Most young people  who have just graduated from senior secondary school go straight into university or college. But this isn’t the best choice for everyone. The decision is ultimately theirs to make and we advise young graduates to think carefully about their future life and also explore other career development possibilities before deciding what to do next.

　　Working for a certain period of time—say 2 or 3 years—before going to university or college might be a better choice.

　　For this reason the MOE has collaborated with the Ministry of Labor and linked its Youth Education and Employment Savings Accounts Program (hereunder the “Youth Savings Program”) with the MOL’s Employment Explore Supporting Program for High School Graduates.

　　Both programs are designed to assist high school graduates acquire full-time working experience and life experience before deciding whether to undertake higher education.

　　The Youth Savings Program offers secondary school graduates two other paths to consider:

• To look for a job in the workplace through the Employment Explore Supporting Program for High School Graduates; or
• To learn more about the real world through a learning plan they design for themselves through the Self-Planning Learning Experience Project.

Goals

The programs are designed to:

1. Facilitate young people’s adaptive development and offer them career exploration opportunities, to give them a sound understanding and appreciation of various suitable vocations and professions. 
2. Train senior secondary school graduates to become skilled workers in traditional arts and crafts, and local industries, and enhance their employment rate.
3. Provide young people with more opportunities for international experiences and studies, through which they can personally experience life’s diversity and enhance their international competitiveness.
4. Create financial reserves for young people to use to fund their future further education and/or career development, and channels for skilled people who successfully implement their programs to enroll in a university or college and undertake higher education.

Strategies:

1. Real working experience, plus funding for study, employment, and startups.

　　Each application is first reviewed by the applicant’s former secondary school, then by the Ministry of Education, and successful applications are then reviewed by the Ministry of Labor. The Ministry of Labor will help successful applicants find a quality position.

　　If an applicant finds a position as a full-time employee, the government will deposit NT$10,000 into their Program Saving Account each month for up to three years. This funding assistance can be used for future study, employment, or even starting their own business.

　　Consultation and advisory services are available during the application process.

　　A series of tailor-made counseling support services has been established for young people taking part to help them to develop more self-awareness, and have a better understanding of their personality, values, competencies, preferences, and expectations of their future career.

　　The young people who successfully implement their programs are eligible to apply for admission to college or university. Young men may postpone their mandatory military service until they complete their program.

2. Self-Planning Experiential Learning Project - gathering life experiences:

　　The Self-Planning Learning Experience Project is another vital part of the Youth Savings Program: the young participants map out their future orientation in life through a range of self-discovery and career development experiences.

　　Senior secondary school graduates can design their own 2 to 3 year experiential learning plan. Self-directed learning plans can include experiences such as local and overseas voluntary service, youth travel exploration, mentoring programs, start-up internships, and other programs.

　　An applicant’s draft learning plan is reviewed by the school the applicant graduated from, and a further review is done by the Ministry of Education. If an applicant’s proposal is approved, a variety of subsidies, training, consultation services and administrative assistance is available to help them engage in local and international activities.