Welcome to the VTC's News and Events pages

In this section we will present the latest news concerning developments that affect our organisation.

This section will be up-dated periodically to keep you informed!

 
28 March 2001 VTC 2000 IT Manpower Survey re-affirms significant increase in demand for IT Personnel

22 March 2001  Outstanding apprentices and trainees awarded for excellent performance 

20 March 2001  Yeung Kai-yin reviews effectiveness of VTC's reforms and high employment rate of graduates at Annual Reception

19 March 2001 VTC and ERB "IT Assistant Training Programme" invites applications

19 March 2001 Talking Web and Telephone System won in a Public Voting Competition
as the most outstanding IVE student project

9 March 2001 IVE student World Champion in LCC&I accounting exam

7 March 2001 VTC's Kwun Tong Skills Centre Open Day welcome all

6 March 2001 Learn future mobile communications in VTC seminar　

3 March 2001 IVE Student Projects Competition concluded successfully with overwhelming response from the general public

2 March 2001 IVE Student Centre adds new dimension to campus life

22 February 2001 IVE open day "a live experience of creativity-cum-practicality"

18 February 2001 New IVE Higher Diploma and Diploma programmes on offer

14 February 2001 VTC to showcase education and career opportunities to equip young people for the 21st century

12 February 2001 Voting for Most Outstanding IVE Student Project opens to public

8 February 2001 VTC open house for young people seeking vocational training opportunities

1 February 2001 VTC helps increase pool of local IT talent through launch of its successful IT training programme in Macau

13 January 2001 Outstanding young tradespeople selected to represent Hong Kong in 2001World Skills Competition

9 January 2001 VTC receives HK$10m-worth software tools from Grandmass to equip IVE students for the new era of manufacturing

12 December 2000 Opening of first Chinese Cuisine Training Institute to provide comprehensive training in the Chinese culinary art

7 December 2000 IVE's new high-tech building to strengthen IT application in vocational education

2 December 2000 IT Assistant Training Programme turns out 175 hopefuls

2 December 2000 Over 300 IVE students presented scholarships and awards valued $1.4 million

28 November 2000 VTC confers awards on 12,000 graduates at its second IVE Graduation Ceremony

22 November 2000 VTC urges employers to support manpower surveys for Banking & Finance Industry and Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades

6 November 2000 VTC to hold seminar on China's accession to WTO　

2 November 2000 Six vehicle apprentices shine at VTC's Best Apprentice Competition

27 October 2000 Plans for VTC's well-received Proficiency Certificate Programme in Property Management to link up with tertiary education institutions

20 October 2000 Companies wishing to acquire new technology training invited to Free Seminar on VTC's New Technology Training Scheme

19 October 2000 Demand for quality infrastructure boosts electrical and mechanical services industry

17 October 2000 IVE boosts child care places to echo education reform in Policy Address

16 October 2000 VTC's Symposium to explore the impact of the Internet in public relations and advertising

10 October 2000 Best young beautician selected in HK Youth Skill Competition

7 October 2000 Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 kicked off with first industry-wide beauty care competition

30 September 2000  New VTC Centre to promote development of product design and tooling technology

29 September 2000 Hong Kong's textiles and clothing industry maintains leading position

21 September 2000  Car maintenance industry sets a higher standard for workforce

15 September 2000  MDC promotes E-learning by offering more than 300 on-line business and management training programmes

11 September 2000  VTC extends the scope of its popular Professional Development Scheme for the Insurance Industry

29 August 2000  Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 welcomes applications 

8 August 2000  Vocational education and training is the alternative route: VTC

7 August 2000  IVETA Conference 2000: Landmark event in Hong Kong opens for worldwide vocational education & training professionals

30 July 2000 Launch of VTC Student Community Service Programme at Opening of "Millennium Vocational Education Awareness Month"

29 July 2000 VTC and ERB boost IT Assistant Training Programme to meet strong demand　

26 July 2000 VTC offers training to enhance youths' job prospects

21 July 2000 IVE students awarded for innovative projects

19 July 2000 Employers cite customer concern and crisis management as key elements of managerial competency, VTC survey says

14 July 2000 VTC to stage Vocational Training and Education Exhibitions

6 July 2000 IVE student World Champion in LCCI typing exam

4 July 2000  VTC to present Digital Era - Student Works Exhibition

3 July 2000 VTC to offer Internet Application, Web Design and Maintenance Course for Real Estate Services

23 June 2000 Vocational Training Council to Introduce Trade Testing, Systematic Training and Skills Upgrading for the Chinese Cuisine Industry

23 June 2000 The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Applies Computer Technology in Culinary Training

19 June 2000  Employment boom found in insurance industry, says VTC survey

31 May 2000 IVE Common First Year and Diploma Students Win Eligibility for Government Grants and Loans Scheme

26 May 2000  Vocational Training Council welcomes appointment of First Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Training Board

19 May 2000  VTC offers more part-time study opportunities for people with secondary three education

16 May 2000 VTC's 60 summer short courses open for applications

15 May 2000 Survey reveals VTC graduates well received by industry and commerce

4 May 2000 First IT Assistant Training Programme trains up IT new blood

3 May 2000  Local printing industry to benefit from digital technology through opening of Advanced Printing Technology Centre

28 April 2000 Applications open for 100 IVE part-time higher technician and technician courses

26 April 2000 VTC's Best Apprentice Competitions call for nominations

6 April 2000 VTC opens the first Hong Kong Centre for Transport and Logistics

28 March 2000 VTC to hold technical seminar on Internet access technology

23 March 2000 Outstanding apprentices and trainees awarded for excellent performance

22 March 2000 VTC enters into agreement with International Institute for Software Technology to spearhead software testing research

21 March 2000 VTC in the right course, says Yeung Kai-yin at Annual Reception

13 March 2000  IVE's purchasing and supply courses gain international recognition

6 March 2000  IVE's full-time programmes for secondary five school leavers invite applications

3 March 2000  Case study on interactive marketing wins top award in VTC's regional case-writing competition

1 March 2000  VTC Symposium brings together Hong Kong's Leading Real Estate Services Bodies for the first time

21 February 2000  IVE launches new admission scheme

28 December 1999 Banking and finance industry demands better IT skills from staff, VTC survey reveals

3 December 1999  Demand for security services personnel expected to rise - VTC survey

1 December 1999  VTC launches pioneering Web-based management training for Hong Kong's managers

25 November 1999  Computer whizz-kid scores first victory for Hong Kong in World Skills Competition

2 November 1999  Six vehicle apprentices triumph at 1999 Best Apprentice Competitions

23 October 1999  VTC signs co-operative agreement with top UK university

18 October 1999  Outstanding young local tradespeople to represent Hong Kong in World Skills Competition

7 September 1999  VTC appoints new Principal for IVE (Tsing Yi)

25 August 1999  Latest VTC survey reveals shipping industry's growing manpower needs

9 August 1999  IT expert appointed head of VTC's Information Technology Training and Development Centre

6 August 1999  Vocational education is the alternative route: VTC

5 August 1999  VTC releases Hong Kong's first manpower survey report on real estate services

25 July 1999  Opening of IVE Roadshow launches Hong Kong's first vocational education television commercial

22 July 1999  IVE announces the launch of pioneering common first year system for post-secondary school students in Hong Kong

16 June 1999  IVE signs MOU with Australian institute

8 June 1999  VTC appoints Gigi and Leo as first Vocational Education Ambassadors

NEWS  Topping-up Training Courses for Technically Competent Persons (TCP) Grade T1 Interim Certificate

VTC 2000 IT Manpower Survey re-affirms significant increase in demand for IT Personnel

- Expanded training provided by VTC's Information Technology Training and Development Centre to help meet demand

The total manpower in the local information technology (IT) sector, excluding data entry operators, had increased by 36.8% from 44847 people in January 1998 to 61356 in March 2000, according to a survey conducted by the Committee on Information Technology Training and Development of the Vocational Training Council (VTC).

Among the 6156 employees, 16706 (27.2 %) were engaged in application systems development, 10526 (17.2 %) in hardware support, 7998 (13 %) in systems programming, 7191 (11.7%) in IT management, 6 197 (10.1 %) in telecommunications and networking. The remaining 12738 (20.8%) were involved in systems operation, IT education and training, Internet/multimedia/contents development, database, and IT research and product development.

By sector, 21755 (35.5 %) of the IT employees worked in wholesale, retail, import/export, restaurants and hotels, and 18230 (29.7 %) in financing, insurance, real estate and business services.

A total of 12336 IT employees, or 20.1 % of total IT employees, were recruited in the past 12 months from the time of the survey. Among them were 8 958 (14.6 %) experienced persons and 2244 (3.7 %) fresh graduates from Hong Kong, and 586 (1 %) experienced persons and 548 (0.9 %) fresh graduates outside Hong Kong. There were also 268 (0.4 %) internal promotions.

The survey also revealed that 167186 employees would be sponsored by employers to attend IT courses in 2000/01.

Employers had forecasted that the total number of IT posts would increase to 67185 in March 2001 from 63177 in March 2000, representing an overall annual growth rate of 6.3 %.

The annual additional training requirements for IT employees from 2000 to 2004 estimated by the Committee would be 120 to 235 at IT management, 5530 to 6760 application systems development, Internet/multimedia/contents development, telecommunications and networking, database, and systems programming, 3260 to 3985 hardware support, 795 to 970 IT research and product development, and 1520 to 1860 IT education and training.

The Committee recommends that local education and training institutions should consider allocating more resources for end-users, teachers, school-based technicians and network administrators in IT training. The Committee also recommends that employers should provide systematic training to employees.

Meanwhile, the Vocational Training Council has significantly expanded its IT training provision to help meet the needs of the labour market. The total number of training places offered by its Information Training and Development Centre (ITTDC) has increased from 7631 in 1998/99 to 12458 in 2000/01.

The Committee is supportive of the current development of an online framework for e-learning portal with e-mentors to enable courses of the ITTDC to be managed and delivered through the Internet. The Committee also supports that the Centre operates an IT Skills Assessment Centre in offering computer-based trade tests and skills assessment services for people who would like to acquire IT vocational qualifications.

The "2000 Manpower Survey Report on the Information Technology Sector" is available for sale at the Government Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Queensway Government Offices, Queensway, Hong Kong at HK$33 per copy. The report is also available at the ITTDC website (http://www.ittdc.org/cittd/00survey_main.htm).

The Committee on Information Technology Training and Development is one of the VTC's 23 training boards and committees responsible for determining the manpower needs of the industry and making recommendations to meet its training requirements.

Outstanding apprentices and trainees awarded for excellent performance 

Nine outstanding apprentices selected from some 200 applicants nominated by employers from different trades were honoured at a presentation ceremony for the 2000 Outstanding Apprentice/Trainee Awards held by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) on 22 March.

The awardees was each presented a plaque and a cash prize of HK$3,000 by Legislative Councillor Ms Chan Yuen-han at the ceremony.

The Outstanding Apprentice/Trainee Awards, now in its seventh year, is organised annually by the Committee on Apprenticeship and Trade Testing of the VTC with the aim to commend prominent young people who have chosen to serve apprenticeship. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr K K Cheung, the Committee Chairman said "To the society, apprenticeship is the most effective and economic way of training skilled technical people with theoretical knowledge and practical expertise, capable of meeting changing needs in their own trades."

He said this year the Apprenticeship Scheme is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Since its implementation in 1976, the scheme has turned out over 50 000 well trained technicians and craftsmen.

He also noted that the VTC was making preparations for the implementation of the consultancy recommendations on apprenticeship. These include adopting a more flexible training approach and incorporating a competence-based end-of-training trade test. 

The awardees were as follows:

1.    Mr Chu Wing-chiu (Electronics technician, MTR Corporation Limited)
2.    Mr Hon Chi-hang (Lift technician, Ryoden Lift & Escalator Co Ltd)
3.    Mr Lai Tung-tai (Building services technician, Ryoden Engineering Co Ltd)
4.    Mr Lee Ting-wai (Electrical engineering technician, Hsin Chong Construction Co Ltd)
5.    Mr Chin Chi-hong (Air-conditioning mechanic, TJ Engineering Services Ltd)
6.    Mr Li Man-wah (Aircraft mechanic (Mechanical), Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co Ltd)
7.    Mr Poon Wun-wa (Electrician, Sam Wo Electrical Engineering Hong Kong Co Ltd)
8.    Mr Tse Kong-hoi (Gas utilisation fitter, The Hong Kong & China Gas Co Ltd)
9.    Mr Yip Ka-yin (Electrical fitter, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation)

In addition, another 11 apprentices and trainees were presented with merit awards.

At the ceremony, Professor Lee Ngok, Executive Director of the VTC and Director of Apprenticeship, presented certificates of appreciation to 12 employers for their continuous support to apprentice training for more than 20 years.

The 2000 Outstanding Apprentice/Trainee Awards were sponsored by Jardine Technical Services and Hsin Chong Construction Group Ltd.

Under the Apprentice Ordinance, the apprenticeship scheme is designed for young people aged between 14 and 18. Throughout the period of apprenticeship which lasts three to four years, apprentices receive practical training and attend a part-time day release course of complementary technical education.

Yeung Kai-yin reviews effectiveness of VTC's reforms and high employment rate of graduates at Annual Reception

- Guest of Honour Ms Sandra Lee, JP, Secretary for Economic Services, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
- Presentation of the Grand Prize Award of the "IVE Student Projects Competition" - the first VTC competition open to public voting both on-line and off-line

Mr Yeung Kai-yin, Chairman of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), reviewed the effectiveness of the reforms and initiatives in the past year to strengthen the responsiveness of the VTC and its education and training provision to changing market needs.

Speaking at the VTC Annual Reception tonight (20 March) at the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI), Mr Yeung highlighted that the first batch of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) graduates in 1999/2000 had enjoyed an even higher job placement rate - over 80% for Diploma graduates and over 90% for Higher Diploma graduates respectively - than their counterparts in the pre-IVE days.

"In the survey of employers who have recruited IVE graduates, over 80% Diploma and Higher Diploma graduates received favourable comments from their employers for their personal attributes, technical and professional skills," said Mr Yeung. "This re-affirms the recognition of the qualifications by employers and reflects that our courses are closely aligned to the needs of employers."

Guest of Honour Ms Sandra Lee, Secretary for Economic Services, HKSAR, said with confidence that the VTC had made a lot of contribution in the training of manpower and urged the public to continue to support the VTC.

She said that the training of manpower plays an important part in helping to maintain Hong Kong's position as a major international centre for business, aviation, shipping and tourism.

One of the important tasks of VTC to enhance the quality and effectiveness of course delivery is to improve teaching and training facilities, said Mr Yeung Kai-yin. A new hi-tech building being built in IVE (Sha Tin), to be completed in May, will accommodate an additional 1000 full-time students in the coming academic year and provide facilities for the teaching of IT-related subjects.

Mr Yeung also mentioned 80% of the first batch of 1560 graduates of the new one-year Foundation Diploma had entered Diploma or Higher Diploma courses and the rest had found employment. Since September 2000, two new teaching centres had helped increase the annual intake to 3000.

He pointed out that apart from a modernisation of the training centres' equipment and infrastructure, there were new initiatives to meet the demand of the service sector. The region's first Chinese Cuisine Training Institute, officially opened last December, would help strengthen Hong Kong's reputation as the "Food Capital of the East", promote tourism and establish Hong Kong as a regional training and accreditation centre in Chinese cuisine.

He concluded that the VTC was well-positioned to support the Government's policy for higher education and the concept of life-long learning. More skills upgrading training, IT in particular, would be offered to meet the demand arising from China's accession to the WTO. Self-financed Higher Diploma was being planned to help raise the provision of tertiary education in Hong Kong.

On the occasion, Mr Yeung also presented certificates and prizes to the winners of the "IVE Student Projects Competition", the first competition organised by VTC for IVE students across all disciplines to encourage their creation of both innovative and practical products. Seven entries had been selected from over 140 submissions for the final stage of public voting which attracted a total of nearly 7000 votes on-line and off-line.

"The Talking Web and Telephone System" by Mr Kong Chiu-chun and Mr Yu Pak-yeuk and "Contactless Personal Identification" by Mr Yu Yuk-fai and Mr Wong Ho-yin, both from IVE (Chai Wan), won the Grand Prize - a JVC product coupon worth $10000 - and the Merit Award - a JVC product coupon worth $4000 - respectively. The competition was sponsored by Shun Hing JVC Limited.

In his vote of thanks, VTC Executive Director Prof Lee Ngok called upon the Council's stakeholders to continue to support its work. 

The reception at the CCTI was well attended by hundreds of guests, including prominent personalities from the business, industrial and government sectors as well as the local academic community.

VTC and ERB "IT Assistant Training Programme" invites applications


The well-received IT Assistant Training Programme (ITAT), jointly organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and the Employees Retraining Board (ERB), is admitting another batch of about 400 students on 14 classes due to commence in June this year.

It is the first Government-initiated programme aimed at providing essential IT skills training for young school-leavers and the mature unemployed with a view to enhancing their competitiveness in the job market. The batch of 281 graduates from the pilot scheme launched last February have been well accepted by employers with over 90 percent of them able to secure employment within a short time.

Recognising the distinct success of the programme and the prevalent strong market demand, the Government last decided July to offer the ITAT course on a regular basis and increase the study places significantly. Another 1 000 students have enrolled on the course and yet another 1 000 places will be offered in stages from June this year.

Since the pilot run, the contents of the programme have been enriched and a Web-based version has been launched. Using learner-centred approach, the alternative training form allows students to study more flexibly and set their own learning pace.

The free ITAT Programme, of about 10 weeks' duration, provides trainees with up-to-date practical training in basic IT skills, office and database applications, Web authoring, e-commerce, and multi-media production. After going through the core subjects, students will progress to either the technical support stream or the Internet/system support stream.

Free job placement services will be provided to ITAT graudates and employers.

Permanent Hong Kong residents (including new arrivals) who have completed secondary three and are unemployed are eligible to apply.

Applications for the ITAT Programme will close on 10 April. Application forms are available from:

For enquiries please call 2591 9811 or email to enquiry@itat.ittdc.org. Further information is also available at the ITAT web-site at http://www.itat.ittdc.org.

