Many employers find that while foreign domestic workers have basic household skills, they often struggle when faced with specialized needs such as elderly care, infant care, or local cuisine. Arranging additional training for domestic helpers not only improves the quality of in-home care but also gives employers greater peace of mind. Below, we’ve compiled practical information on course options, cost responsibilities, and scheduling.
Course Options: Social Welfare Department-Funded Courses and Privately Offered Courses
1. Social Welfare Department’s “Pilot Training Program for Foreign Domestic Helpers Caring for the Elderly” (Free of charge)
If your foreign domestic worker needs to care for an elderly family member, this is the top choice. This program is funded by the Social Welfare Department and organized in collaboration with nongovernmental organizations; it is specifically designed for foreign domestic workers who are already employed and caring for frail elderly individuals. The course covers core care knowledge such as lifting and transferring, feeding techniques, monitoring vital signs, fall prevention, and first aid.
Course Features:
- No fees: Funded by the Social Welfare Department; neither foreign domestic workers nor employers are required to pay.
- Language Support: Courses are taught in English or Cantonese, and interpretation services are provided in Indonesian, Filipino, and Thai.
- Convenient Arrangements: While domestic helpers are attending classes, some centers can provide temporary care services for seniors.
- Certificate of Attendance: A certificate will be awarded upon completion of the course
Recent examples of classes include those in Wong Tai Sin (June–July 2026, every Friday afternoon), Kwun Tong (May–June 2026, every Friday morning), and North Point (May–July 2026), with locations throughout Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Courses typically last about 18.5 hours (12 hours of core curriculum + 6.5 hours of electives) and are spread over several weeks.
2. Private Sector Courses
If a foreign domestic worker needs to care for infants or young children, learn local cooking, or requires more targeted in-home training, they may consider private courses:
| Course Type | Key Points | Estimated Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-On Training for Household Visits | Tailor-made programs addressing daily care for seniors, assistance with mobility, and medication management, with in-home guidance provided by nurses or trained instructors | Approx. $3,320 (4 sessions totaling 8 hours of nursing instruction); $250 per hour (instructor-led instruction) |
| Comprehensive Nursing Curriculum | Personal care techniques, assisting with lifting and transferring, measuring vital signs, etc. | $800–$850 (8–12 hours) |
| Introduction to the Workshop | An Introduction to Basic Nursing Knowledge | Free for current customers; $100 (1.5 hours) for others |
Private courses offer more flexible schedules, with some classes held on Sundays, which may be more convenient for working professionals.
Who is responsible for the costs?
This is a concern for many employers:
- Government-funded courses: Tuition is fully waived and paid for with public funds; neither the employer nor the foreign domestic worker is required to pay.
- Private Training Courses: Currently, there are no mandatory regulations regarding which party should cover the costs. Public opinion holds that, given that foreign domestic workers earn only a few thousand dollars a month, it is unrealistic to expect them to pay several thousand or even tens of thousands of dollars in training fees out of their own pockets. From a practical standpoint, if the training directly enhances the domestic worker’s ability to care for the family, the ultimate beneficiaries are still the employer’s household; therefore, it is reasonable and common for the employer to cover the costs.
Earlier, there were concerns that the Indonesian government might pass on the training costs to employers, but the Acting Consul General of Indonesia in Hong Kong has clarified that the training and recruitment costs for Indonesian domestic workers coming to Hong Kong will continue to be borne by the workers themselves and will not be passed on to employers.
The Complete Guide to Additional Training for Foreign Domestic Workers: Cooking Classes
When arranging additional training for domestic helpers, cooking classes are one of the options that many employers are most interested in—after all, daily meals directly impact the health and quality of life of the entire family. Below is a compilation of cooking classes available on the market specifically designed for domestic helpers, covering specialized categories such as Chinese cuisine, Western cuisine, baking, and postpartum meals, to help you select the most suitable course based on your needs.
