Hongkongers Support Programme Boosts Sharon’s Confidence and Skills

• Jobs for Hongkongers is part of the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government’s (MHCLG) Hong Kong Welcome Programme.
• The programme aims to help eligible BN(O) visa holders in England to improve their employability skills through an 8-week virtual/remote course, with support available in the Cantonese language.
• Find out how the team helped Sharon to rebuild her confidence to speak English and improve her interview skills.

A new targeted employability programme is already making a big difference to the professional lives of Hongkongers in England – just ask Sharon.

Sharon graduated from one of Hong Kong’s top public universities in 2021 with a degree in Chinese Language and Literature. Almost immediately, she took on work at a Western company based in Hong Kong, performing a highly specialised role. After five months with the firm, Sharon made the bold decision to emigrate to the UK, arriving in Manchester in early 2022.

Navigating the first obstacles

Unfortunately, Sharon found the labour market in her new home to be more challenging than expected, not least because her degree subject and institution of study held little weight with UK employers.

What’s more, Sharon’s limited experience of speaking and listening to the English language in a professional environment posed a significant obstacle to her job prospects: “I lacked confidence during interviews, and my inadequate work experience made it difficult to demonstrate my suitability for roles.

“Even when I secured interview opportunities, these shortcomings often led to rejection.”

As a result, Sharon began to look for ways to improve her language skills. She soon came across Jobs for Hongkongers, an 8-week virtual course that provides a wide range of employment and skills support to Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders.

Getting the right support

Sharon was assigned to a dedicated case worker, Davin, with her first session taking place the day before an important interview. Davin took the time understand Sharon’s background, qualifications, and experience, quickly identifying her specific strengths and areas for improvement: “He worked patiently to rebuild my confidence in speaking English and taught me key strategies to stand out during the interview process.”

Following their first meeting, Davin sent Sharon detailed notes with examples of common interview questions and techniques. This allowed her to thoroughly prepare and apply the skills she had learned, meaning she could approach the interview with ‘more clarity and less anxiety’.

Embracing new opportunities

Sharon believes that Davin’s support and encouragement were crucial in helping her to take the first step towards professional success in a new country, and as such, she is more than happy to recommend the Jobs for Hongkongers service to fellow Hongkongers in England: “In Hong Kong, English may not be widely used in daily professional settings, but most of us have received an English education from kindergarten through to university.

“If you embrace opportunities to practise and build on this foundation, you’ll find that your English skills are stronger than you think. With consistent effort, it's possible to regain confidence in speaking and using English effectively.

“For those who feel hesitant about settling for blue-collar or entry-level jobs after years of higher education, it’s important to hold on to that ambition. If your financial situation allows, continue striving for office-based roles that match your skills and experience.

“One of the biggest advantages for Hongkongers in the UK is our solid professional background. With persistence, it’s possible to transition into a career that reflects your potential and qualifications.”

Find out more

If you are a Hong Kong BN(O) national in England and you are interested in learning more about the support services we offer, visit the Jobs for Hongkongers website or email jobsforhongkongers[at]gcemployment.uk.

Jobs For Hongkongers is part of the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government’s Hong Kong Welcome Programme. The Growth Company delivers the programme alongside Groundwork UK and the Migrant and Refugee Centre.

The Growth Company

The Growth Company is an award-winning social enterprise with a 30-year history of enabling growth, creating jobs, and improving lives. We help people and businesses to develop, grow, and succeed through a range of employment, skills, and business support services. We provide employment, justice, and health services across the North of England and beyond.

Contact us today to find out more.