The VTC offers the ITAT Programme through its Information Technology Training and Development Centre, which provides high quality and market driven information technology training and services to IT and non-IT personnel of all ages.

Talking Web and Telephone System won in a Public Voting Competition as the most outstanding IVE student project

A web and telephone system controlled by voice was selected by the public as the most outstanding student project.

The system was one of the seven final entries of the IVE Student Projects Competition, which was the first-ever student projects competition organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) for students in all disciplines across the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) with an aim to encourage students to create innovative yet practical products.

Apart from the winning project, the other final entries included a model featuring an internet-enabled experiment on coefficient of static friction, a computerised personal identification system, toys and bathing package for kids and a complex construction mode. 

They were selected out of 140 submissions for the final stage of public voting during which the public was invited to cast their vote for the best project both on-line and off-line, and the final winner was to be determined by the voting result.

This was the first time that the public had been involved in the judging of a competition organised by the VTC, and nearly 7 000 votes were received which indicated the strong public support for students' innovation.

The votes for individual final entries were very close, and the winner only won by a difference of less than 100 votes.

The creators of the winning project, entitled "The Talking Web and Telephone System", Mr Kong Chiu-chunm and Mr Yu Pak-yeuk, were overjoyed at the result, especially when they were told that they had overwhelming support from the on-line voters. 

Both of them are students of the Higher Diploma in Computer Engineering at IVE (Chai Wan). According to the voters, they were very impressed with the IVE students who could create and produce a system that was so innovative and highly applicable in everyday life.

The system enables the user to control the web site by voice instead of mouse or keyboard, which will facilitate people who have difficulty in using these computer peripherals. Its innovative concept and breakthrough in technology even attracted a private company's attention shortly after the information on the final entries had been disclosed to the public. The company expressed interest to adapt the system for internal use.

Information on the final entries was posted on the VTC web site from mid February to early March 2001. The shortlisted projects were introduced to the general public for voting via display panels at the VTC booth at the Education and Careers Expo, IVE Open Day and at the mini-roadshow held at various secondary schools within the same period. A live demonstration was also held on 3 March 2001 at IVE (Tsing Yi) for the public to have a closer look at the projects.

The voters attending the above events strongly supported the talking web and telephone system, and another project, "Contactless Personal Idenfication".

This computerised personal identification system combines the identity card, library card, credit card, personal information storage and others all in a coded personal identification card that allows the cardholder to increase the stored value and update the information by himself.

IVE student World Champion in LCC&I accounting exam

The Vocational Training Council has produced another world champion -- Miss Liu Ka-ling, an accountancy graduate of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), who has been awarded the Gold Medallion for becoming global and Hong Kong champion in Higher Accounting (3rd Level) in the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCC&I) Examinations.

Responding to the question why she chose to study the Diploma in Accountancy at the Morrison Hill Campus of IVE two years ago, she said, "It is a common phenomenon in Hong Kong that a considerable number of secondary five graduates lack self-confidence, vocational training and work experience, and thus often fail to seek a suitable job. I believe young people can maximize their chance of success by sharpening their skills and gaining relevant qualifications. This was the reason why I took up vocational training with IVE."

She said the training she received at IVE was very useful to her present job as an audit clerk in an audit firm. 

"The programme of study in IVE was very intensive. However, under the close supervision of my teachers, I was able to acquire all-round practical training, build up a firm foundation in accountancy and learn to work effectively as a team with my classmates," she said.

To further her career development in the field of accountancy, Ka-ling is currently studying a part-time degree course in accounting at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The IVE's two-year Diploma in Accountancy covers a wide range of subjects including Advanced Accounting, Auditing and Ethical Issues, Business English, Chinese Communication for Business, Cost and Management Accounting, Legal Framework and Taxation.

All the nine campuses of IVE have a Business Administration Department offering quality Higher Diploma and Diploma courses in the areas of accountancy, business information systems, insurance, global and electronic operations, sales and marketing, transport and logistics studies, China business practices, purchasing and supply management and so on.

To keep in line with the needs of local businesses, the Department is introducing two new programmes, namely, Higher Diploma in Corporate Administration and Systems, and Higher Diploma in Business Promotion and Event Management.

IVE is offering over 90 full-time post-secondary five courses under nine disciplines with 11 000 study places for the academic year 2001/02. Classified into higher diploma, diploma, design subject group, vocational certificate and foundation diploma, the courses are accepting applications until 12 March. Enquiries can be made by calling the hotline (2897 6111).

IVE, a merger of the two former technical colleges and seven former technical institutes, also offers Certificate in Vocational Studies courses and a few craft level courses to secondary three school leavers, as well as part-time courses to cater for the needs of people in employment.

VTC's Kwun Tong Skills Centre Open Day welcome all

- Career talks introducing training opportunities for young people with disabilities, disabled trainees' hand-made products for sale, and more……

The Kwun Tong, Pokfulam, and Tuen Mun Skills Centres of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) will hold a Joint Open Day on 8 March from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

All members of the public are welcome to join the event to be held at the Kwun Tong Skills Centre located at 487 Kwun Tong Road, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

Disabled pupils and their parents will be able to explore the training opportunities for disabled persons offered by the VTC's Skills Centre, Training Centres and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE).

Workshops of the centre will be open to the public. Disabled trainees will demonstrate their technical and commercial skills they have acquired at the centre. Hand-made products by the trainees such as leather goods, garments, metal work and jewellery will be on sale.

The Kwun Tong, Pokfulam and Tuen Mun Skills Centres of the VTC aim to provide vocational training to people with disabilities at age 15 or above to improve their employment prospects. The majority of the full-time programmes on offer are at operative or semi-skilled level, and organized in modular structure to allow trainees to progress at their own pace. Average duration of the training is about three years.

Boarding service is also provided at the Pokfulam and Tuen Mun Skills Centre for developing independent living and social skills of the trainees.

The VTC is the territory's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school leavers and working people. Apart from the three skills centres for the disabled, it operates the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (a merger of two former technical college and seven former technical institutes), 20 training and development centres; and administers the Apprentice Training Scheme.

Learn future mobile communications in VTC seminar

- VTC to hold free seminar to help practising engineers, supervisors and technicians meet the challenges of future mobile communications

In response to the rapid development of the mobile communications industry, the Electronics and Telecommunications Training Board of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is organising a technical seminar on "Future Mobile Communications" on 16 March (Friday) from 1:45 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.

Mobile communication is improving our life quality and work efficiency as well as boosting business opportunities. The seminar aims to provide practising engineers, supervisors and technicians an opportunity to update their knowledge of the latest mobile communication technology and market trend.

Offered free-of-charge, the seminar will be held at Lecture Theatre (Room 751), 7/F, VTC Tower, 27 Wood Road, Wanchai.

Taking part in the seminar are two experts from the industry. Mr Jacky Lo of 3Com Asia limited will in his talk on "Advanced Wireless Technologies and Solutions" brief participants on market needs, components and standards involved, and implementation as well as the future trend of wireless connections and the respective solutions. A demonstration on "AirConnect" - the latest LAN technology and solution -- will be presented during the talk.

The second talk on the topic of "The Future of Mobile Data Communication and its Opportunities" by Dr James Fok from Group Sense Limited will concentrate on the state of development of different mobile data communication technologies such as GSM, PHS, Bluetooth and two-way paging. Also, how these technologies are going to affect our daily lives and the business implications will be discussed.

Both talks will be conducted in Cantonese and supplemented by English terms. After the talks, ample time will be devoted to the question and answer session for exchange of personal experiences and opinions. 

As the seating capacity is limited, interested design, manufacturing, trading and services companies in electronics telecommunication and computer may nominate their staff, up to a maximum of three per company, to participate in the seminar.

For enquiries and registration please contact the training board's secretary on 2836 1099 (telephone) or 2574 3759 (facsimile).

The Electronics and Telecommunications Training Board is one of the 19 training boards under the Vocational Training Council. It is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the industry and providing training to meet such needs.

IVE Student Projects Competition concluded successfully with overwhelming response from the general public

The first-ever IVE Student Projects Competition organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) for all students of its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) reached its climax with a live demonstration of the seven final entries to the general public held at the IVE Tsing Yi campus on 3 March. 

The visitors attending the demonstration showed huge interest in the final entries by asking questions and providing suggestions to refine the products.

The seven final entries, ranging from web and telephone system for the disabled, computerised personal identification system, toys and bathing package for kids and complex construction model, were selected out of over 140 IVE student projects.

In the last three weeks, they were introduced to the general public via display panels at the VTC booth at the Education and Careers Expo, IVE Open Day and at the mini-roadshow held at various secondary schools. The information was also posted on the VTC web site.

The public was invited to cast their vote for the best project both on-line and off-line, and the final winner would be determined by the voting result. 

This was the first time that the public had been involved in the judging of a competition organised by the VTC. Executive Director of the VTC, Professor Lee Ngok, said in his opening remark at the demonstration event, "it is a valuable experience for the students as they have to learn how to sell their projects to the general public in order to win votes".

Also attending the demonstration event were Mr Edmond Leung and Ms Yo Yo Mong, who were appointed as "Stars of the Finalists' Demonstration".

Sponsored by JVC, the IVE Student Projects Competition is organised for the first time by the VTC for students of its IVE in all disciplines with an aim to encourage students to create innovative yet practical products.

With the successful completion of the demonstration event, the public voting also came to an end. After verifying the votes, the organiser will announce the result in late March 2001.

IVE, established by the Vocational Training Council by merging the former two technical colleges and technical institutes, is committed to delivering quality vocational education for secondary five and secondary three school leavers as well as working people. It is accepting applications for its 2001/02 full-time post-secondary five courses through its own Admissions Office until 12 March.

IVE Student Centre adds new dimension to campus life

Students of the Haking Wong Campus of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) now have an outreach base to cultivate their leadership and interpersonal skills, made available by the new Jockey Club Student Centre, which was officially opened on the Campus Open Day on 2 March.

The building of the new Student Centre was made possible by a generous donation of HK$19.6 million to the Vocational Training Council (VTC) by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and the Bermuda Trust (Hong Kong) Limited.

Speaking at the opening ceremony today, the VTC's Executive Director Professor Lee Ngok said, "This Student Centre, with its modern and well-designed facilities, professional and friendly student services, and most importantly, committed and active student leaders, will shape a proactive and participative campus culture in our Institute. This lays the foundation of a value-added educational experience for students." 

He added that the Centre would also provide a platform for students and staff together to integrate student activities and student services as worthwhile components of vocational education. 

The purpose-built building houses a squash court, a fitness room, a Cyber room and several student function rooms. During the past months, the Campus' Student Affairs Office has conducted various developmental programmes and student activities under the theme of "Nurturing our young leaders for an enriched life" to train IVE students in leadership, communication and social skills.

"These included fitness and sports skill courses, workshops on leadership training and interpersonal relationship, as well as many other cultural and recreational activities. The response of our students has been so positive that the Centre is now the golden mile of the Campus," said Mr C.C. Ko, Principal of the Haking Wong Campus.

Also attending the ceremony were Mr T. Brian Stevenson, Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and Ms Twinkie Lau, Director of Bermuda Trust (Hong Kong) Limited.

The Haking Wong Campus, one of the nine campuses of IVE, runs a wide range of quality Higher Diploma, Diploma and Vocational Certificate courses in the following subject areas: hotel catering, travel operations, global and electronic business operations, China business practices, industrial engineering and management, electrical engineering and lift engineering. It currently offers more than 6 000 full-time and part-time study places for post-secondary three and five school leavers and in-service personnel.

IVE is accepting applications for its 2001/02 full-time post-secondary five courses through its own Admissions Office until 12 March.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120 000 people every year through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, 20 training and development centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes.

IVE open day "a live experience of creativity-cum-practicality"


Students, teachers and parents as well as the general public can gain firsthand experience of the creativity and practicality of the quality education programmes offered by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) during the IVE Open Day to be held on its nine campuses on the two coming Fridays and Saturdays.

The details are as follows:

The wide spectrum of events will include exhibitions, special talks, guided visits, demonstrations and games. At each IVE campus, there will be a display of the first-ever IVE Student Projects Competition with seven projects selected from over 140 entries for the final stage of public voting. Organised for IVE students across all disciplines, the competition aims to raise the public awareness of the characteristics of IVE's training especially its creativity and practicality. Visitors can cast a vote for the Most Outstanding IVE Student Project on the spot and enter into a lucky draw to win a JVC MD player.


Highlights of the Open Day includes:

1. Opening Ceremony of the IVE (Sha Tin) Open Day to be officiated by Legislative Councillor Mrs. Sophia Leung on 23 February (Friday), 10am

2. Student Fashion Show by the Department of Fashion and Textiles to be staged at the Sha Tin Campus on 23 February (Friday), 10:15am, and at the Kwai Chung Campus on 24 February (Saturday), 2pm

3. New Jockey Club Students Centre of the IVE (Haking Wong) will be open to the public for the first time on 2 and 3 March (Friday and Saturday)

4. Students of IVE (Tuen Mun) will exhibit their Practice Firms, simulated businesses set up by their own, on 2 and 3 March (Friday and Saturday)

5. The seven finalists of the IVE Students Project Competition will personally demonstrate their braindchild to visitors at a Live Demonstration at the Tsing Yi Campus on 3 March (Saturday), 1:30pm to 4pm

IVE, established by the Vocational Training Council by merging the former two technical colleges and technical institutes, is committed to deliver quality vocational education for secondary five and secondary three school leavers as well as working people. It is accepting applications for its 2001/02 full-time post-secondary five courses through its own Admissions Office until 12 March.

New IVE Higher Diploma and Diploma programmes on offer

- Foundation Diploma Course to lower entry requirement from three HKCEE passes to completion of secondary five only

Responding to the changing needs of society, the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) under the Vocational Training Council (VTC) will introduce a number of brand new Higher Diploma and Diploma courses to its wide array of programmes this September. Prospective students can apply for these courses targeted at secondary five school leavers from tomorrow (19 February) to 12 March. 

The 93 full-time post-secondary five courses provided through the nine IVE campuses for the academic year 2001/02 are classified into higher diploma, diploma, design subject group, vocational certificate and foundation diploma. A total of 11 000 study places are on offer.

Since it was first established in 1999 through the merging of the former two technical colleges and seven technical institutes, IVE has launched a variety of new courses to meet market needs. This trend continues this year with the introduction of more than 10 new programmes at higher diploma and diploma level, mainly in service and IT-related areas.

Among these are Higher Diploma in Health Services Management, Higher Diploma in Corporate Administration and Systems, and Higher Diploma in Business Promotion and Event Management. The Higher Diploma is an internationally and locally recognised sub-degree qualification.

Other new courses under planning are Higher Diploma in Financial Services, Higher Diploma in Internet Computing and Applications, Higher Diploma in Industrial Information Technology and Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing. The Child Care Department and the Automotive Engineering Department are also planning to offer higher diploma level courses for the first time in the next academic year.

While higher diploma, diploma courses and design subject group will continue to accept applicants holding five passes in HKCEE including English Language (Syllabus B), the foundation diploma course that aims to better equip secondary five graduates for work or for further study will revise the entry requirement from three passes in HKCEE to completion of secondary five.

Students having completed secondary five are also welcome to apply for vocational certificate courses of the hotel, service and tourism studies discipline.

Majority of higher diploma and diploma courses belong to subject groups. Students in the same subject group will follow a common first year curriculum, the benefit of which is to enable students to have a broader understanding of their choice discipline before progressing to their second year of study.

Students of the design subject group will have a common first year curriculum, and progression to year two of one of the six higher diploma and diploma courses in graphic and media design, product design and interior design will depend on students' preference and academic performance and availability of places.

Application forms and information booklets for applying for admission to full-time post-secondary five IVE courses are available at the nine IVE campuses and the IVE Admissions Office at Room 012, Academic Block, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Chai Wan), 30 Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan.

The nine IVE campuses are namely, Chai Wan, Haking Wong , Lee Wai Lee, Sha Tin, Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong, Tsing Yi, Morrison Hill and Tuen Mun.

Current secondary five and secondary seven students may obtain application forms from their schools.

The nine disciplines which offer full-time post-secondary five courses are, namely, applied science; business administration; child care; computing and mathematics; construction; design, printing, textiles and clothing; electrical and electronic engineering; hotel, service and tourism studies; mechanical, manufacturing and industrial engineering.

Enquiries can be made by calling the hotline (2897 6111) or through e-mail (iveado@vtc.edu.hk). The public can also obtain IVE course information by visiting the web site at http://www.vtc.edu.hk/ive.htm.

IVE, a merger of the former two technical colleges and seven technical institutes, also operates Certificate in Vocational Studies courses and a few craft level courses for secondary three school leavers. To cater for the needs of people in employment, IVE also provides part-time courses with 9100 places in the part-time day-release mode and 23000 places in the part-time evening mode.

VTC to showcase education and career opportunities to equip young people for the 21st century

- the innovative and informative VTC booth at the Careers Expo 2001 puts on show a great diversity of programmes offered by its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education and training centres
- visitors can vote for the Most Outstanding IVE Student Project on site

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) invites students, parents, teachers and members of the public to find out more about vocational education and training opportunities in Hong Kong at the VTC booth in this year's Education and Careers Expo 2001. The Expo will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wanchai from 15 February until 18 February.

As the largest vocational education and training provider in Hong Kong, the VTC will display at this major educational event the latest information on the educational programmes provided by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), particularly its quality Higher Diploma course, an internationally and locally recognised sub-degree qualification. The comprehensive range of training offered by the VTC's industrial and development centres as well as the apprenticeship and traineeship schemes will also be featured.

IVE will be accepting applications for its full-time post-secondary five courses between 19 February and 12 March. An IVE admission counter at the booth will explain the details to visitors.

This year there will be a special section displaying the first-ever IVE Student Projects Competition with seven projects selected from over 140 entries for the final stage of public voting. Visitors will be invited to vote for the Most Outstanding IVE Student Project. All voters will have the opportunity to enter into a lucky draw to win a JVC MD Player.

