiple ERB courses?

Yes! Participate in FHTT for different roles simultaneously. For example, hire both IT support staff and customer service staff through separate ERB courses.

Do we have to hire ALL referred candidates?

No. ERB refers qualified candidates, but you choose who to hire through standard interviews. No obligation to hire if not satisfied.

What's the success rate of ERB placements?

Placement-tied ERB courses have 70-85% employment rate within 3 months. Retention rates (6+ months) average 75-80%, higher than typical entry-level hires.

Can we use FHTT for management positions?

No. FHTT targets entry-level to junior positions. For management roles, use CEF to upskill existing staff or hire externally.

Next Steps for Employers

This Week

☐ Review upcoming hiring needs for next 3-6 months ☐ Identify entry-level positions suitable for ERB graduates ☐ Contact ERB hotline (182 182) to discuss opportunities ☐ Request information on relevant training courses

This Month

☐ Meet with ERB service contractor ☐ Define job requirements and training needs ☐ Provide hiring timeline and vacancy count ☐ Review candidate profiles as training progresses

This Quarter

☐ Interview ERB-trained candidates ☐ Make hiring decisions ☐ Onboard new employees with structured OJT ☐ Submit incentive claims after probation ☐ Evaluate FHTT effectiveness for future hiring

Contact ERB

For Employers:

• Hotline: 182 182 (select employer services)
• Email: erb@erb.org
• Website: www.erb.org/employers
• Service hours: Monday-Friday 9am-6pm, Saturday 9am-1pm

ERB Service Centers: 9 locations across Hong Kong for in-person consultations