Types of Cooking Classes and Organizations That Offer Them
1. Courses offered by the Employment Center (free of charge for those hired by the Center)
Several large employment agencies have established their own training centers in Hong Kong to provide free or discounted on-the-job cooking courses to foreign domestic workers hired through them:
| Organization | Course Highlights | cost |
|---|---|---|
| Huanxin Employment | Hong Kong-style Chinese Cooking Class, 2.5–3 hours, including demonstrations and hands-on practice. Dishes include Arrowroot, Adzuki Bean, Lentil, and Catfish Soup; Fish-Flavored Eggplant; and Osmanthus-Scented Black Vinegar Pork Ribs. The instructor has over 30 years of experience in Chinese cuisine and teaches in Cantonese and English, with translation provided for Indonesian and Filipino participants. | Provided free of charge by foreign domestic workers hired by the center |
| Sunshine Maids Agency | Training centers are located in North Point and Central, offering courses in Chinese cuisine, infant care, Cantonese, and more. Each course consists of approximately seven sessions, and participants who pass are awarded a certificate. An online support group is available after the courses conclude. | Foreign domestic workers hired through the center can enroll in a two-year training program in Hong Kong free of charge. |
| Anlewo Employment Center | The Central Training Center offers cooking classes that teach Chinese home-style dishes (such as Mapo Tofu and pineapple sweet-and-sour pork), Western cuisine, and desserts (such as snowflake cookies and coconut milk sago pudding). The classes emphasize “simple, easy-to-learn, and nutritionally balanced” recipes and provide tips on kitchen techniques. | Please contact the center for more information. |
2. Independent training institutions (open to the public)
If you are not hired through a specific employment center, or if you would like more course options, you may want to consider the following organizations:
| Organization | Course Highlights | Estimated Costs |
|---|---|---|
| YWCA Women's Learning Center (McDonald Road, Central) | We offer courses in Asian cuisine, Western cuisine, baking, kitchen management, and food safety, including beginner and intermediate certificate programs (5–6 sessions, one class per week), as well as one-day hands-on training sessions. Instructor Renu Singh has over 10 years of experience teaching foreign domestic workers and conducts classes in English. | $390 – $3,120 (depending on the course type); you can apply for an annual pass to receive a discount |
| Gas Cooking Center (Lee Theatre, Causeway Bay) | Offers Chinese cooking classes in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin | $400 – $3,000 |
| The Family Zone | A postpartum cooking class designed specifically for foreign domestic workers, taught in-home by experienced postpartum care providers who instruct on traditional Chinese postpartum dishes. The 2-hour class is tailored to the nutritional needs of new mothers. | $2,000 (In-home lessons) |
| Mayu’s Kitchen & Co. | We offer courses in Japanese, Korean, Mediterranean, and plant-based cuisine. Each 4-week course consists of sessions lasting 2–3 hours, with small-group instruction and seasonal themes (such as the “Spring Detox” series). Classes are held in Kennedy Town and Happy Valley. | 4-Class Package: $ 3,000 |
| Katia Demekhina (Pacific Place Residences) | Led by a certified nutritional therapist, this course teaches how to prepare healthy, nutritionally balanced meals. It includes a 3-hour hands-on session in small classes of 8–12 students, and provides teaching materials such as recipe cards and nutrition notes. | $ 1,299 per class |
| The Mixing Bowl HK (Sheung Wan) | Offers baking classes | $400 – $850 |
| Yum Cha (Central) | We offer private cooking classes on dim sum preparation, ideal for domestic helpers who want to learn how to make dim sum. | $550 (Minimum order of 8 people) |
How should class times be scheduled?
Scheduling is another major challenge, especially for dual-income families:
- Choose a daytime class: Most Social Welfare Department classes are scheduled for weekday mornings or afternoons, which has less of an impact on daily family life.
- Taking Advantage of Support Services: During Social Welfare Department courses, some centers offer free temporary respite care or caregiving services to seniors in need. Spaces are limited, so be sure to inquire when registering.
- Flexible Options for Private Lessons: Private lessons offer more flexible scheduling; some are held on Saturdays or Sundays, and some even allow for in-home instruction, providing even greater flexibility.
- Prior Communication and Planning: You must obtain your employer’s consent before registering. It is recommended that you explain the purpose and schedule of the training to your foreign domestic worker and adjust the division of household chores in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question 1: What qualifications are required for foreign domestic workers to enroll in the Social Welfare Department’s elder care training program? Is the employer’s consent required?
Yes. Participants must be foreign domestic workers who have been hired and are currently caring for—or will be caring for—frail elderly individuals. They must also have their employer’s recommendation or permission, and their employer must have purchased the legally required workers’ compensation insurance.
Question 2: Where are private training courses typically held? Can the schedule be accommodated for working professionals?
Private courses offer more flexible scheduling. Some courses offered by organizations are scheduled for Sundays; for example, certain comprehensive nursing courses are held on Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In addition, some organizations offer in-home training services, where a trainer or nurse visits the participant’s home to provide instruction. The schedule can be arranged by mutual agreement, which is particularly convenient for families with elderly members who have difficulty leaving the house.
Question 3: If a foreign domestic worker resigns shortly after completing training, will the training fees have been wasted?
This is a genuine concern for many employers. Currently, there is no mechanism requiring foreign domestic workers to serve for a certain period after completing training. From a practical standpoint, before deciding to pay for a more expensive private training course, employers can first discuss the purpose and expectations of the training with the foreign domestic worker to understand their willingness to provide care. The Social Welfare Department’s free eldercare training courses carry no risk of “wasting money” and are the preferred choice for families caring for the elderly. If opting for private in-home training, some agencies charge by the hour, allowing families to purchase sessions based on actual needs, thereby reducing risk.
In summary, if the goal of training is to enhance knowledge of elder care, the Social Welfare Department’s free courses are the best place to start; if more targeted training or greater flexibility in scheduling is needed, private courses may be considered, some of which even offer in-home services. In terms of cost, government courses are free, while private courses are typically paid for by employers. In terms of scheduling, daytime courses that coordinate with the center’s respite care services, or in-home training, are both feasible options.