Under the corporate theme of "Quality Vocational Education and Training for the 21st Century", the colourful and innovative VTC booth is located at the entrance of the show ground. Videos introducing the VTC, its quality vocational education and other training courses will be shown and VTC staff on the scene to answer enquiries.

Visitors are also welcome to attend four VTC seminars held concurrently with the Expo in the Convention and Exhibition Centre. Details are as follows:

　

Date	Time	Topic
Feb 15 (Thurs)	2:30p.m.– 3:20p.m.	Vocational Training in Hong Kong
	3:40p.m.- 4:30p.m.	VTC Training Centres’ Craft Courses and Apprentice Training
Feb 16 (Fri)	11:00a.m. – 11:50a.m.	Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE)
	4:40p.m. – 5:30p.m.	IVE Post-Secondary Five and Post-Secondary Three Courses and the Admission Scheme

The VTC is the territory's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school leavers and working people. It operates the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (a merger of two former technical college and seven former technical institutes), 20 training and development centres, three skills centres for the disabled; and administers the Apprentice Training Scheme and other training schemes.

Voting for Most Outstanding IVE Student Project opens to public

- VTC organises first voting on the Web for the public to select the best IVE student project
- IVE full-time courses will accept applications from 19 February

The first-ever IVE Student Projects Competition is gaining momentum as the seven finalists were introduced formally on 12 February and the public is invited to participate in an open voting starting on 13 February to select the most outstanding project.

The Competition is organised for the first time by the Vocational Training Council for students of its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) in all disciplines with an aim to encourage students to create innovative yet practical products.

Over 140 submissions were received and seven entries have been selected for the final stage of public voting by a judging panel comprising external assessors and senior VTC representatives.

The projects were assessed on the criteria of creativity, originality, applicability in everyday life or in local industry and commerce, environmental-friendliness, safety, potential for commercialisation, and ability to reflect the characteristics of IVE disciplines.

The seven selected projects ranging from web and telephone system for the disabled, computerised personal identification system, toys and bathing package for kids and complex construction model will enter the final stage of public voting, both on-line and off-line, from 13 February to 3 March 2001.

"This is the first time that the public has been involved in the judging of a competition organised by the VTC through on-line and off-line voting," said Ms Ruth Kan, VTC's Director of Marketing and Public Relations. "We hope to further raise community awareness of the innovative and practical training which the VTC provides for young people through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education."

Other than voting on-line at the VTC web-site http://www.vtc.edu.hk, the public can also cast their vote by visiting the VTC booth at the Education and Careers Expo in the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre between 15 and 18 February and during IVE Open Days in end February and early March. A live demonstration of the projects by the creators themselves will also be held at IVE's Tsing Yi Campus on 3 March for the public to take a closer look at the entries.

The one with the highest vote will win the grand prize - The Most Outstanding IVE Student Project Award. Voters will have the opportunity to enter into a lucky draw with three prizes. All prizes are sponsored by the JVC.

IVE will be offering some 11 000 full-time educational places targeted at secondary five school leavers for the academic year 2001/02. Applications for Higher Diploma, Diploma, Foundation Diploma and Vocational Certificate courses will be accepted from 19 February until 12 March 2001.

Miss Annie Ho, VTC's Acting Principal Education Officer said today that IVE was planning to launch a number of Higher Diploma and Diploma courses in areas which have the highest demand, especially in service and IT-related areas.

These include Higher Diploma in Health Services, Higher Diploma and Diploma in Financial Services, Higher Diploma in Corporate Administration and Systems, Higher Diploma in Business Promotion and Event Management, Higher Diploma in Internet Computing and Applications, Higher Diploma in Internet and Multimedia Engineering, Higher Diploma in Industrial Information Technology, Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education, Higher Diploma in Automotive Engineering and Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing. 

Miss Ho further disclosed that the entry requirement for the popular Foundation Diploma course which aims to better equip secondary five graduates for work or for further study will be revised from three passes in HKCEE to completion of secondary five. 

A total of 7 800 places will be available for IVE Higher Diploma and Diploma courses. Applicants are required to hold five passes in HKCEE including English Language (Syllabus B). Students who have completed secondary five are welcome to apply for Vocational Certificate courses of the hotel, service and tourism studies discipline and Foundation Diploma course. 

Application forms and information booklets will be available at the nine IVE campuses and the IVE Admissions Office at Room 012, Academic Block, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Chai Wan), 30 Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan. Current secondary five and secondary seven students may obtain application forms from their schools. 

The nine disciplines which offer full-time post-secondary five courses are, namely, applied science; business administration; child care; computing and mathematics; construction; design, printing, textiles and clothing; electrical and electronic engineering; hotel, service and tourism studies; mechanical, manufacturing and industrial engineering. 

Enquiry can be made by calling the hotline (2897 6111) or through e-mail (iveado@vtc.edu.hk). The public can also obtain IVE course information by visiting the web site at http://www.vtc.edu.hk/ive.htm. 

IVE, a merger of the former two technical colleges and seven technical institutes, also operates Certificate in Vocational Studies courses and a few craft level courses for secondary three school leavers. To cater for the needs of people in employment, IVE also provides part-time courses with 9100 places in the part-time day-release mode and 23 000 places in the part-time evening mode.

VTC open house for young people seeking vocational training opportunities

- New Chinese Cuisine Training Institute open house for the first time on 17 February 

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) will provide advice and guidance to young people wishing to find out more about vocational training opportunities during its open day events starting tomorrow (9 February).

A VTC spokesman said, "The VTC is the only institution in Hong Kong that offers a full range of training to equip secondary three and five school-leavers with job specific skills for employment. Past statistics show that craft graduates of VTC training centres have enjoyed a consistently high job placement rate, reaching an average of 95% in 1999 despite an economic downturn."

"To further expand the training provision for secondary three school-leavers, 300 places in hospitality and another 300 in building services were added in 2000/01. The region's first Chinese Cuisine Training Institute established by the VTC last year has also launched its first elementary course in Chinese cuisine for youngsters," he added.

In addition, brand new Technician Foundation Courses in Vehicle Servicing, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Electrical Engineering, Lift Engineering and Textiles (Quality Assurance and Merchandising) were offered to secondary five students in 2000/01. 

During the open days of the VTC's training centres located in Kowloon Bay, Pokfulam and Kwai Chung Complexes, young people and their parent and teachers will be able to view the practical working environment and advanced equipment of the training centres designed for hands-on training. 

To help the public to better understand the VTC's industrial training provision, staff of the centres will distribute free information literature, and answer questions about the training programmes on offer. Visitors can also take this opportunity to see a display of student assignments and demonstration.

Details of the open days are as follows:

　

Training Centres	Date	Opening Hours
Training Centres of Automobile, Electrical, Gas, Jewellery, Textile and Welding Industry Kwai Chung Training Centre Complex 13-19 San Kwai Street, Kwai Chung New Territories	9 February (Friday)	9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Training Centres of Electronics, Hospitality, Machine Shop and Metal Working, Plastics and Tooling Technology and Printing Industry Kowloon Bay Training Centre Complex 46 Tai Yip Street, Kowloon Bay Kowloon	9 & 10 February (Friday and Saturday)	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Electrical Industry Training Centre Pokfulam Training Centre Complex 145 Pokfulam Road Hong Kong	16 February (Friday)	9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Pokfulam Training Centre Complex 145 Pokfulam Road Hong Kong	17 February (Saturday)	10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120,000 people every year through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, 20 training and development centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes. The VTC's industrial training centres provide basic pre-employment and upgrading training from operative to technologist level.

VTC helps increase pool of local IT talent through launch of its successful IT training programme in Macau


A unique training programme of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) that has established an excellent track record of training up non-IT graduates as IT professionals in Hong Kong has been extended to Macau for the first time.

Responding to the rapid development of e-commerce, the VTC and the Macau Institute of Management (MIM) have started a joint venture to provide an IT training programme with a direct focus on e-commerce for the Macau business community.

Entitled "IT Training for Non-IT Professionals - e-commerce Series", the programme is based on a popular non-computer graduate entrance course developed and offered by the VTC's Information Technology Training and Development Centre (ITTDC) since 1987.

Over the years, the ITTDC has been updating and enriching the contents of this programme to keep in line with the ever-changing needs of the IT sector. Now known as "Professional IT Training for Non-IT Graduates", it provides basic yet comprehensive IT knowledge to non-IT graduates so that they can apply it effectively in the business environment. Graduates from the programme have been highly valued by Hong Kong's employers for their professional competency and enjoyed a close to 100 per cent placement rate.

Speaking at the signing ceremony for collaboration between the VTC and MIM held earlier, VTC's Executive Director Professor Lee Ngok said, "To share our successful experience with our neighbours and to promote IT training to more people, the VTC has been searching for strategic partners with the same vision and dedication so that training quality can be ensured. We are happy to have found a strong partner in MIM, the esteemed institute in Macau with a long history of training professionals for the community."


"Today, with the formal launch of the programme by MIM, we are confident that this course will achieve the same success in Macau as it has been in Hong Kong," he added.

He further disclosed that the ITTDC was currently developing a comprehensive e-learning portal which, when mature, could offer further training in IT so that graduates of this series and other IT professionals could constantly upgrade their knowledge through web-based training at their own pace. The ITTDC will work closely with MIM to explore the possibility of extending these training services to Macau.

Also officiating at the ceremony, Mr Eddie Chan, Chairman of the MIM's Board of Directors said the IT training programme was especially designed for non-IT tertiary graduates, adding that methods of course delivery included lectures, demonstrations, case studies and hands-on exercises.

He said students upon completion of the programme should have obtained a good knowledge of the latest IT development and be able to apply what they have learnt in the real business world, thus making contribution to the development of e-commerce in Macau and in the region.

The VTC is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school-leavers and working people. Among the VTC's 20 training and development centres, the ITTDC has the mission to provide high quality and market driven information technology training and services for new entrants and upgrading training for IT professionals. It also aims to provide industry support for small and medium enterprises.

MIM is a subsidiary of the Macau Management Association. Since its foundation in 1988, MIM has served as a provider of management education, rendering a comprehensive portfolio of management training to the learning needs of working adults.

Outstanding young tradespeople selected to represent Hong Kong in 2001World Skills Competition

- Members of the Hong Kong Team for the 2001 World Skills Competition officially appointed
- Hong Kong to host the prestigious International Vocational Training Organisation Annual General Meeting for the first time in 2004

Thirteen young local people who excelled in the 2000 Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition will represent Hong Kong in the 2001 World Skills Competition to be held in Seoul, Korea in September.

Organised once every two years by the International Vocational Training Organisation (IVTO), this major international event aims to raise the awareness of the vital importance of vocational and technical training among young people around the world. More than 2 000 competitors and delegates from over 40 countries are expected to take part in the Competition in Seoul. 

The Hong Kong Team for the global competition was selected from the winners of the Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition organised jointly by the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Training Authority, the Clothing Industry Training Authority and the Industrial Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University between July and December last year. Nearly 450 young people compared their skills in 21 trade categories, including mechatronics, automobile technology, cooking, ladies' dressmaking, fitting and graphic design. 

Winners of the Competition were honoured at a special Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 Closing cum Prize Presentation Ceremony held on 13 January at the Morrison Hill Campus of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. The 12 winners selected to form the Hong Kong Team for the Seoul competition were also formally announced at the ceremony. They will be joined by the winner of the floristry trade, a new trade contest to be held in March.

It was also announced at the ceremony that the VTC had won the bid for holding the 2004 IVTO Annual General Meeting in Hong Kong. The event will bring together representatives from vocational organisations all over the world to discuss and decide on the host country and planning details of the 2005 World Skills Competition. The holding of this major event is expected to help reinforce the status of Hong Kong on the international scene.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ng Tat-lun, Chairman of the Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition, said the main objective of the Competition was to encourage young people to make every effort to perfect their skills in their respective trade. Response of the young people to the Competition have been excellent, including the newly introduced Beauty Care Contest.

"I hope that the planning and organization of future competitions can be open to all in society as the responsibility and work of educating young people should be shouldered by the community at large. It is desirable that individual working groups of the different trade contests could be led by industry veterans and attract public participation," he said.

He also stressed the need for lifelong learning. "Every worker in the job market should keep on learning as success can only be achieved through a firm grasp of basic skills and professional standards."

The VTC's Executive Director Prof. Lee Ngok said, "Through the World Skills Competition, not only would the horizons of the participants be broadened, the status of Hong Kong would be raised as well."

"I hope that the community will support us and fund more young people to take part in the Competition. I also hope that the participants of the Competition will try their best and achieve good results for Hong Kong."

Some 80 sponsors for the local competition were today presented with certificates of appreciation for their generous support. 

At today's ceremony, Dr. Tao Ho, renowned architect and artist, was invited to present a prize to Mr. Henry Kwok Tsz-yeung, a design student of the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education for his brilliant performance in the IVTO World Skills Identity Design Competition. He was selected as one of the eight finalists from a total of 63 entries from 24 countries.

The 13 representatives of the Hong Kong team will compete in the following trades in the World Skills Competition: automobile technology, CNC turning, western cooking, floristry, graphic design, information technology, IT PC and network supporter, jewellery, ladies' dressmaking, ladies' hairdressing, plumbing, refrigeration technique, and wall and floor tiling.

In the 35th Competition held in Canada in 1999, the Hong Kong Team won the first gold medal in the PC and Networking trade, in addition to four diplomas of excellence.

VTC receives HK$10m-worth software tools from Grandmass to equip IVE students for the new era of manufacturing

Students of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) will be able to acquire practical knowledge and skills of the latest manufacturing and management tools to enhance productivity and competitiveness of manufacturing production, thanks to a donation of software package amounting to more than HK$10 million from the Grandmass Enterprise Solution Limited (Grandmass).  

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) held a ceremony at the IVE Chai Wan campus today (9 January) to mark the acceptance of the generous donation that included 100 seats of Open Manufacturing System (Grandmass Visual OMS Version 7.0) software, 100 seats of SQL Server Version 7.0 and 25 sets of personal computers.

Officiating at the ceremony, Mr. Raymond Ho, Member of the Legislative Council, stressed that “contrary to popular belief, manufacturing and manufacturing-related services remain a very important pillar of Hong Kong’s economy”.

“Enterprises tend to retain in Hong Kong many of the high value-added activities in the manufacturing chain, such as headquarters operation, trade, finance, product development, sales and marketing, international procurement, distribution management.  Indeed, Hong Kong is becoming a regional hub and now acts as an integrator of all these industrial activities,” he said.

He noted that the Grandmass Visual OMS is “a leading manufacturing decision support system software specially tailored for Asian manufacturers” and “an ideal software to assist enterprises in running all the high value-adding manufacturing activities”.  

The donation from Grandmass will help IVE students in the disciplines of manufacturing engineering and industrial engineering and management gain working experience in this software which also comes with a web-enabled feature allowing manufacturers to exploit the huge potential of e-commerce.

Mr. Patrick Yue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Grandmass Enterprise Solution Limited said, “Through this donation, we very much hope that students will develop a thorough understanding and mastery of the principles and skills for e-commerce, enabling them in the future not only to assist local businesses to assimilate the best Enterprise Solutions, but also to contribute to the establishment of  our web-based iOMS as the standard for e-commerce solutions in Asia.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the VTC Executive Director Prof. Lee Ngok said, “Collaborative links with manufacturing engineering services and support companies are very important to VTC for developing up-to-date and practical courses to meet the ever-changing market demand in Hong Kong.  The donation of the Open Manufacturing System Software with PCs and server worth some HK$10.32 million is one of the continual forms of industrial partnership that the VTC has been forging with leading companies.”

He added that the injection of over HK$170 million from the government for the VTC to upgrade its IT infrastructure and services for the years 2000 to 2003 would support the improvement of teaching effectiveness, students' learning and the quality of their learning experience.

“This major donation by Grandmass Enterprise Solution Limited will further enhance this and will equip our new generation of IVE students with sound computer knowledge and solid technological skills in this electronic age,” he said.

The Grandmass e-Enterprise Solution Centre, named after the Grandmass Enterprise Solution Centre to commemorate its significant contribution to IVE, was officially inaugurated after the donation ceremony when guests attending the ceremony gave the OMS software a good try.

Opening of first Chinese Cuisine Training Institute to provide comprehensive training in the Chinese culinary art

The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute, the first of its kind to nurture talents in the Chinese culinary art, was officially opened by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs. Anson Chan, today (12 December).

The Institute aims to provide systematic training in the discipline of Chinese cuisine at different levels and to strengthen Hong Kong's reputation as the "Food Capital of the East". It also seeks to establish Hong Kong as a regional training and accreditation centre by introducing trade testing for the industry.

As one of the three Millennium Projects initiated by the HKSAR Government, the project was coordinated by the Education and Manpower Bureau and implemented by the VTC, which will also oversee the daily operation of the Institute. The establishment of the Institute was completed within the past one year, making the Institute operational before the close of the millennium.

The VTC Chairman, Mr. Yeung Kai-yin, said at the ceremony that the conception of a Chinese cuisine training institute had been developing in the past few years. He thanked all the parties involved in the planning and setting up of the Institute, enabling the project to materialize within such a short time.

He said, "Today's ceremony represents another breakthrough for the VTC in providing high quality training. With an established track record in providing quality training for the hotel and catering industries through the Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre, the VTC has full confidence in establishing the Institute as an internationally recognized centre of training and trade testing for Chinese cuisine."

Ms. Annie Wu, Chairlady of the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Training Board, also took the opportunity to extend special acknowledgement to all parties supporting the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute, including members of the industry and the Training Board.

Other officiating guests of the opening ceremony were Vice-Chairman of the Training Board Mr. Michael Li and VTC Executive Director Prof. Lee Ngok.

Accompanied by Mr. Yeung Kai-yin and Ms. Annie Wu, the Chief Secretary toured the demonstration kitchen of the Institute after the ceremony and savoured the dishes cooked by Mr. Tam Zhi Bo, Master Chef from the "Great Hall of the People", and Mr. Yeung Koon Yat and Mr. Chan Tung, local renowned chefs, before the guests.

