The fresh honour guard

Two graduates of the Government Youth Pre-employment Training Programme were recently recruited as Police Constables to equip themselves with professional knowledge to serve the community.

Tsang Sai-bun and Lai Tsz-yan shared their experience with new trainees at a press conference on October 20, with Police Training School Commandant Wong Pak-nin and Labour Commissioner Pamela Tan in attendance. They are training at PTS and are expected to pass out in mid-January.

Sai-bun told OffBeat that he joined the Programme last year when he went to the Labour Department for a job.

"Being a policeman was always my dream job, so I chose PTS training as my first priority. The two-week disciplinary instruction helped me further confirm my belief in my career choice," he said, adding that he soon realised formal Police training differed from what he received under the programme.

"The training we are now receiving is more intensive and demanding since it is career-oriented, while the pre-employment training was only an introduction to the career.

"Although it was quite difficult for me to get used to the changes at first, I never thought of quitting because I was well prepared for the challenge. With the encouragement from the instructors and my tough character, I could manage it."

Tsz-yan agreed.

"Although we got disciplinary training from the formal Police instruction and the pre-employment programme, the atmosphere of the latter one was not as serious," she said.

"Besides, the extremely tough physical requirements and the high degree of obedience required in the Force were two big challenges for me. Fortunately, my family and my friends encouraged and supported me to overcome these."

The pair hope they can make full use of the skills and knowledge acquired from the training to serve the community.

"The training makes us highly adaptable, so I am sure I can cope with rapid changes in society and with the increasing demands from the public," Tsz-yan said.

They also hailed the valuable experience the programme provided, saying all trainees would acquire a lot of knowledge, understand the importance of discipline and the technique of getting along with people with different backgrounds. They hoped the new trainees would enjoy their two-weeks at PTS.