The major enhancement measures of the Second Cohort include –

1. the number of mentees will be increased from 2 800 to 4 000 and the coverage will be extended to Secondary Four students from underprivileged families;
2. group mentoring will be introduced on top of the one-to-one matching basis for enhancing the learning experience of mentees and offering better peer support among mentors; and
3. the variety of group activities will be enhanced, such as organising more study and exchange programmes in the Mainland to broaden the horizons of mentees.

The Government started recruiting mentees (students) through local networks and secondary schools on 27 October 2023. Students can enquire and apply for the Programme through their schools and District Organisers. Eligible students have to complete the online application form at the dedicated website. Recruitment will end on 16 November 2023.

The Government will accord a higher priority to eligible upper secondary students. Applications from eligible students who are not admitted to the Second Cohort will be kept for the next cohort, subject to the students’ consent.

The one-year intensive foundation programme includes orientation, foundation training (compulsory and elective), mentor-mentee interaction, group activities and graduation ceremony.

Upon completion of the intensive foundation programme, mentees will automatically become members of the Alumni Club, where they will continue to expand their social network and horizons through participating in diversified activities and job tasting/internship programmes.

Considering that the organisations/schools running the CDF Projects have arranged relevant training, matched mentors and/or formulated personal development plans for the students, students who are currently participating in CDF Projects will not be accorded priority for joining the Programme for better use of public funds.

Students who have completed CDF Projects may apply if they meet the eligibility criteria of the Programme.

The Chief Secretary for Administration has written to various chambers of commerce, professional associations and public/statutory bodies, etc., to invite nominations of mentors with rich life experience.

The eligibility criteria of mentors are as follows:
- aged 21 or above, with preference for younger ones
- engaged in employment and are able to offer job shadowing in the mentor’s workplace
- able and willing to communicate with the youth
- responsible and committed, with a positive mindset and optimistic personality
- have rich life experience, and are open and frank to share his/her experience with the mentee
- prepared to actively participate throughout the one-year intensive foundation programme

Under the enhancement measures of the Second Cohort, group mentoring will be introduced on top of the one-to-one matching basis. Each mentee will be paired with a suitable mentor according to his/her career aspiration or specific hobbies/ interests as stated in the application form. Mentoring group will be formulated by two to three pairs of mentors and mentees for enhancing the learning experience of mentees and offering better peer support among mentors.

The start-up sum is for the mentees to achieve their personal development plans under the guidance of their mentors. Upon completion of the Programme, a scholarship of $5,000 will be awarded to the mentees for their own deployment by applying the financial planning concepts acquired.

Impact assessment will continue to be conducted by the research team of a tertiary institution with relevant experience, including designing questionnaires and arranging mentees, mentors and parents to complete the questionnaires before and after the Programme, so as to assess the effectiveness of the Programme based on pre-set impact indicators.

Mentees of the First Cohort will be arranged to join a wide variety of activities and job tasting/internship programme organised by the Alumni Club to expand their social network and horizons. In this connection, it is not suitable for them to join the Second Cohort of the Programme.

The Alumni Club is established for the graduates of the Programme for expanding their social network and horizons through participating in a wide variety of activities and job tasting/internship programmes for two years. The Alumni Club will also support and encourage alumni with good potentials to contribute to the Club, including sharing experiences with younger mentees and even becoming mentors when they grow up.