As the Hong Kong & China Gas Company Limited, the Hongkong Electric Company Limited and CLP Power Hong Kong Limited have donated sponsorship in cash and in kitchen equipment and facilities for the Institute, Mr. Yeung expressed gratitude to the companies at a plaque presentation ceremony also held today.

The ceremony ended with Prof. Lee Ngok presenting prizes to the champion of the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Logo Design Competition, Ms Wu Pik-kwan, a student of the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwun Tong) and three merit prize winners.

The logo design contest was organized for students of the VTC's Training Centres and IVE. The winning design was adapted for use as the logo of the Institute.

The Institute will provide both full-time and part-time courses for beginners and practising chefs in the industry. The level of the courses range from elementary, intermediate to advanced and master chefs. It is initially offering 275 places and will gradually increase to around 2 900 in the academic year 2001/02.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120 000 people every year through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, 20 training and development centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes.

IVE's new high-tech building to strengthen IT application in vocational education

- additional 1 000 places for courses in computing, electronics and design at the higher diploma level

A new high-tech building for the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) provides an irrefutable proof of the commitment of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to take the lead in the provision of vocational education to meet the changing needs of Hong Kong's industry and commerce.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the new wing of the Sha Tin Campus today (7 December), the VTC Chairman Mr. Yeung Kai Yin said, "The ceremony provides a good example of the hardware side of academic reform in vocational education, achieved by way of modernizing the IVE's infrastructure."

By the "software side", Mr. Yeung referred to the launch of a new, simplified IVE curriculum characterized by nine basic disciplines, with common entry requirements for both higher diploma and diploma courses which had, in large measure, been accomplished.

The new five-storey building will house the high technology element of the Sha Tin Campus. It comprises laboratories operated with an Optical Fibre based ATM network and advanced Web servers and workstations. These laboratories will provide additional facilities for the teaching of internet applications, computer networks, electronic design automation, microprocessor application and multimedia study, just to a name a few. There will also be an exhibition hall and multi-purpose rooms for student activities and displays.

Mr. Yeung added that the new wing would significantly enrich the content of the IVE's higher diplomas in computing, electronic and information engineering, business administration and design.

Prof. Lee Ngok, VTC Executive Director, said IVE, which came into being newly designed courses in 1999 and celebrated its first batch of graduates last month, has an objective "to provide high quality, cost-effective, internationally acceptable vocational education and qualifications for students, directly applicable to the requirements of Hong Kong's employers".

He said the new wing of the IVE's Sha Tin Campus represented a concrete evidence of the upgrade of IVE's infrastructure. It will enable the Sha Tin Campus to accommodate an additional 1 000 full-time students, mostly in electronic, IT and computing and design courses.

"Indeed, the completion of this new wing (next May) will truly reflect the spirit of IVE, the requirements of new technologies and an appropriate responsiveness to Hong Kong's socio-economic needs," he said.

Formerly known as the Sha Tin Technical Institute, the Sha Tin Campus together with the other six former technical institutes and two former technical colleges merged to become IVE in 1999. The Campus has since began to offer both higher diploma and higher certificate courses in addition to its normal diploma courses.

The Sha Tin Campus, designated as one of the three lead campuses of IVE, currently has an enrolment of 2 500 full-time students and 2 400 part-time students. It houses five academic departments of applied science, business administration, computing, design, and electronic and information engineering.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120 000 people every year through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, 20 training and development centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes.

IT Assistant Training Programme turns out 175 hopefuls

- Employers were happy about the performance of the recent graduates of the ITAT programme.
- The programme is now inviting applications for 30 new classes with 700 places.

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) and Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will again invite applications for the well-received IT Assistant Training Programme (ITAT) which has already trained up nearly 500 young school-leavers and unemployed people for the booming IT industry.

At today (2 December)'s ITAT Programme Graduation Ceremony, Dr. Frederick Mak, Deputy Executive Director (Training and Development) of the VTC, said that 85 per cent of the first and second batches of graduates, which was about 300 in total, had secured employment.

The Government in July decided to offer the ITAT course on a regular basis and increase the study places to 1,000 per year in the next two years to meet strong market demand.

"The ITAT Programme which is to be offered regularly will be even more enriching and flexible to meet the needs of the trainees and the industry. It will have two study modes of classroom training and web-based training," Dr. Mak said.

Initiated by the Education and Manpower Bureau and jointly offered by the VTC and ERB, the free-of-charge 10-week intensive ITAT Programme aims to provide essential IT skills training for young school-leavers and unemployed people with a view to enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.

The third batch of 175 graduates received graduation certificates today. Employers said they were satisfied with the work performance of the ITAT graduates they hired when sharing experience with the floor.

The ITAT Programme provides trainees with up-to-date practical training in basic IT skills, office and database applications, Web authoring, e-commerce, multi-media production and Intranet/Internet support.

Permanent Hong Kong residents (including new arrivals) who have completed secondary three and unemployed are eligible to apply.

The ITAT Programme is inviting applications until 15 December. Application forms are available from VTC Tower (27 Wood Road, Wanchai), ERB (Unit 1907-1912, 19/F, Miramar Tower, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui), Tsuen Wan Job Centre, Labour Department (2/F, Tsuen Wan Government Offices, 38 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan), Hong Kong YWCA (Professional and Career Youth Department (Kowloon Centre), 4/F, 5 Man Fuk Road, Homantin), Hong Kong College of Technology (Rm 707, 7/F., 113 Arglye Street, Mongkok; 3/F, Mongkok City Centre, 74-84 Sai Yeung Choi Street, Mongkok) and Hong Kong Productivity Council (6/F, Caroline Centre, 2-38 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay (Causeway Bay MTR Exit C); 1/F, HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong (Kowloon Tong MTR Exit C)).

For enquiries please call 2591 9811 or email to enquiry@itat.ittdc.org. Further information is also available at VTC's home page at www.itat.ittdc.org.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr. P.Y. Choy, Deputy Executive Director of the ERB, Mr. Anthony Au, President of the Hong Kong IT Federation and Mr. H.Y. Ip, Centre Director of the VTC's Information Technology Training and Development Centre (ITTDC).

The VTC is the Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school-leavers and working people. The ITTDC under the VTC provides high quality and market driven information technology training and services to IT and non-IT personnel of all ages.

Over 300 IVE students presented scholarships and awards valued $1.4 million

- Donation from about 100 organisations indicates recognition and strong support of the industrial and commercial sectors for vocational education 

More than 300 students from the Chai Wan, Haking Wong and Lee Wai Lee campuses of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) received scholarships and awards worth $1.4 million at the IVE Student Awards Presentation Ceremony today (2 December). 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ng Tat Lun, Deputy Chairman of the VTC, expressed his gratitude to all the generous benefactors on behalf of the Council. He said the donation from about 100 organisations indicated recognition and strong support of the industrial and commercial sectors for vocational education.

The awards also signified encouragement and patronage for the students who have outstanding performance in academic studies as well as in other areas such as extra-curricular activities, leadership and community services.

Dr. Ng also stressed the importance of " Learning for life; Learning through life", which was brought up by the Education Commission this September in its Reform Proposal for the Education System in Hong Kong. He urged the students to keep updating their knowledge to enhance creativity and actively participate in student union and extra-curricular activities. 

Addressing in his closing speech, VTC Executive Director Prof. Lee Ngok said, "The nine campuses co-operate with each other in academic activities, administration, resources allocation and extra-curricular activities and such collaboration enhances the overall cost-effectiveness." He was confident that the training provided would better suit the needs of Hong Kong.
Another officiating guest, Ms. Chan Lim Chee, Shatin District Board Councilor Athlete Affairs Manager of Hong Kong Sports Development Board, had a share of the gains in her athletic career with the students and encouraged them to work hard to make dreams come true.

Mr. Ho Kwan Lung, a fresh graduate of IVE (CW) and outstanding athlete who represented Hong Kong in the 4 x 100 m Relay in the Sydney Olympic Games as well as past scholarship recipient, also shared feelings and aspirations with fellow students and guests during the ceremony.

Miss Ng Wai Fong and Miss Ho Wai Man, both final year students in Higher Diploma of Pharmaceutical Technology and Manufacturing Engineering of IVE (Chai Wan), were presented the "Outstanding Student Award" for their prominent performance in academic achievement and contribution to the Institute.

IVE is a merger of the two former technical colleges and seven former technical institutes under the VTC. The institution is entrusted with the Council's mission of providing high quality vocational education and training which is directly applicable to the requirement of Hong Kong's employers and the community.

VTC confers awards on 12,000 graduates at its second IVE Graduation Ceremony

- High employment rate of VTC graduates reflects wide recognition of employers towards qualifications conferred by the VTC, said Secretary for Education and Manpower
- 83% Higher Diploma graduates had found jobs, while 80% graduates of the first-ever Foundation Diploma course had acquired a sufficient standard for pursing higher education 


The Vocational Training Council (VTC) conferred academic awards on 12,000 graduates on 26 November at its "Second Graduation Ceremony of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE)" held at the Hong Kong Coliseum and presided over by the Secretary for Education and Manpower Mrs. Fanny Law.

Addressing in the afternoon session, Mrs. Law said the VTC, as a major provider of vocational education, would play an important role in the future development of tertiary education. "I expect the VTC would consider offering tertiary vocational courses on a full-recovery basis in order to enlarge the scope of service and the VTC's contribution to the education sector," she said.

Regarding students' concerns over the status of VTC graduates, she stressed that the reputation of an education institution depended on the quality of its courses and performance of the graduates. As the VTC graduates have all along enjoyed high employment rate, this reflects the recognition of employers towards the awards conferred by the Council. She also took the opportunity to encourage the graduates to work hard with the vocational education imparted to them by the IVE. 

Speaking at the ceremony, VTC Chairman Mr. Yeung Kai-yin recited the progress and results of a series of academic and administrative reform programmes over the past years. An employment survey showed that 83% of Higher Diploma students graduating this year had secured jobs, compared with only 76% last year. 70% of full-time Diploma and Certificate graduates were employed as opposed to only 59% last year. These reflected that "Employers showed a high level of approval to the current content and level of vocational education and training we provide," he said.

He also disclosed the handsome dividends of the first-ever one-year Foundation Diploma course launched last year for Secondary 5 leavers who did not attain five passes in the HKCEE. The course equipped the students with both generic and specific skills for employment or further study. 

"Amongst the first batch of 1,560 graduates, some 80% attained a standard that is sufficient for them to be admitted into Diploma and Higher Diploma courses, thereby demonstrating the VTC's ability to provide an alternative route to higher education. Of the remaining 20%, three quarters have found jobs, which demonstrates the usefulness and efficacy of this highly focused form of remedial education," he noted.

Mr. Yeung continued to speak about the Council's latest developments including the five-storey new wing of Sha Tin campus which would accommodate an additional 1,000 full-time students and represent the modernization of IVE's IT infrastructure to improve the quality, efficacy and output of vocational education.

He remarked that the administrative reforms introduced over the past two years were beginning to make the VTC a more cost-effective and more flexible provider of education services. "The administrative reforms have culminated in the execution in June this year, of a Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements between the Government and the VTC," he said," The government has begun to recognize that VTC, as an instrument of economic and social policy, must have the resources, as well as the freedom to deploy those resources, in order to meet the changing patterns of demand for skills in the labour market."

In his address, VTC's Executive Director Professor Lee Ngok, reiterated VTC's efforts in responding to the demands of the Government and community. 

To cater for the needs of employers and the community, IVE is offering new Higher Diploma and Diploma courses in web-based technology for business, e-enterprise and management, and global and electronic business operations within VTC's own resources. All its sub-degree courses have been redesigned, 72 of which are IT related and 45 have rich IT content. In response to the concern about language skills, IVE also aims at setting up a Vocational English Centre in conjunction with the Hong Kong Vocational English Programme to improve the language skills of Hong Kong's workforce.

Academic awards ranging from associateship, higher diploma, higher certificate, diploma and certificate were presented to around 12,000 full-time and part-time students in two sessions.

The VTC is a statutory body established in 1982 with the mission of providing a comprehensive system of technical education and training best suited to the developing needs of Hong Kong. It established and maintains, under its ordinance, institutions for the provision of technical education, industrial training and skills training. IVE, an education unit of the VTC, was set up in 1999 through the merging of the two former technical colleges and seven technical institutes. The VTC also operates over twenty training, developing and skills centres, and administers the apprenticeship and other training schemes.

VTC urges employers to support manpower surveys for Banking & Finance Industry and Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades


The Vocational Training Council (VTC) reminds employers in the banking and finance industry and wholesale/retail and import/export trades that officers of the Census and Statistics Department may visit them during the period from 22 November to 30 December for industry-wide manpower surveys. Employers are urged to supply up-to-date manpower and training information.

The comprehensive surveys are carried out every two years by the Banking and Finance Industry Training Board and the Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades Training Board of the VTC to evaluate the current manpower situation.

Questionnaires and explanatory notes in both English and Chinese have been sent to the sampled companies. Employers are requested to provide relevant information such as the number of employees, the number of existing vacancies, a forecast of total employees and information on training, staff turnover and so on.

As the information to be collected is important for the Training Boards to formulate effective manpower training plans to meet the changing needs of the respective sectors, it is hoped that the companies covered in the surveys will co-operate by supplying accurate information.

Officers of the Census and Statistics Department will visit each of the selected companies to assist them in completing the questionnaires.

The information collected will be handled in strict confidence and published only in the form of statistical summaries without reference to any individual company.

Under the VTC, there are 19 training boards responsible for determining the manpower needs of the trades and providing training to meet their needs.

VTC to hold seminar on China's accession to WTO

- Veterans of import/export trades to explore the impact on manpower and business

The Vocational Training Council (VTC)'s Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades Training Board is inviting in-service personnel to attend the first-ever "Seminar on China's Accession to WTO - Impact on Import/Export Manpower and Business Opportunity" to be held on 14 November (Tuesday), 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The venue is Sung Room, 4/F., Sheraton Hotel, Kowloon.

Mr. Michael Tien, Chairman of the Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades Training Board, will deliver the opening speech. Other officiating guests include VTC's Executive Director Prof. Lee Ngok.

Five hot topics will be explored in the seminar. They are "The Possible Trade Opportunities for Hong Kong" by Mr. Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Hong Kong Exporters' Association, "The Impact on the Local Textile Industry" by the Hon. Mrs. Sophie Leung Lau Yau-fun, and "Seizing Trade Opportunities" by Mr. Edward Yau, Acting Director-General of Trade and Industry.

Mr. Stanley Lau, Vice President of Hong Kong Young Industrialists Council and President of Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association will deliver a speech on "The Impact on the Clock and Watch Industry", and Mr. Kenny Ku, Honorary Vice President of the Hong Kong Chamber of Small and Medium Business, will speak on "The Implications for the Future of SMEs".

The fee is $110 per person. Seats are limited. Registration is accepted on a first-come first-served basis. For registration and enquiry, please contact Mr. T.M. Ma on 2836 1714.

The seminar is co-organised with the Hong Kong Exporters' Association. Media coverage is also invited.

The Wholesale/Retail and Import/Export Trades Training Board is one of the 19 training boards under the VTC. It is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the trades and providing training to meet their needs.

Six vehicle apprentices shine at VTC's Best Apprentice Competition

Recognizing the role and importance of the vehicle technicians in maintaining and enhancing vehicle maintenance standard, the Government has set up a working group to study the issue of registration of vehicle mechanics, said the Commissioner for Transport Mr. Robert Footman at the Prize Presentation Ceremony of the 2000 Best Apprentice Competition organized by the Vocational Training Council on 2 November.

The Automobile Training Board of the Vocational Training Council welcomes the move. It is in support of the introduction of statutory requirements on the registration of automobile repair workers for the purpose of raising the standard of work quality, and enhancing environmental protection and public safety.

In his capacity as Chairman of the Training Board, Mr. Yip Moon-tong said at the ceremony: "I believe that the most effective way to tackle pollution problem is to strengthen the efforts in vehicle maintenance and repair and enhance the work quality of in-service personnel."

The Competition organized annually since 1986 to promote the importance of proper training and to commend outstanding apprentices is among one of the continuous efforts of the Training Board to meet the industry's demand for properly trained manpower.

The Competition was divided into vehicle electrician and vehicle mechanic trades. Six vehicle electrician and eight vehicle mechanic and apprentices selected from 108 contestants from 11 companies were tested on their practical skills today. 

In the Vehicle Electrician Trade category, all three winners were from Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. Mr. Fu Man-hon won the championship, Mr. Mok Kwok-yeung the first runner-up and Mr. Ma Wai-shing the second runner-up.

Mr. Chow Chung-lam also from KMB won the championship in the Vehicle Mechanic Trade category. The first and second runners-up went to Mr. Leung Chun-cheong (BMW Concessionaires (HK) Ltd) and Mr. Lam Hoi (Dah Chong Hong (M.S.C.) Ltd) respectively.

They received from Mr. Footman fabulous prizes that include five-day study trips to Japan.

Mr. Footman praised the marked success of the competition in upgrading the technical skills and standard of the apprentices in automobile servicing and developing outstanding young vehicle technicians for the community.

He said in view of the public concern about environmental protection in Hong Kong, the Government has been introducing various measures to improve vehicle emissions, such as the replacement of diesel taxis by LPG taxis, trial operation of LPG public light buses, installation of particulate traps on diesel light goods vehicles and tightening of vehicle emission standards.

Mr. Yip said the VTC had been providing various training courses such as LPG Vehicle Servicing and Emission Control courses in line with the Government's measures.

Speaking on the Apprenticeship Scheme, Mr. Yip said, "Manpower training is crucial to providing quality vehicle maintenance craftsmen. That explains why for many years, the apprenticeship scheme has been welcomed by employers."

Also present at the ceremony were Professor Lee Ngok, Executive Director of the VTC, and representatives of sponsors. The Competition were supported by Service Managers Association, Motor Traders Association of Hong Kong, Shell Hong Kong Ltd., The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd., Hong Kong Vehicle Repair Merchants Association Ltd., and the Hong Kong School of Motoring Ltd.

The Automobile Training Board, one of the 19 training boards under the VTC, is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the industry and make recommendations to meet the training requirements.

