NN38, February 2007
Technical and Vocational Skills Development
TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG
By Mitzi Leung Mee Chee, Vocational Training Council, Hong Kong
KeywordsTVET, Vocational Training Council, Hong Kong
Summary
This article examines developments in TVET provision in Hong Kong, noting that with the relocation of many manufacturing industries to Mainland China and the arrival of a knowledge-based economy, TVET is gaining in popularity. It goes on to describe the activities of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), the largest provider of vocational education and training in Hong Kong.
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The value of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) has long been recognized by the industry sectors in Hong Kong. In 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) (www.vtc.edu.hk) was set up. It is the largest provider of vocational education and training in Hong Kong with over 160,000 places offered per year. While the part-time places total some 140,000, the initial in-take to the full-time programmes exceeded 16,000 last year.
TVET had, however, been considered generally a second choice by students, parents, and the community. One of the reasons was that graduates of TVET were mainly blue collar workers in the past as TVET traditionally related to the manufacturing industry. We are seeing dramatic changes in recent years.
With the relocation of many of Hong Kong?s manufacturing industries to Mainland China and the arrival of a knowledge-based economy, TVET is gaining new recognition and is becoming a obvious choice for an average young person nowadays recommended by career teachers.
Knowledge creation with new and emerging industry sectors such as communication, design, environment, and health give rise to interest and recognition of the importance of associated knowledge and skills to meet the workplace and manpower demand for skill sets unknown in the past. These knowledge and skills are at times critical for an enjoyable and safe living. For example, health and occupational safety, communicative disease controls.
VTC offers pre-employment and in-service programmes to enhance the employability and lifelong learning opportunities of school leavers and adult learners from craft to higher technician levels with awards of up to higher diplomas. Many of these programmes are linked up with professional bodies and trade associations, as well as academic institutions to provide further education opportunities.
There is a growing view that TVET provides diverse career opportunities and is much more than an alternate route to general academic education. Articulation with universities has been ongoing for many years and this, together with the growing number of vocational degrees on offer to meet specific needs of different industry sectors, is providing more options for career advancement.
The range of VTC programmes provides entries for students with different profiles covering those from junior secondary schools to those who completed A level. A multi-entry multi-exit framework is being put in place and aims to provide a flexible pathway to meet the needs of those who may not be able to afford continuous full-time education due to personal circumstances.
The importance of generic and transferable skills and whole person development is recognised and embedded in study programmes. Much emphasis is on the skill of learning to learn, in order to prepare students for life long learning.
VTC enjoys close networks with different industry sectors through the set up of advisory boards and committees. Technical skills and competencies required for different workplaces provide input for curriculum development. Centres of excellence in collaboration with industries are encouraged and set up to promote technology transfer and sharing of good practice. These contacts provide excellent continuous staff development opportunities and the updating of the relevance of programme content. Graduates become more employable and in demand.
People are Hong Kong?s main resource. TVET addresses the mass. With globalisation and rapid advances in technology, TVET is important to meet the demand for skilled workers and for Hong Kong to sustain her competitiveness. Adding value to her people through effective and efficient TVET delivery is a challenge and I think we are moving in the right direction.
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