Covid-19 surveys

Covid-19 stress school and employment

• Over 50% ofstudents asked how they felt about the resumption ofclasses report high stress levels and are worried about failing to maintain their pre-pandemic progress. • Over 60% of young people aged 15-35 are worried about employment prospects and many have already been put on furlough, are experiencing difficulties or have already lost their jobs.

Stress at school

Classes in Hong Kong were suspended from late January to late May 2020. Students continued to learn online, using platforms provided by their schools. However, many saw the period as a kind of special holiday during which they tended to become lazy and work messily because of lack of self-discipline and regular supervision.

Only a small minority with high levels of self-discipline but weak social skills appear to have benefitted because the suspensions meant they could study at home instead of facing classmates and teachers. Others have suffered very badly from stress. From February to May 2020, the HKFYG hotline 2777 8899 handled more than 16,000 calls for help including 5,894 related to emotional problems.

Key findings

50.3% said they were worried about not catching up with their education 52.7% thought they might not be able to take an exam in the short term

50.2% rated their stress levels as high* 40.6% were worried

34.1% felt nervous

29.8% were uneasy

24.6% felt happy

22.3% felt relaxed

[* Compared to 41.7% in a similar survey dated October 2019]

Main concerns

53.3% thought they would not be able to maintain the same progress as before suspensions

52.7% worried about failure to cope given the short time left before they had to take an exam

30.8% had uncompleted homework

23.8% said they lacked motivation to go to school 22.7% worried about not being used to the change in their daily schedule

More details hkfyg.org.hk/en/2020/06/02/studentsurvey-en/ Online survey date May 2020

Respondents 1,821 students

HKFYG Counselling Hotline 2777 8899 6277 8899 utouch_hkfyg utouch.hk

Youth unemployment looming

Hong Kong's economy – like most economies around the world – has fallen into a deep recession as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. Unemployment among 20-24 year-olds is rising and in the first quarter of 2020 it stood at 9.8%. Many students worry that graduation will be followed by unemployment. What can be done?

The government’s recently launched Employment Support Scheme (ESS) will invest HK$6 billion to create around 30,000 jobs in the public and private sectors. The Federation proposes the creation of 1,500 time-limited posts for youth as part of the scheme, involving the ICT and creative industries as well as community services, with both training and career counselling provided. While job creation with pre-employment and onthe-job training can ease the situation and enhance youth employability, work as "slasher" has become a popular option for young people. HKFYG also suggests that the government creates part-time professional posts that offer basic job opportunities.

Survey on impact of covid-19 pandemic

From April to May 2020 the Federation’s Youth Employment Network conducted a survey seeking views of 536 15-35-year-olds on the ESS.

Key findings

• 61% said that their current work had been affected by the covid-19 pandemic • 24% had decreased working hours • 20% were on unpaid leave • 16% had experienced a large increase in workload • 14% had reduced salaries • 14% had lost their jobs

Main concerns

• 60%+ were worried about the effects of the covid-19 pandemic on employment • 59% were concerned about their current financial situation • 25% said their savings could only support them for a month • 11% said their savings could support them for less than two weeks

Expectations

• 63% expected 2-3 year contracts • 62% expected salaries ranging from

HK$12,001 to HK$20,000

Job creation expected by respondents (by sector):

• 55% creative industries • 53% social services • 40% media and advertising • 38% education • 38% video game development and e-sports • 35% information communication technology

More details Youth Employment Network

hkfyg.org.hk/en/2020/05/07/ youth_employment-2/ Enquiries Vicky Kwong tel 3755 7067

Colour Away Covid a student-led face mask design competition

Target 12-18 year-olds

Goals

• Empower students to help others through their creativity • Encourage reflection on the theme ‘There to Care’ • Raise awareness of youth needs for quality masks Winning pattern To be printed on 100,000 masks Free distribution To needy communities with children returning to school in September (10,000+) Full details zionburg.com/colourawaycovid

Charity partners include

• Society for Community Organization (SoCO) • HandsOn Hong Kong • Children’s Kidney Fund Enquiries projects@zionburg.com