Plans for VTC's well-received Proficiency Certificate Programme in Property Management to link up with tertiary education institutions

- The programme responding to Hong Kong's increasing demand for quality property management services is well-received. More classes will be offered to meet industry needs.

The Real Estates Services Training Board of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is actively discussing with the education institutions for inclusion of its Proficiency Certificate Programme in Property Management as a pre-requisite for their professional courses to enable the graduates to further their studies.

It was disclosed today (27 October) by the Training Board at the Programme's Graduation Ceremony. Twenty-six in-service property management personnel were awarded certificates.

"In view of the success of the first two classes, the Training Board believes that there is tremendous demand for fundamental training in property management. Another class will thus be offered in November. More subjects such as computerized domestic services and management of facilities will be included in the course so as to match the development of the industry," said Mr Stephen Yuen, Real Estate Services Training Board Member and Convenor of the Training Board's Working Party on Training Courses.

Mr Yuen and Mr Tony Chan, Vice Chairman of the Training Board attended the Graduation Ceremony and presented graduation certificates to the graduates.

The five-month programme aims to improve the skills and knowledge of in-service supervisory property management personnel. It covers subjects of principles of law, property management, building repair and maintenance, quality services and supervisory skills.
2/…
Set up in 1998, the Real Estate Services Training Board of the Vocational Training Council is responsible for determining the manpower situation and training needs in the real estate services industry. Since then, it has conducted Hong Kong's first manpower survey of the real estate services industry and offered the Train the Trainers for the Real Estate Agents Course, the Estate Agents Training Course, the Estate Salespersons Training Course and the Proficiency Certificate Programme in Property Management. Besides, it has organized a number of seminars and exhibitions.

The Training Board will conduct the second manpower survey of the real estate services industry in January next year. The data collected will be used by the industry in planning its future training facilities.

Companies wishing to acquire new technology training invited to Free Seminar on VTC's New Technology Training Scheme


Employers wishing know more about the financial assistance and range of courses available for training up their employees in new technologies are urged to attend the "Seminar on New Technology Training Scheme" organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC)'s Sub-Committee on Training in New Technologies on 28 October (Saturday), 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Admission is free.

"The objectives of the seminar are to promote the New Technology Training Scheme (NTTS), and to disseminate information on training courses in new technologies available locally to local companies. It also provides a forum for participants to discuss their training needs with the course providers," said a spokesman for the VTC.

Course providers participating in the NTTS will be invited to the seminar. They are the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Productivity Council, Hong Kong Food Council, Hong Kong Institute of Biotechnology Limited, Occupational Safety and Health Council, Learning Tree International and Association for Computing Machinery.

Dr. T. L. Ng, VTC Deputy Chairman and Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Training in New Technologies, will open the seminar.

The venue is Assembly Hall, G/F., Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Morrison Hill), 6 Oi Kwan Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong. The deadline for registration is 26 October. For registration and enquiries, please contact Mr. Freddy Leung, Secretary of Sub-Committee on Training in New Technologies, on 2836 1702.

The New Technology Training Scheme (NTTS) aims to provide financial assistance to companies in Hong Kong that intend to have their staff trained locally or overseas in new technologies which would be useful to their business. The NTTS is funded by the interest generated from the New Technology Training Fund. The training grant can be up to 75% of the total training cost incurred. No upper limit is imposed.

In the context of the scheme, new technologies include those which are new or not widely applied in Hong Kong and the absorption and application of which will significantly benefit Hong Kong.

Since the launch of the Scheme in 1992, over 8 900 applications for training grants have been approved. The applications cover training in a diverse range of technological subjects such as information technology, e-commerce, plastics, metals, electronics, environmental and food technology. Some examples of training courses approved are developing electronic commerce applications in XML, computer game design and 3D game programming, electronic packaging, product design and improvement, food safety technique and knowledge management.

The largest training and education provider in Hong Kong, the Vocational Training Council operates a variety of training schemes including New Technology Training Scheme, Engineering Graduate Training Scheme, Apprenticeship Scheme and Professional Development Scheme.

Demand for quality infrastructure boosts electrical and mechanical services industry

The electrical and mechanical services industry is expected to grow and maintain a steady demand for well-trained technical manpower with the progressive development of infrastructure projects, residential buildings and LPG vehicles, according to a manpower survey conducted by the Vocational Training Council (VTC).

The 1999 Manpower Survey on the Electrical and Mechanical Services Industry was conducted by the VTC's Electrical and Mechanical Services Training Board to collect the latest manpower information on the industry.

At the time of the survey, there were 59 483 workers employed in the principal jobs of electrical/mechanical engineering and related disciplines of the electrical and mechanical services industry in Hong Kong. Of these 59 483 workers, 54 814 workers were employed in the electrical sector, 2 849 workers in the shipbuilding and ship repair sector, and 1 820 workers in the gas sector.

The survey revealed that the electrical sector had an average increase of 2 per cent per annum in the overall manpower of electrical/mechanical engineering and related disciplines from 1997 to 1999. 

"In view of the expansion of the infrastructure projects and the continuous growth of the residential buildings, the training board anticipates that there will be a steady demand on technical manpower in this sector. As the industry is keeping quality up, the high demand for technicians will persist," a spokesman for the training board said.

For the years 2000 to 2003, the electrical sector's average annual training requirement will be 120-140 professionals/technologists, 1 030-1 250 technicians and 1 290-1 570 tradesmen/craftsmen.

The training board expects that the gas sector will have a steady increase in the demand for technical manpower arising from the increase in residential buildings and expanding number of LPG vehicles. Employers interviewed in the survey forecast that 14-18 professionals/technologists, 19-23 technicians and 47-57 tradesmen/craftsmen would be required by the gas sector annually between 2000 and 2003.

The shipbuilding and ship repair sector only has a small annual training demand of 25 technicians to cover wastage, owing to a downturn in the industry.

"In view of the continuous growth of the electrical and mechanical services industry which results in the need for more skilled workers, the training board urges employers to provide proper on-the-job training, job enrichment and attractive compensation packages to retain, develop and upgrade their workforce," the spokesman said.

"Furthermore, employers are encouraged to follow the Government's lead by sponsoring their workers to take relevant trade tests and intermediate trade tests."

The "1999 Manpower Survey Report on the Electrical and Mechanical Services Industry" is now available for sale ($39 per copy) at the Government Publications Centre, Low Block, Ground Floor, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong. Most of the contents of the report can also be downloaded from the VTC's website (www.vtc.edu.hk/it/emtb/mps_index.html).

IVE boosts child care places to echo education reform in Policy Address

In support of the Government's commitment to improve pre-school education outlined in the Chief Executive's Policy Address, the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Lee Wai Lee) of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) promptly increases a total of 140 places for its one-year full-time "Certificate Course in Child Care". The pre-service training course is now open to applications.

Explaining the move, a spokesman for the VTC said, "To enhance the quality of pre-school education, the Government proposed to improve the teacher-student ratio and to make it a requirement that all newly-appointed kindergarten teachers must have completed at least one year of pre-service training from the 2003/04 school year onwards. To tie in with this new initiative, the Lee Wai Lee campus, which has a twenty-year history of offering pre-school teacher education, will expand its course provision to meet the increasing training needs."

He further encouraged those Secondary 5 school leavers who enjoy working with children to grasp the opportunity to undertake the pre-service training offered by the Lee Wai Lee campus and join the meaningful and well-paid career of early childhood educators.

The "Certificate Course in Child Care" offered by the Child Care Department of IVE (Lee Wai Lee) is due to commence on 6 November 2000. The basic entrance requirements are five subjects at Grade E or above in the HKCEE, including English Language (Syllabus B) and Chinese Language/Chinese Literature.

The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and technical skills necessary for them to become competent, responsible and effective child care workers or kindergarten teachers.

The curriculum includes child growth and development, psycho-social aspects of development, early childhood education, play activities, pre-school curriculum studies, care of the young child, communication studies and projects. Students will also be arranged to undertake practical training at kindergartens and child care centres.

Graduates may become Registered Child Care Workers under the Child Care Centres Ordinance or Qualified Kindergarten Teachers under the Education Ordinance. Those interested in working for children with special needs can become Special Child Care Workers, Residential Child Care Workers, Integrative Child Care Workers or Integrative Kindergarten Teachers.

The Lee Wai Lee Campus is one of Hong Kong's major institutions and the only one among the nine IVE campuses that offers training to young people interested in making a career in early childhood education and those currently in employment. Formerly known as the Lee Wai Lee Technical Institute, it has since 1980 turned out thousands of graduates who are contributing to the development of quality education for pre-school children in Hong Kong. The employment rate of its child care graduates is well above 90% every year.

The deadline for applying the "Certificate Course in Child Care" is 24 October 2000. Details and application forms can be obtained from the IVE (Lee Wai Lee) (30 Renfrew Road, Kowloon Tong). For enquiries, please contact the campus direct (Tel: 2338 3611, Fax: 2336 3459, email: lwlti@vtc.edu.hk).

IVE is a merger of the two former technical colleges and seven former technical institutes under the Vocational Training Council. The institution is entrusted with the Council's mission of providing high quality vocational education and training which is directly applicable to the requirement of Hong Kong's employers and the community.

VTC's Symposium to explore the impact of the Internet in public relations and advertising

- top agency executives and senior management from Internet companies to share their insights and experiences


The Vocational Training Council (VTC)'s Mass Communications Training Board will host the first-ever "Symposium on e-Communication - The Impact of the Internet in Public Relations and Advertising" on 27 October (Friday) to provide a venue for the public relations and advertising community to discuss related issues.

Co-organised by the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Advertisers Association and Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals' Association, the one-day symposium will be held at the Ballroom, Regal Hotel, Causeway Bay.

Professor Lee Ngok, the Executive Director of VTC, will officiate at the opening ceremony of the symposium. Speakers and panelists of the morning session are experienced personnel of the advertising industry, including Mr Archie Man, Managing Director of MDR, Mr Simon Lai, Director of MDR, Ms Kitty Lun, Managing Director of miclub.com Limited, Ms Libra Tsui, General Manager of Adxplorer (HK) Pte. Ltd and Mr Kenny Wong, General Manager of Beyond Interactive.

Mr Anthony Lau, Senior Advertising and Sponsorship Manager of the Group Public Affairs Department, HSBC, will be the moderator of the panel discussion. 

During the lunch break, The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents of Hong Kong will present a showreel of several outstanding advertisements featuring the Internet companies. Mr Paul Chan, Executive Creative Director of BBDO will chair the discussion.

The afternoon session will focus on topics such as "Building e-brands at internet speed" and "e-Education in the new communication era". Speakers include Ms Clara Shek, Manager Director of the Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, and Mr Charles Huang, Chief Executive Officer of NetBig.com Holding Limited. Panel discussion will be moderated by Dr Saimond Ip, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 36.com Holdings Limited, and Ms Linda Tsui, Assistant Professor of Public Relation/Advertising Department of Communication Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University.

The symposium is now open for registration. The registration fee is $400 (including lunch). Members of the organising associations will enjoy a 50% discount. For enquiries or registration, please contact Mr T.M. Ma, Secretary of the Mass Communications Training Board, VTC (Tel. 2836 1714). 

Best young beautician selected in HK Youth Skill Competition

The first Youth Skill Competition in Beauty Care, organized by the Vocational Training Council (VTC), concluded successfully. Miss Mang Chiu-kwan, Miss Ho Yee-wah and Miss Ng Pui-pui showed their talents and were awarded the champion, first runner-up and second runner-up of this first beauty care contest respectively.

While congratulating and presenting prizes to the winners on their outstanding performances, Executive Director of the VTC, Professor Lee encouraged other young beauty care professionals to keep on upgrading themselves by learning the skills and experiences from the experts in the industry.

The beauty care contest has been launched by the Vocational Training Council with the help of leading industry experts in Hong Kong, to enhance the flow of new information technologies in the trade and meet the increasing demand for skilled practitioners with professional training and qualifications.

There were altogether ten finalists taking part in the two-day final contest on 7 and 8 October after a preliminary written test and semi-final practical skill test in which 36 young beauty care professionals aged below 25 had participated.

The winners of the two-day final competition demonstrated outstanding and all-round competency in beauty care ranging from evening and fantasy make-up, facial, back-care, waxing to manicure skills. 

The champion was awarded a cash prize of $10,000, a training scholarship in Japan or beauty care products of $50,000 and beauty care equipment. The first and second runners-up were presented a cash prize of $6,000 and $4,000 respectively and beauty care equipment.

Mrs Christine Fung, Director of Education, Esther Beauty & Fitness College, Expert in Beauty Care, the 35th World Skill Competition, Convener of Judging Panel, the First Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition in Beauty Care; and Ms Frederique Deleage, Founder and Managing Director, Frederique Holistic Health and Beauty Group in Hong Kong also officiated at the ceremony.

Beauty care is one among the 21 trades included in the biennial multi-disciplinary Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition jointly organized by the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Training Authority, the Clothing Industry Training Authority and the Industrial Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Selected winners will represent Hong Kong at the World Skills Competition to be held in Seoul, Korea in 2001.

Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 kicked off with first industry-wide beauty care competition

The Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 was officially opened today (7 Oct) with a demonstration of latest and outstanding make-up techniques and trends by young beauty care professionals who took part in the first Beauty Care Competition in Hong Kong organized by the Vocational Training Council.

The biennial multi-disciplinary Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition, held for the third time, is jointly organized by the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Training Authority, the Clothing Industry Training Authority and the Industrial Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Officiating at today's (7 Oct) opening ceremony, Dr. T. L. Ng, Chairman of Standing Committee on the Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition, said the Competition aims to strengthen the awareness of young people of the vital importance of skills development and life-long learning for self advancement in the rapidly changing working world.

The trades of the Competition have increased to 21 this year with the Beauty Care contest being held for the first time, said Dr. Ng. 

"We hope to get the support of more sponsors and to hold more contests, so to encourage more young people to develop professional skills to attain good prospects and employment opportunities," he said.

The two-day Beauty Care contest, which commenced today with Evening Make-up and Fantasy Make-up skill tests, is held to enhance the flow of new information technologies in the trade and meet the increasing demand for skilled practitioners with professional training. The competition is judged by a distinguished panel of judges which includes leading figures of Hong Kong's beauty care industry.

Comprising facial, back-care, waxing and manicure skill tests, the contest reflects the latest and outstanding techniques, presentations, expressions and trends of young Hong Kong beauty care professionals aged below 25. Winners will be presented prizes tomorrow ( 8 Oct ) after the "Make-up Contest by Artists", a special event to conclude the competition.

Apart from beauty care, the Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition has 20 other trade contests: automobile technology, CNC milling, CNC turning, commercial wiring, western cooking, fitting, graphic design, industrial electronics, information technology, PC & network supporter, jewellery, ladies' dressmaking, ladies' hairdressing, mechanical engineering drawing and design CADD, mechatronics, painting & decorating, plumbing, refrigeration technique as well as wall & floor tiling and welding.

Selected winners of the Competition will represent Hong Kong at the 36th World Skills Competition to be held in Seoul, Korea in 2001 and receive special training for the purpose.

Officiating guests at today's opening ceremony also included Professor Lee Ngok, Executive Director of the Vocational Training Council; Mr. Albert Tong, Executive Director of the Construction Industry Training Authority; Mr. Alan Li, Executive Director of the Clothing Industry Training Authority; and Dr. Chris Wong, Director of Industrial Centre, Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Mrs. Christine Fung, Director of Education, Esther Beauty & Fitness College, Expert in Beauty Care, the 35th World Skill Competition, Convener of Judging Panel, the First Youth Skill Competition in Beauty Care; and Ms. Cheng Ming-ming, Chairman, Monita International Group, President of CIDESCO International (Hong Kong Section), Member of Judging Panel, the First Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition in Beauty Care, gave their professional opinions at the ceremony.

Special guests from the beauty care sector also included Ms. Tamiko Maeno, representative of Yamano University of Aesthetics, Japan.

Mr. Chan Chun-wai, Gold Medalist (PC and Network Supporter) of the 35th World Skills Competition in Montreal, Canada 1999, who was the first Hong Kong youth to strike gold in the World Skills Competition, shared his fruitful experience at the ceremony.

Organized by the International Vocational Training Organization, the biennial World Skills Competition provide young tradespeople worldwide a unique forum of exchange and comparison of competency standards in technical skills in their respective trades. Hong Kong took part in the world competition twice and gained excellent results including a World Champion Gold Medal in PC and network supporter in 1999 and Bronze Medals in ladies' dressmaking, information technology and jewellery in 1997.

New VTC Centre to promote development of product design and tooling technology


To provide much needed and up-to-date training in product design and tooling development for Hong Kong's manufacturing industry, the Vocational Training Council has recently set up a new Plastics and Tooling Technology Development Centre by merging its Plastics Industry Training Centre and Precision Tooling Training Centre.

In line with the Government's determination further to develop Hong Kong as a focus for innovative and creative design, the new Centre aims to provide training services to a wider scope of industries, including plastics, metals, toys, tooling, jewellery, electrical appliance, watches and clocks, optical products, electronics products, metal parts, automative parts and telecommunication equipment. The areas of training also will encompass plastics product design and development, tooling, CAD/CAM/CAE, precision machining, processing, and product and quality management.

A new Product Design and Rapid Prototyping Unit within the Centre will provide training and support services for these industries. The other six units within the Centre are Precision Plastics Tooling, Precision Metal Tooling, Precision Machining, CAD/CAM/CAE, Plastics Technology and Foundation Technology Training.

Among the range of training services provided by the Centre are pre-employment training, skills upgrading, training of engineering graduates and students, tailor-made training programmes for employers, in-service seminars and workshops, self-learning activities and continuous professional development courses.

In order to set standards for skilled workers, the Centre will also implement an effective trade testing system for the various trade skills of the industry.

The Plastics and Tooling Technology Development Centre, together with the VTC's other 19 training and development centres, provide training to meet the needs of their respective economic sectors. In addition, the VTC operates the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, which comprises nine vocational institutions, and administers the Apprenticeship Scheme and other training schemes. The VTC is the territory's biggest vocational education organization, providing job-related training and education to more than 120,000 people every year.

Hong Kong's textiles and clothing industry maintains leading position

Along with the continuing relocation of manufacturing facilities to southern China and the nearby Asian countries, Hong Kong has established a good name as an important production control and sourcing centre for textile, clothing, footwear and handbags in the region, according to the Textile and Clothing Training Board of the Vocational Training Council.

The Training Board Chairman, Mr. Andrew Leung said, "The Training Board is optimistic about the future of the industries. In view of the Sino-US agreement on China's WTO accession, the eventual granting of normal trade relationship status to the mainland will eliminate the annual uncertainties, this will enable the continuous development of the Hong Kong's textile, clothing and footwear and handbag industries."

The Training Board therefore believes that there will be a consistent demand for technologists and technicians to carry out the merchandising and production coordination functions to support the large-scale production outside Hong Kong.

The Training Board released today (28 September) the 1999 findings of its first joint manpower survey of the textile, clothing, footwear and handbag industries, which also for the first time covered their related trading and servicing sectors. The figures show that a total of 54 258 and 49 663 workers were employed, respectively, in the manufacturing and the trading and servicing sectors of the industries.

The survey found that the workforce of the manufacturing sectors of the textile, clothing, footwear and handbag industries have double-digit decline. The annual drop rates were 13.1%, 14.7% and 29.4%, respectively, since the last surveys in 1997.

The Training Board considers that the manpower contraction can be attributed to a slow down of the major exports markets in the past two years, strong competition from developing countries, and the improved Outward Processing Arrangement (OPA) procedures, resulting in the greater flexibility for clothing component parts to be manufactured outside Hong Kong.

The reduction was also partly owing to the gradual migration of technical personnel from the manufacturing sector to the trading sector, which requires more technical manpower for high value-added products, and the unattractiveness of the industries to new entrants.

The report also noted that ageing was a problem in the manufacturing sectors of the industries. In the footwear and handbag industries, some 45% of the employees were over the age of 50. The respective figures for the textile and clothing industries were 22% and 15%.

The Training Board, however, advises that the overall manpower decline over the past few years should not be viewed as a threat, but rather as an opportunity for industry to consolidate and further enhance productivity. It suggests that to maintain their competitiveness, manufacturers should invest not only in plant and machinery, but also in manpower training at higher skill levels in Hong Kong.

The Training Board further recommends that the annual training requirements for the textile, clothing, and footwear and handbag industries as a whole should be 451 to 551 technologists and 2 580 to 3 153 technicians.

Finally, it urges employers to make use of the part-time courses offered by the Department of Fashion and Textiles of the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, the VTC's Textile Industry Training Centre, the Clothing Industry Training Authority and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to upgrade their workforce.

The 1999 Manpower Survey Report of the Textile, Clothing, Footwear and Handbag Industries is now on sale at HK$70 per copy at the Government Publications Centre, Ground Floor, Lower Block, Queensway Government Offices, 66 Queensway, Hong Kong.

The Textile and Clothing Training Board is one of the VTC's 19 training boards and is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the industry and making recommendations to meet its training requirements.

Car maintenance industry sets a higher standard for workforce

The local automobile industry's demand for technical manpower, particularly at higher skill levels, is projected to remain constant, according to a recent survey conducted by the Automobile Training Board of the Vocational Training Council.

The survey reveals that the workforce of the industry in March 2000 was 13 044, slightly down by 322 persons against the 1998 figure.

Analyzed by the type of skill, the number of technologists has increased from 264 to 282, at an average annual rate of 3.4%, and technicians from 1 132 to 1 597 (18.8%). On the other hand, the number of craftsmen has decreased by 4% annually from 10 869 to 10 014.

The report explained that the job title of "foreman" at craft level included in the 1998 survey has been deleted in 2000 and some of those workers who carried out supervisory duties were then classified under the job title "service supervisor" and other similar titles at technician level. After discounting the effect of change of job titles, the Training Board estimated that the annual growth rate for technicians should likely be 8.7% and the annual decline rate for craftsmen 2.8%.

It was also noted that contrary to the decrease of craftsmen which was the main constituent of vehicle maintenance workforce, the vehicle population recorded a mild increase of about 1% since the last survey in 1998. The Training Board believed that the fall in the number of craftsmen against the increase of technicians and technologists could be attributed to the reduced demand for maintenance and repairs. This was brought about by advances in vehicle technology and the more competitive pricing of new and more reliable vehicles.

Several other factors were also cited in the report, including the adoption of new technologies and equipment in the repair of vehicles, and introduction of tighter road regulations making drivers drive more carefully.

The Training Board believes that the demand for vehicle workers at craftsman level will continue to decline, but at a moderate rate while those at technician and technologist levels will grow moderately. It estimated that the annual training requirement of technologists will be 18, technicians 74 and craftsmen 337.

On the manpower supply side, the report noted that the VTC offers matching training. Its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education is the only institution offering a diploma level course in automotive engineering. It also runs advanced courses for those in-service. The VTC's Automobile Industry Training Centre will also supply graduates from its technician foundation course and basic craft course. 

In addition, the Industrial Training Division of the VTC offers free services to help employers set up training scheme for their craftsman and technician apprentices.

The report containing the analysis of the 2000 survey is now available for access and downloading through the VTC website (Address: http://www.vtc.edu.hk/it/autb/toc.htm).

The Automobile Training Board is one of the VTC's 19 training boards and is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the industry and making recommendations to meet the training requirements.

MDC promotes E-learning by offering more than 300 on-line business and management training programmes

- Partnership with leading international web-based learning content provider enhances MDC's profile as a total e-learning solution provider.

The Management Development Centre of Hong Kong (MDC) has launched more than 300 on-line business and management training programmes, targeted at employees at different levels. Learners can take any subject from the list, and make use of the built-in mechanism to evaluate continuously their progress, and hence to modify the course structure to tailor-suit their learning interest, pattern and progress.

The programmes are jointly promoted by MDC and SkillSoft, one of the leading international web-based content providers. According to Mr. Robin Wong, Centre Director of the MDC, the programmes have the great advantage of enabling learners to arrange their study time more flexibly.

"Learners can take their classes at any time and any place through e-learning. This will save their transportation time and cost from getting to the classrooms", said Mr. Wong.

He remarked that, "Learners are more and more reluctant to leave the workplace for training owing to work, community or family constraints. They want access to learning resources that can be applied instantly and are recognised. The web is making dramatic changes to the delivery of learning, enabling learners to manipulate and participate in their learning programmes in a flexible, active, timely and convenient way."

MDC introduced the programmes to local executives at a seminar entitled "e-learning: Revolution or Evolution?" held today. Mr. Wong and Mr. John Catlin, Managing Director, Asia-Pacific of SkillSoft, highlighted the prevailing trend, expected benefits and potential obstacles of e-learning in the seminar.

Mr. Catlin said the lack of available computer infrastructure and reservation about its effectiveness would hinder companies from implementing e-learning. Therefore, good planning and intensive marketing to promote the distinct advantages of e-learning to all staff and ask for their feedback was very critical.

"While e-learning will gradually replace traditional classroom teaching, companies could adopt both learning methods in the transitional period. The employees will get some basic theoretical training via e-learning, and then attend classes to learn the application of the theories," recommended by the two experts.

The programmes covered by the MDC-SkillSoft partnership include e-learning, management, leadership, team building, communication, personal development, project management, customer service, finance/accounting, marketing, strategic planning, e-business, sales, industry, human resources, knowledge management, operations, administrative support, business law, financial services, etc. For details, please visit MDC's web site: www.mdchk.com.

The MDC was established by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) in 1984. Its mission is to develop, promote and extend managerial effectiveness. Apart from joining forces with leading companies in private sector, MDC also collaborates with education and training bodies and with professional associations in the design and provision of management development programmes and learning products for all Hong Kong businesses.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120,000 people every year through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (a merger of the VTC's former two technical colleges and seven technical institutes), 20 training and development centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes.

VTC extends the scope of its popular Professional Development Scheme for the Insurance Industry

- New expanded courses for the Professional Development Scheme for the Insurance Industry will commence in September.


The well-received Professional Development Scheme for the Insurance Industry will extend its scope to cover both the General Insurance and Life Insurance Sectors.

New modules commence in September are now inviting applications. Chairman of the Vocational Training Council's Insurance Training Board, Mr. Tony Mak, encouraged insurance staff and agents at all levels and of any education standard to seize the opportunity to upgrade themselves in the highly competitive insurance industry.

In a briefing session held today to introduce the objectives and details of the Professional Development Scheme, Mr. Mak said, "Hong Kong's insurance industry is growing rapidly. The Insurance Intermediaries Quality Assurance Scheme launched by the Insurance Authority warrants that insurance practitioners have to learn continuously. We hope the Professional Development Scheme can play a part in the continuous learning process of insurance practitioners".

The Scheme was developed and launched by the Insurance Training Board in September 1999 to assist insurance practitioners to acquire professional qualifications. Initially, the modules focused more on the General Insurance Sector. The overwhelming response from the industry prompted the Training Board to provide modules covering the Life Insurance Sector as well.

In today's briefing session, Mr. Elex Chan, Vice-Chairman of the Insurance Training Board and Convenor of the Working Party on Traineeship Scheme, and Mr. O. F. Leung, Member of the Insurance Training Board and Convenor of the Working Party on Professional Development Scheme for the Life Insurance Sector, explained the details of the expanded Scheme.

Both Schemes for the General Insurance Sector and the Life Insurance Sector provide theoretical training, and operate in a flexible modular approach. A Statement of Result for the module will be awarded to students attending 80% of the classes and achieving 50% of the overall score in each module. Upon satisfactory completion of all modules, students will receive a Continuing Development Certificate in Insurance.

Successful completion of all modules in the Scheme for the General Insurance Sector will further exempt the student from the AII Certificate III modules (9 subjects) or Certificate in Insurance Practice modules (6 subjects).

The Scheme for the General Insurance Sector comprises 17 modules, each lasting for 30 or 45 hours. The following modules will be available in September: Chinese Communication and Report Writing, English Communication and Report Writing, Insurance Underwriting and Claims, Legal Framework for Insurance Contract, Liability Insurance, Marine and Aviation Insurance, Marketing and Customer Behaviour, Motor Insurance, Pension and Provident Funds and Property Insurance.

The Scheme for the Life Insurance Sector comprises 15 modules, each module lasting for 30 to 60 hours. As a pilot run, the following modules will be offered in September: Life Insurance and Practice, Pensions and Provident Funds, Legal Aspects of Life Insurance, and Investments and Financial Planning.

The fee for each module is either HK$990 or HK$1,485, depending on the number of teaching hours. The medium of instruction will be Cantonese supplemented with English. The venue will be Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Kwun Tong), 25 Hiu Ming Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon.

Since the launch of the Professional Development Scheme in 1999, there has been altogether 100 students participating in the Scheme to acquire basic knowledge of the insurance industry, and to learn how to apply the knowledge in daily work.

For details of the Scheme, please contact Ms. Vincy Lo, Secretary of Insurance Training Board at 2836 1724.

The Insurance Training Board is one of the 19 training boards under the Vocational Training Council. It is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the industry and providing training to meet such needs.

Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 welcomes applications 

- A biennial multi-disciplinary contest held for the third time, the Competition includes 21 trades this year
- The first Youth Skill Competition in beauty care will be held
- Winners will have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at the World Skills Competition to be held in Seoul, Korea in 2001


Applications are now invited for the multi-disciplinary Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 including the first beauty care contest of the Competition.

Jointly organized by the Vocational Training Council, the Clothing Industry Training Authority, the Construction Industry Training Authority and the Industrial Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this biennial Competition aims to strengthen the awareness of the vital importance of vocational education and training among young people and the general public. Winners will have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at the World Skills Competition to be held in Seoul, Korea in 2001.

Organizers encourage young fellow workers in the 21 trades to take part in the Competition to test their skills and knowledge and to share experiences with other colleagues and judging panel comprises experts of the trade.

For most of the trade contests, competitors should be permanent Hong Kong residents born on or after 1 January 1979. For the mechatronics contest, competitors should be born on or after 1 January 1976, and for the beauty care contest, competitors should be permanent Hong Kong residents born on or after 1 January 1975 and have relevant skill and knowledge.

This is the first beauty care contest to be held in Hong Kong as part of the Youth Skill Competition. The scope of the contest ranges from back-care, facial, manicure, waxing to evening and fantasy make-up. Competitors will enter the final contest on 7 and 8 October after passing the preliminary tests in September. Winners will be awarded medals, cash prizes from $4,000 to $10,000, certificates and beauty care equipment. 

Applications are also invited for female models aged 18 or above. The entry deadline is 31 August.

The Youth Skill Competition has altogether 21 trades. Apart from beauty care, the other 20 trade contests range from automobile technology, CNC milling, CNC turning, commercial wiring, western cooking, fitting, graphic design, industrial electronics, information technology, IT PC & network supporter to jewellery, ladies' dressmaking, ladies' hairdressing, mechanical engineering drawing and design CADD, mechatronics, painting & decorating, plumbing, refrigeration technique, wall & floor tiling and welding. 

The dates of contests and entry deadlines vary with individual trades. 

For details, please refer to the application forms available at the Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition Registry, 1/F, Vocational Training Council Tower, 27 Wood Road, Wanchai, or please call 2836 1736, 2836 1738 (tel), or visit the web page at http://apple.vtc.edu.hk.

Winners of the Hong Kong Youth Skill Competition 2000 will have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at the 36th World Skills Competition to be held in Seoul, Korea in 2001 and to receive special training for the purpose. 

Organized by the International Vocational Training Organization, the biennial World Skills Competition provides young tradespeople worldwide a unique forum of exchange and comparison of competency standards in technical skills in their respective trades. Hong Kong took part in the world competition twice and gained excellent results including a World Champion Gold Medal in IT PC and network supporter in 1999 and Bronze Medals in ladies' dressmaking, information technology and jewellery in 1997.

Vocational education and training is the alternative route: VTC

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) reminds this year's HKCEE students to consider undertaking vocational studies combining theory and practice with the VTC as an alternative route to sixth form education.

For the new academic year 2000/01, the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) will see the introduction of about 10 new programmes. These include Higher Diploma and Diploma in Printing and Computer Imaging, Higher Diploma and Diploma in Digital Media, Higher Diploma in Purchasing and Supply Management, Higher Diploma in Global and Electronic Business Operations and Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology in Chinese Medicines.

Apart from these, IVE offers a wide range of subjects, including engineering, construction, design, business and accountancy, hotel and catering, and information technology. The full-time courses at higher diploma, diploma and certificate levels require students to have a minimum of five subjects at grade E or above in HKCEE, including English Language (Syllabus B).

IVE will also increase the intake for its one-year full-time Foundation Diploma courses by 1,000 to a total of 3,000. Applicants for the Foundation Diploma are required to have only three subjects at grade E in HKCEE.

The course, with both generic and vocational content, aims to enhance the job prospects of young people by equipping them with employable skills particularly IT and language. It is divided into two streams: technical and business.

Late applications for IVE courses are available until 19 August. Application forms can be obtained at IVE Admissions Office, Room 012, Academic Block, IVE (Chai Wan), 30 Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan, Hong Kong, and the nine IVE campuses.

Secondary five school leavers can also choose to attend VTC's training courses at its training centres in electronics, building services, printing, textiles and jewellery.

Courses open to applications for the first time in 2000/01 are Technical Foundation Courses in Vehicle Servicing, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Electrical Engineering, Lift Engineering and Textiles (Quality Assurance and Merchandising). Students with secondary five education may apply.

In the practical working environment of the training centers, trainees will be equipped with basic skills for employment in their chosen sectors. The courses are offered free.

School leavers can also opt for the VTC's Apprentice Training Scheme and other training schemes which give them on-the-job, industry-specific training.

Other VTC's education opportunities available include the Project Springboard Programme, IT Assistant Training Programme and hospitality training courses offered by the Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre.

Applicants for IVE courses who wish to change the order of their course choices are also reminded to return their submission on 10 and 11 August in person or through the Internet. They can contact IVE Admissions Office on 2897 6111 or visit individual IVE campuses on their information days for further information about the courses and their entry requirements.

School leavers can also call 2836 1973 for information on training centre courses and 2349 1251 for training schemes.

The VTC's Executive Director Prof Lee Ngok urged young people to choose vocational education. He said, "The VTC has been focusing its effort on providing quality vocational oriented programmes for secondary three and secondary five school leavers to equip them for employment. The VTC students are well accepted by industry and have always enjoyed very good employment prospects."

The VTC is the territory's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school leavers and working people. It operates the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (a merger of two former technical college and seven former technical institutes), 20 training and development centres, three skills centers for the disabled; and administers the Apprentice Training Scheme and other training schemes. 

IVETA Conference 2000: Landmark event in Hong Kong opens for worldwide vocational education & training professionals

-World-class Conference for some 260 delegates from 20 countries opened today by Mrs. Fanny Law, J.P., Secretary for Education and Manpower, the Government of HKSAR

Some 260 vocational education and training professionals from 20 countries gathered to share experience and exchange views on "Vocational Education and Training for Life Long Learning in the Information Era" at the IVETA Conference 2000, opened today (7 August) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) by Mrs. Fanny Law, Secretary for Education and Manpower, HKSAR.

This world-class Conference is jointly organized by the International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) and Hong Kong's Vocational Training Council (VTC) to provide a stimulating and fruitful experience for all those involved or interested in the development of vocational education and training (VET) in the new millennium.

Executive Director of VTC, Professor Lee Ngok, said at the opening ceremony, the enthusiastic response from the delegates was indicative of the keen interest worldwide towards the development of vocational education and training in the new millennium.

The three-day Conference focuses on the impact of information technology on the development of VET pedagogy, management, and administrative support. It will also address issues such as human resources development, manpower training, programme development, social responsibilities, and skills for the new millennium.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony also included Professor Zhong Bing Lin, Director General of the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, China; Dr. Johanna Lasonen, President of IVETA; and Mr. K.Y. Yeung, Chairman of VTC.

Dr. Johanna Lasonen said, "The programme shows many avenues of approaches, policies and actions to improve the quality of VET for life long learning in the information era in different information societies." 

"The concept of lifelong learning opens the way to discussion of more than traditional ideas of education and training and the need of one-off training and qualifications in specific occupations," she said. "It is a matter of interest to the whole of society."

Altogether 120 high quality papers from speakers of all five continents will be presented. Professor Zhong Bing Lin, Dr. Johanna Lasonen and Professor Lee Ngok also address keynote speeches at the Conference. Other keynote speakers include Ms Heather Crawford, National President of Australian Technical and Further Education, and Professor David Monk, Dean of College of Education, Pennsylvania State University, USA..

A concurrent exhibition relating to the Conference theme is held at Suite 201B, HKCEC. VTC takes part in the exhibition to promote its education and training programmes. Other exhibitors, including IBM, Oasis Computer Consultants, Hong Kong CKC Input Promotion Centre and System-Pro, also showcase their latest IT products and services.

The exhibition is open to public free-of-charge. Opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on 8 and 9 August.

Supporting organizations of the IVETA Conference 2000 include Hong Kong Tourist Association; Education and Manpower Bureau, Government of the HKSAR; Employees Retraining Board; Hong Kong Productivity Council; College of Higher Vocational Studies, City University of Hong Kong; and School of Professional Education and Executive Development, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

The principal sponsor of this premier event is eSchool Limited.

IVETA (International Vocational Education and Training Association) is an organization and network of vocational educators at all levels and from all around the globe. IVETA is dedicated to the advancement and improvement of high-quality vocational education and training wherever it exists and wherever it is needed.

eSchool was established in 1998 to provide quality web-based education to individuals and corporations. Using the latest online technology, eSchool delivers a unique one-stop learning environment that can be assessed anytime, anywhere and at any pace.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120,000 people every year through its Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), 20 training centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes.

Launch of VTC Student Community Service Programme at Opening of "Millennium Vocational Education Awareness Month"

- An innovative Community Service Programme with the first-ever "Vocational Education Special Agents", a vocational education and training roadshow in shopping centres and housing estates, and the first-ever international conference on vocational education and training to be held in Hong Kong, will be the "Flavours of the Month" .


The Vocational Training Council's "Millennium Vocational Education Awareness Month" officially kicked off at a show featuring games and demonstration of student project at Sha Tin New Town Plaza today (30 July).

Speaking at the ceremony, VTC's Executive Director Prof. Lee Ngok said, "The 'Millennium Vocational Education Awareness Month' is a new initiative of the VTC to raise the awareness of vocational education as an attractive alternative to traditional academic study for young people in Hong Kong."

The publicity campaign, including an innovative student community service programme, the IVETA Conference 2000, roadshows and outdoor advertising, also aims to help secondary three and five school leavers to better understand the training opportunities offered by the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) and training centres.

Twenty some IVE Student Ambassadors were proud to be appointed as the first-ever "Vocational Education Special Agents" and with Vocational Education Ambassador Miss Gigi Leung as Honorary Team Captain. 

Mr. Sun Ho-pun, one of the VTC "special agents" said, "Under this programme, we will visit orphanage and elderly home to show projects created by IVE students."

"We hope to show them our care for them and also our ability to put our skills and knowledge learnt from IVE into practice."

At the ceremony, the VTC also introduced the IVETA Conference 2000, a prestigious international event held in Hong Kong for the first time and jointly organized by the International Vocational Education and Training Association (IVETA) and the VTC from 6 to 9 August. Mr. Alvin P.L. Shin, representative of the principal sponsor of the conference, eSchool Limited, presented a souvenir to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Lawerence Chan, at the ceremony.

The VTC will also participate in the concurrent exhibition at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to promote its education and training programmes from 7 to 9 August.

Students and the public are encouraged to visit the IVETA exhibition and other VTC roadshows which are now on show at major shopping centres and housing estates across the territory until 23 August.

The VTC is the territory's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering full-range of specialist training for more than 120,000 people every year through its IVE, 20 training and development centres, apprenticeship and other training schemes.

VTC and ERB boost IT Assistant Training Programme to meet strong demand

- The VTC and ERB announced significant increase in the number of annual training places for the well-recieved IT training programme in the next two years.

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) and Employees Retraining Board (ERB) will boost the training capacity of the successful IT Assistant Training Programme (ITAT) which has already trained up 300 young school-leavers and unemployed people for the booming IT industry.

At today (29 July)'s ITAT Programme Graduation Ceremony, Prof. Lee Ngok, Executive Director of the VTC, said that as the response from both graduates and employers to the pilot programme has been positive and encouraging, the Government has decided to offer the ITAT course on a regular basis and increase the study places to 1,000 per year in the next two years.

"The regular ITAT Programme will be even more enriching and flexible to meet the needs of the trainees and the industry. It will have two study modes of classroom training and Web-based training," Prof. Lee said.

Initiated by the Education and Manpower Bureau and jointly offered by the VTC and ERB, the free-of-charge 10-week intensive ITAT Programme aims to provide essential IT skills training for young school-leavers and unemployed people with a view to enhancing their competitiveness in the job market.

The second batch of 103 graduates received graduation certificates today. Five student Web designers were awarded prizes by the Microsoft Hong Kong Ltd., and three outstanding students who got the best results in the ITAT Programme were presented with scholarships by the EC Information Technology Ltd. The Microsoft Hong Kong has also offered free training for ITAT trainees.

The ITAT Programme provides trainees with up-to-date practical training in basic IT skills, office and database applications, Web authoring, e-commerce, multi-media production and Intranet/Internet support. The first batch of graduates has enjoyed good job prospect with nearly 70 per cent of them having secured employment.

Those who are permanent Hong Kong residents (including new arrivals), having completed secondary three and unemployed are eligible to apply.

The ITAT Programme is inviting applications until 15 August. Application forms are available from VTC Tower (27 Wood Road, Wanchai), ERB (Unit 1907-1912, 19/F, Miramar Tower, 132 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui), Tsuen Wan Job Centre, Labour Department (2/F, Tsuen Wan Government Offices, 38 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan), and CityU Professional Services Ltd. (602A, Hong Kong Industrial Technology Centre, 72 Tat Chi Road, Kowloon Tong).

For enquiries please call 2591 9811 or email to enquiry@itat.ittdc.org. Further information is also available at VTC's home page at www.itat.ittdc.org.

Other officiating guests at the ceremony included Mr. S.S. Kwong, Executive Director of the ERB and Mr. H.Y. Ip, Centre Director of the VTC's Information Technology Training and Development Centre (ITTDC).

The VTC is the Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school-leavers and working people. The ITAT programme is offered through the ITTDC which provides high quality and market driven information technology training and services to IT and non-IT personnel of all ages.

VTC offers training to enhance youths' job prospects

The Vocational Training Council is launching a number of new training programmes and expanding some of its popular ones to help secondary three and five school-leavers improve their job skills and employment prospects.

One of them is the new two-year full-time "Hospitality Industry Foundation Certificate Course" offered by the VTC's Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre to meet increasing need for well-trained young people to enter the hospitality industry. The free programme covers knowledge of food and beverage industry, preparation of western and Chinese snacks, drinks and desserts, knowledge of front office organization and operations as well as computer skills and vocational English and Putonghua.

A total of 300 places will be offered. Those with secondary three education and aged 16 or above are welcome to apply.

Other courses open to applications for the first time in 2000/01 will be in the areas of building services, textiles and digital media. They are, namely, Technician Foundation Courses in Vehicle Servicing, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration, Electrical Engineering, Lift Engineering and Textiles (Quality Assurance and Merchandising) for secondary five students, and Basic Craft Course in Digital Print Media Publishing Techniques for secondary three students. All are one-year full-time courses.

There are 20 other one-year full-time Technician Foundation Courses and Basic Craft Courses offered by the VTC's training centres in the fields of automobile, electronics, electrical, jewellery, plastics, printing, gas and welding industries. They are also offered free.

Application forms are available at VTC Tower (27 Wood Road, Wanchai), Kowloon Bay, Pokfulam and Kwai Chung Training Centre Complexes, IVE's nine campuses, Offices of the Director of Apprenticeship and major district offices. For enquiries please call 2836 1973.

Meanwhile, in view of the popularity of its unique programme of Certificate of Vocational Studies, the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education will increase the intake by 500 to 1,220 in 2000/01.

The services stream of the Certificate in Vocational Studies, together with Craft Certificate in Basic Clock and Watch Studies and Craft Certificate in Basic Optics, are still inviting applications. Young people with secondary three level are welcome to apply. 

Covering subjects such as Business Studies and Practice, Commercial Software Applications and Service Culture, the Certificate in Vocational Studies (Services) aims to provide students with both practical training and general education so as to improve their employability and help them develop a better grounding for further education.

Those who have completed secondary four are eligible for the other two courses, Certificate in Word Processing and Office Practice, and Vocational Certificate in Hairdressing.

The deadline for application for IVE courses is 14 August. Application forms and guidebooks are obtainable from the IVE Admissions Office located at IVE (Chai Wan), 30 Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan, nine IVE campuses, Career and Guidance Service of Education Department, Career Advisory Service of Labour Department and major district offices. 24 hour enquiry hotline: 2897 6111.

The Vocational Training Council is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for more than 120,000 people every year through its IVE, 20 training centres and apprenticeship and other training schemes.

Information is also available on VTC's home page: www.vtc.edu.hk.

IVE students awarded for innovative projects

- Innovative award-winning projects - such as Super Cat, Pneumatic Machine for Fitting Watch Hands - show students' creativity and ability to put their skills and knowledge into practice

A robotic "cat" and "mouse" and a pneumatic machine for fitting watch hands are the champion projects in this year's Project and Skills Competitions organized by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE).

A presentation ceremony was held today (21 July) at the Hall of the IVE's Morrison Hill campus where all winning projects were put on display for public viewing until Saturday.

Addressing the ceremony, Vocational Training Council's Executive Director Professor Lee Ngok said the competitions had provided a competitive forum for students to show their products of teamwork, technical skills, innovative mind and problem-solving ability.

The competitions drew participants from both the technician and craft students in electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering disciplines.

The winning projects either incorporate environmental protection concept, automation ideal or information technology. Professor Lee said that this reflects the students' sensitivity to the development of the society as well as the technology development.

The robotic "cat" and "mouse", designed and fabricated by students of the Morrison Hill Campus, has won the first prize in the Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technician Project Competition. Built in with artificial intelligence by programming the microcontroller 8051 assembly language, both machines make use of ultrasonic transmitter and receiver as sensors. In motion, the "cat' chases the "mouse" within the surrounding area.

The winning project in the mechanical engineering category was a pneumatic machine for fitting watch hands which was designed and developed by students of the Lee Wai Lee campus. Designed to maintain the quality of watch assembly demanding high precision and accuracy, the automatic machine can assemble all hour, minute and second hands for a watch, fitting one watch hand at a time.

The judges commended both projects which proved to be practical and innovative.

The first and second runners-up under the electrical/electronic engineering category were a telephone monitoring through www project and a remote control security guard system. For the electrical/electronic disciplines, an automation digital watch module tester and an environmental protection and energy recycling indoor swimming pool fetched the second and third prizes respectively.

At the ceremony, a total of 26 students also received Chen Hsong Industrial Scholarship from Ms Bessie Ho, Personal Assistant to Managing Director, Chen Hsong Machinery Co. Ltd.

The exhibition of the winning projects will be open to the public tomorrow (22 July) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Morrison Hill), formerly Morrison Hill Technical Institute, is located at 6 Oi Kwan Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

IVE is a merger of the two former technical colleges and seven former technical institutes under the Vocational Training Council. The institution is entrusted with the Council's mission of providing high quality vocational education and training which is directly applicable to the requirement of Hong Kong's employers and the community.

Employers cite customer concern and crisis management as key elements of managerial competency, VTC survey says


"Customer Concern", "Crisis Management", "Team Building" and "Efficiency" were found to be the most important core competencies for both managers and supervisors in Hong Kong, a survey conducted by the Committee on Management and Supervisory Training of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) has found.

The survey, first conducted by the committee on companies employing ten or more people, studied the managerial competency and management training needs of managers and supervisors working in Hong Kong and the Mainland. 

Releasing the survey findings at a press conference today (19 July), Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Stanley Lau, said "As a whole, managers working in Hong Kong were found to have performed at a level between 'fair' and 'good' in all competencies.

"Although there was no pressing need for training in any particular competency for managers and supervisors working in Hong Kong, the Committee asserted that for Hong Kong to maintain its competitiveness and succeed in the new millennium, organizations need to get their managers and supervisors well equipped with new skills and competencies."

Nevertheless, the survey found that close to one half of the companies recruited supervisors and managers not having had prior training in management, and that around the same proportion of companies did not provide these recruits with management training after their appointment.

"The Committee is concerned that almost three-quarters of the companies did not have any training plans for their managers, and the situation was even worse for supervisors," said Mr. Lau.

"The brighter picture, however, was that the majority of the companies surveyed were willing to sponsor their staff to attend relevant management training programmes by reimbursing them for the fees paid and/or releasing them to attend training during office hours."

Mr. Lau added, "As organizations get slimmer and the management hierarchy gets flatter, releasing staff to attend traditional classroom-based courses is getting difficult. Consequently, individual learner-centred on-demand type learning options that offer flexibility in time, place, pace and level matching are in increasing demand."

Conducted in the third quarter of 1999, the survey covered 1,300 randomly selected companies in eight major commerce and services sectors (manufacturing; electricity/gas and water; construction; wholesale/retail and import/export; transport/ storage/communication; finance/insurance/real estates; and community/social services) with a valid response rate of 99%.

The survey also revealed that for managers working in the Mainland, "Customer Concern", "Crisis Management" and "Efficiency" were the top-ranking competencies. The trio was similar for supervisors working in the Mainland, except that the importance ranking of the last two were reversed.

Considerable discrepancy existed between importance and performance for both managers and supervisors working in the Mainland, indicating a substantial need for improvement to make up for these deficiencies.

As for general skills and knowledge required by managers and supervisors working in the Mainland, "Proficiency in Putonghua" and "Understanding of Mainland customs and culture" topped the list, closely followed by "Ability to plan for uncertainty".

Full report and statistics of the survey will be available for access and downloading from the VTC's web site (www.vtc.edu.hk).

The Committee on Management and Supervisory Training is one of the 23 training boards and committees under the VTC. It is responsible for determining the training needs of managerial and supervisory personnel and making recommendations on how these needs may be best met.

VTC to stage Vocational Training and Education Exhibitions

- Good opportunities for secondary school leavers and the public to know more about the vocational education and training opportunities offered by the VTC. 


The Vocational Training Council (VTC) will stage a series of exhibitions to showcase its vocational training and education opportunities for secondary three and secondary five school leavers. The exhibitions, to be held in six shopping centres in the coming two weeks, will keep young people and the public abreast of up-to-date information on the courses and programmes offered by the VTC's training centres, apprenticeship schemes and Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE).

The schedule of the exhibition is listed as follows:

Vocational Training for Secondary-Three School Leavers and Above

Tin Tsz Shopping Centre (Tin Shui Wai)       15 - 16 July
Oi Man Shopping Centre (Ho Man Tin)        17 - 18 July
Lei Tung Shopping Centre (Ap Lei Chau)     19 - 20 July
Wo Che Shopping Centre (Shatin)                 21 - 23 July
Yiu Tung Shopping Centre (Sai Wan Ho)     28 - 30 July

Vocational Education Opportunities with the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) 

Times Square (Causeway Bay)                     24 - 26 July

The opening hours of the exhibitions are from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. VTC officers will be on site to answer public enquiries about the features of training programmes, their admission requirements and career prospects. The exhibits will be accompanied by video show on VTC programmes and informative course leaflets and application forms will be distributed at the venues. 

Members of the public are welcome. Admission is free. 

To enhance the employability of secondary five school leavers, the VTC will increase places of the training centres' Technician Foundation Course in vehicle servicing, electrical engineering and building services for the next academic year. The number of places of IVE's Foundation Diploma Course will also increase by 1,000 . Additional places will also be provided for secondary three school leavers both in IVE's Certificate in Vocational Studies Course and the training centres' Basic Craft Course as well as the hospitality courses offered by the Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre.

Apprenticeship training at craftsman and technician levels is suitable for secondary three leavers and secondary five leavers respectively. Throughout the training period of three to four years, apprentices will receive organized on-the-job training and practice. Their employers will sponsor them to study related courses at IVE on a part-time day basis.

The VTC is the territory's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering full-range of specialist training for more than 120,000 people every year through its IVE, 21 training and development centres, apprenticeship and other training schemes.

IVE student World Champion in LCCI typing exam

- young typing talent says she would develop her long-term career with the practical work skills she learned with IVE

Hong Kong won another world championship with Miss Jim Hoi-lam, a business student of Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) under the Vocational Training Council, who has been awarded the Gold Medallion for achieving "First Place in the world" and "First Place in Hong Kong" in the Typewriting (2nd Level) Paper in the LCCI Examinations.

The 20-year-old Hoi-lam won the award when she was studying the Certificate in Word Processing and Office Practice programme at the IVE (Lee Wai Lee) in 1998-99. Because of her remarkable results, she was admitted to the Diploma in Secretarial Administration programme by the IVE (Morrison Hill).

She attributed her success to the intensive training offered by the Word Processing and Office Practice programme.

"In daily assignments, lecturers required us to type up to the standard of accuracy, speed and format of the LCCI Examination," said Hoi-lam.

"Although I didn't get good grades in the HKCEE, I am happy that IVE has provided me the opportunity to develop my potential for a suitable career," she said.

Hoi-lam hopes to develop her career as a secretary or a clerk in the business sector.

The one-year Certificate in Word Processing and Office Practice covers a wide range of subjects including English and Chinese Word Processing, Bookkeeping, Data Entry Practice, Elementary Business Communication, Typewriting, Putonghua, Office Practice, Elements of Commerce, Physical Education and Office Machine Practice.

Subjects covered in the two-year Diploma in Secretarial Administration include Business Accounting, Business Environment and Organisations, Marketing and Business Management, Office Technology and Simulated Secretarial Work, Secretarial Duties and Office Administration, Office Software Applications.

Besides typing, Hoi-lam has great interest in computer. She said she enjoyed the advantages of developing her computer and IT skills in the diploma course.

All nine campuses of IVE have a Business Administration Department. Other business courses cover areas of accountancy, insurance, sales and marketing, China business practices, purchasing and supply, etc.

VTC to present Digital Era - Student Works Exhibition

- VTC's first exhibition to showcase students' digital media works


The Printing Department of the Vocational Training Council's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) (Kwun Tong) will hold the "Digital Era - Student Works Exhibition" on 6-8 July, featuring more than 100 selected student works. Employers in the printing industry, digital media and all members of the public are welcome.

More than half of the 100 exhibits are created by the students studying the new Diploma in Digital Media Studies course. Their works cover the areas of 2D animation, digital imaging, 3D modeling, photography, media studies, video studies and printing process, etc.

The new course was launched last year to meet the growing need for professional DTP artists, Web designers and animators in the printing and digital media industry. Students can acquire knowledge and skills in modern technology and make use of the Printing Department's most advanced pre-press laboratories and media studios.

The remaining work pieces are created by students of the Diploma in Printing (Computer Imaging) and Certificate in Creative Media Studies.

The show will be held at Room 052, IVE (Kwun Tong), 25 Hiu Ming Street, Kwun Tong on 6-8 July, 10:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. Interested parties are also welcome to see the show between 10 July and 5 August, 10:30a.m. - 5:00p.m. on weekdays and 10:30a.m.- 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays by appointment (Please call 2727 4331 ext. 335). 

The Kwun Tong Campus is the only one of the nine IVE campuses that offers professional training in printing. Starting from the 2000/01 academic year, it will for the first time offer two new programmes at higher diploma level - Higher Diploma in Digital Media and Higher Diploma in Printing and Computer Imaging.

With the establishment of the Advanced Printing Technology Centre, Hong Kong's best equipped prepress laboratory, at the campus, students can take the advantage of the $18 million worth of electronic publishing and digital printing equipment.

IVE, a merger of the two former technical colleges and seven former technical institutes, offers vocationally-oriented courses at basic craft, diploma and higher diploma levels in subjects ranging from applied science, engineering, design, to business and computing science.

VTC to offer Internet Application, Web Design and Maintenance Course for Real Estate Services 

- the new IT course aims to upgrade service level of the real estate sector

To meet the increasing demand for application of information technology to the real estate development services industries, the Vocational Training Council (VTC)'s Real Estate Services Training Board and Information Technology Development and Training Centre are jointly offering a new course in "Internet Application, Web Design and Maintenance for Real Estate Services" this August. This 36-hour course is tailor-made for in-service personnel.

"With I-aution, cyber-houseviewing and cyber facility management coming on the scene, the real estate services personnel have to keep abreast of the latest trend of the wider application of information technology to the industry," said Mr. Tony Chan, Vice-Chairman of the Real Estate Services Training Board and Convenor of the Working Group on IT Training Courses.

"This course will be very useful to the daily work of the trainees," he said.

"On completion of the course, the trainees should be able to have the basic concepts of E-commerce, master the practical techniques in using Internet, and develop Web pages by using popular web publishing tools."

Comprising two Saturday morning and 10 evening sessions, the course covers introduction to Internet, developing web page, flash and photoshop, and web site prototyping. Trainees will be required to develop a Web-based project relating to their professions to qualify themselves for the certificate.

All lecturers are experienced professionals. The medium of instruction is Cantonese (supplemented with English).

The fee of this course is $4,800. Details and application forms can be obtained by fax (2893 5879), downloaded from the web site: www.vtc.edu.hk/it/retb/toc.htm, by sending a self-addressed envelop (with postage of $1.30) or in person to 16/F., VTC Tower, 27 Wood Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.

For enquiries, please call 2836 1701 or 2836 1703. The deadline for application is 20 July.

The Real Estate Services Training Board set up in 1998 is one of the 19 training boards under the VTC. It is responsible for determining the manpower needs of the profession and providing training to meet such needs.

Vocational Training Council to Introduce Trade Testing, Systematic Training and Skills Upgrading for the Chinese Cuisine Industry

- Chairlady of the VTC's Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Training Board announced future plans after first board meeting.

The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI) is launching its first course, an elementary course for aspiring chef in Chinese cuisine aged 16 or above, in late August 2000. It also plans to launch trade testing and pre-trade testing programmes for practicing chefs in 2001.

It is expected that through systematic training and trade testing, the number of trainees of the CCTI will increase from 365 in the first year to 1041 in the third year.

This was disclosed by Ms. Annie Wu, Chairlady of CCTI Training Board (CCTI TB) at today's press conference held after the Training Board's first meeting.

The CCTI is one of the three capital Millennium projects of the Special Administrative Region. "It has taken Chinese culinary training a big step forward by providing a uniform training system to aspiring youths and practicing chefs who want to obtain or upgrade their professional qualifications. The Institute spares no effort in fostering local culinary talents and defining professional avenues for career advancement in the industry. It is envisaged that the training system will elevate culinary expertise and professional standing of chefs in Chinese Cuisine," said Ms. Wu.

She continued, "The CCTI features a series of progressive full-time and part-time training courses from elementary to master chef level for those who are interested in culinary skill training. However, considering that there are many practicing chefs with extensive related experience in the industry, the CCTI will introduce trade testing as an alternative route for them to obtain professional qualifications."

The Institute has made reference to the culinary systems of China, Switzerland , Germany and a number of other countries to establish its own accreditation system tailor-made to meet the needs of the catering industry in Hong Kong. 

Candidates applying for CCTI's full-time course must have at least Secondary three standard and be 16 years of age or above. Enrollment will be subject to recruitment interviews. Candidates applying for CCTI's part-time courses must be in-service personnel with relevant work experience.

Candidates selected will undergo a two-year or three-year training in areas such as: Knowledge in Food Preparation; Food Costing and Quality Control; Food Service Training; Food Hygiene and Safety as well as Food Science. To enable the graduates to assimilate into the industry, studies in computer skills, vocational English and Putonghua, service culture and attitude training have also been incorporated in the courses.

The CCTI will also offer pre-trade testing courses in Year 2001/2002 to help candidates better prepare for the trade test to be launched in 2001/2002 for assessing graduates and practicing chefs on a diversified area of trade knowledge. The anticipated number of personnel who can attain professional qualification in that year is 250. 

Furthermore, in order to promote the deep-rooted heritage and tradition of Chinese culinary culture, the CCTI will be offering interest courses to Hong Kong residents and tourists. 

The establishment of the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute will culminate in the official opening of the Institute in December 2000.

The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Applies Computer Technology in Culinary Training

- Interactive CD-ROM Training Programme provided by Chinese Cuisine Training Institute increases study efficiency

Hands-on practice constitutes a predominant part in the training courses provided by the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI). In order to enhance the flexibility in Chinese cuisine training, the Institute will incorporate an "Interactive CD-ROM Training Programme" in the training of technical trade skills.

Using computer technology, the "Interactive CD-ROM Training Programme" is an excellent gadget in enhancing training effectiveness.

"Throughout the training course, there are many opportunities for trainees to acquire the skills and knowledge in preparation of high-value Chinese cooking ingredients such as shark's fin. Supplementing normal kitchen training with this training package, the CCTI can significantly increase study efficiency." Mr. Lawrence Wong, Director of the Chinese Cuisine Training Centre said.

"The Interactive CD-ROM Training Package is of tremendous benefits to our trainees because they can get familiarised with specific trade skills by repeat learning from the Training Programme. It has proven to be productive in eliminating training inconsistencies and improving the quality of training."

The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute aims to provide systematic training in the discipline of Chinese culinary arts. In order for the trainees to have a better understanding of the operations of the catering industry, the Institute is equipped with a number of training kitchens, demonstration kitchen, training restaurant and lounge, food science laboratory and computer training room. 

The Chinese Cuisine Training Institute is one of the three capital Millennium projects of the Special Administrative Region, established and operated by the Vocational Training Council.

Employment boom found in insurance industry, says VTC survey

- Total workforce increased substantially by 36.1% in the past two years 
- Financial Services Development Centre of the VTC offers training courses to help insurance personnel prepare for examinations under the Insurance Intermediaries Quality Assurance Scheme (IIQAS) 
- Financial Services Development Centre of the VTC also offers professional courses for continuous professional development

Total workforce of the insurance industry recorded a significant growth in the past two years, according to a manpower survey conducted by the Insurance Training Board of the Vocational Training Council (VTC).

Compared with the survey findings of 1997, the total workforce of the industry rose substantially from 35,523 to 48,339 in 1999, representing a growth of 36.1 per cent. 

At the time of the survey, a total of 12,814 (26.5%) people were employed in the general insurance sector and 35,525 (73.5%) in the life insurance sector. Among them, 11,724 (24.3%) were insurance employees, 32,699 (67.6%) agents and 3,916 (8.1%) supporting or non-insurance employees.

The growth in manpower was most noticeable in the life insurance sector. The number of employees increased drastically by 77.5 per cent from 2,736 in 1997 to 4,856 in 1999. The number of principal agents also went up 47 per cent from 19,760 to 29,042.

A growth of 23.9 per cent in the total number of general insurance employees was found in the survey from 5,543 in 1997 to 6,868 in 1999. On the other hand, the number of individual agents decreased by 23.4 per cent from 4,775 to 3,657.

"Public awareness of the need for insurance protection and long-term commitment to insurance services will be raised and the industry will continue to demand well-trained professionals," a spokesman of the Training Board said.

In the next 12 months, employers forecast that the general insurance sector would additionally require 164 insurance employees and 481 insurance agents.

Meanwhile, 2,278 persons are expected to join the life insurance sector, including 323 employees and 1,955 agents.

The Training Board recommends continuous professional development for insurance employees and agents to enhance their insurance knowledge and attain professional qualifications by joining the "Insurance Traineeship Scheme", "Professional Development Scheme" implemented by the VTC and Financial Services Development Centre (FSDC). 

The FSDC was established by merging the Banking Training Centre, the Insurance Training Centre and the Accountancy Training Unit of the VTC. It runs numerous short courses in both general and life insurance for the insurance industry. It currently runs courses to prepare insurance personnel for the four minimum qualification IIQAS examinations. The courses are designed in accordance with the proposed syllabus of the required examination and taught by local experts and practitioners. It is also expected that the insurance profession will follow other professions in the implementation of a continuous professional development (CPD) programme requirement following the IIQAS implementation. The "Professional Development Scheme" introduced and offered by the Insurance Training Broad and FSDC is launched with the foresight to cater to the coming CPD requirements of the insurance profession. 

The FSDC also develops and provides work-based practical training courses, and professional examination related courses for in-service personnel at all job levels in the industry.   It also provides custom tailor in-company training. Interested parties may visit its newly designed web site at www.fsdc.vtc.edu.hk.

IVE Common First Year and Diploma Students Win Eligibility for Government Grants and Loans Scheme

- Local Student Finance Scheme (LSFS) extended to VTC Diploma students for the first time

The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved on Friday (26 May) a proposal by the Student Financial Assistance Agency (SFAA) to expand the ambit of the Local Student Finance Scheme (LSFS) to provide grants and loans to local full-time students of the Vocational Training Council's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) who are pursuing the two-year Diploma and Common First Year programmes with effect from the 2000/01 academic year. Currently, only full-time Higher Diploma students at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education are eligible for the LSFS Scheme. The extension of the LSFS is expected to benefit more than 5,000 IVE students in the coming academic year.

"The extension of the LSFS to Common First Year and Diploma students represents a major breakthrough in our fight for the interests of IVE students," said Mo Yun-Ming, Principal Education Officer of the Academic Secretariat of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. "It further endorses the status of the newly merged Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education and the qualifications provided by the new IVE."

Formed in 1999, IVE is a merger of the two former technical colleges and seven former technical institutes. To improve the overall quality of its Diploma and Higher Diploma programmes, the new IVE has in its first year introduced a new course structure whereby students are classified into subject groups and share a common curriculum in the first year before progressing to a specific Diploma or Higher Diploma course in the second year. For the 2000/01 academic year, the Common First Year System will be modified to enrol students onto specific Higher Diploma or Diploma courses right at the beginning of the first year, with the exception of Design courses.

Prior to the formation of the new IVE last year, Higher Diploma students in the two technical colleges were eligible for financial assistance under the LSFS while Diploma students of the seven technical institutes were eligible for the VTC's own Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). Since the introduction of the Common First Year system for students in the new IVE, students of the IVE's two-year Diploma and Common First Year programmes have been covered by the VTC's own FAS, which provides grants for living expenses and remission of tuition fees. From the 2000/01 academic year onwards, the LSFS will be made available to all IVE students of the Higher Diploma, two-year Diploma and Common First Year programmes.

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education was formed with a view to improving the quality and status of vocational education in Hong Kong. The newly-launched independent IVE Admission Scheme for secondary-five school leavers attracted a total of 67,000 applications for approximately 10,000 places offered in the 2000/01 academic year. The total number of applications represented a 23 % increase over the previous year under the Joint Admissions Scheme for Post-secondary Institutions' Courses (JASPIC).

The VTC is Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school-leavers and working people. It operates the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education and 23 training centres and development centres.

Vocational Training Council welcomes appointment of First Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Training Board

 -    New Training Board to play a key role in developing Hong Kong into a regional centre of excellence in Chinese cuisine training

         Leading members and representatives of the Chinese catering sector, local restaurant and hotel associations, experts in Chinese food research and practising chefs have been appointed members of the first Training Board for the VTC's Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI).

         The new CCTI Training Board will work closely with the VTC, which is responsible for the establishment and operation of the Institute, on developing Hong Kong into a regional centre of excellence in Chinese cuisine training.  The work of the CCTI includes:

•  planning and providing systematic training programmes in the preparation of Chinese cuisine ranging from elementary to master chef level for both new entrants to the industry and in-service personnel
  

• designing and conducting trade tests covering different levels of expertise in Chinese cuisine for the purpose of establishing a set of recognized qualification benchmarks for the Chinese cuisine industry
  

•  raising the professional standards of the local Chinese cuisine industry through the provision of systematic training in practical skills as well as other pertinent subjects such as food hygiene and safety, nutritional science, food cost and quality control as well as service culture.

        The Institute also aims to establish Hong Kong as a regional training and accreditation centre for Chinese cuisine by introducing trade testing for the industry.

        “We are pleased to have the support and advice of these industry experts in our efforts to elevate the professional standards and status of Chinese Chefs as well as the quality and hygiene standard of Chinese cuisine in Hong Kong,”  Professor Lee Ngok, Executive Director of the Vocational Training Council, said.  “ The VTC has an established track record in providing quality training for the industry through its Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education.  We are confident that under the Training Board's leadership, the new CCTI will become the driving force behind both the local and regional Chinese cuisine industries.”

        More details of the CCTI's future plans will be announced after the first CCTI Training Board meeting next month.

        The VTC is the Hong Kong's largest provider of vocational education and training, offering a full range of specialist training for school-leavers and working people.  Established and operated by the VTC, the CCTI is one of the Millenium Projects initiated by the HKSAR Government.

VTC offers more part-time study opportunities for people with secondary three education

 -         the 15 courses on offer include the Certificate of Vocational Studies designed to achieve a balance between job-specific and generic skills

 To cater for the diverse needs of the working population to upgrade their skill level, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is offering courses in various disciplines including a unique programme of Certificate of Vocational Studies (CVS) in September 2000.

The 15 part-time evening programmes offered by the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) is suitable for people with secondary three education.  Applications will be accepted until 12 June.

The CVS programme aims to provide students with both practical training and general education so as to improve their employability and help them develop a better grounding for further education.

It is divided into two steams: service and engineering.  The Service Stream covers subjects such as Business Studies and Practice, Commercial Software Applications and Service Culture, while the Engineering Stream covers subjects such as Design and Graphical Communication, Technological Studies and Practice and Engineering Applications of Computers.

To upgrade the trainees' generic skills, both streams teach language and IT subjects including English and Communication Studies, Chinese and Communication Studies, Putonghua and IT Applications. 

In addition, two main types of programmes, namely the Craft Certificate and the Vocational Certificate, are provided under four disciplines.

The Construction discipline offers Craft Certificates in Site Foremanship Studies, Carpentry, Joinery and Cabinetmaking, Plumbing and Pipefitting.

Under the discipline of Design, Printing, Textiles and Clothing, there are Vocational Certificate in Hairdressing and Craft Certificate in Basic Print Production on offer.

The application fee is $50.  Application forms and guidebooks are obtainable from IVE Admissions Office located at Chai Wan Campus, 30 Shing Tai Road, Chai Wan, major district offices and the nine IVE campuses.

Completed forms should be returned to the Campus Secretariat of the offering campus of your first course choice by post or by hand. 

Information is also available on VTC's home page: http://www.vtc.edu.hk.

24 hour enquiry hotline: 2897 6111.

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, a merger of the former two technical colleges and seven technical institutes, was formed last year by the Vocational Training Council to provide a variety of full-time and part-time vocational education and training courses for school leavers of secondary three and five.

VTC's 60 summer short courses open for applications

- new courses to be offered in line with the growing needs for IT skills


The Vocational Training Council (VTC) is launching a number of Internet and IT courses in line with the growing demand for IT-skilled personnel in the IT industry and other sectors. They are, for example, Introduction to E-Commerce Practices, Introduction to Chinese "Zongheng Code" Input Method and Internet Applications Development.

The courses are part of the 60 some Summer Short Courses to be offered for all intending to upgrade their work knowledge and skills.

The Summer Short Courses are jointly offered by the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education and Continuing Professional Development Centre in eight disciplines, namely, business administration, child care, computing and mathematics, construction, electrical and electronics engineering, hotel, service and tourism studies, language, and mechanical, manufacturing and industrial engineering.

To cater to the changing needs of commerce and industry, there are 19 new courses of different disciplines on offer.

Under the computing and mathematics discipline, there are Surfing the Web, Window 98 and Office 2000, Certificate Course of HTML & Java script for e-business, Teaching with Information Technology & Web Application: Office 2000 - PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Frontpage, and Web Programming with VB Script and ASP.

There are also Web Page Made Simple, Practice Cisco Routers, Advanced Cisco Routers, and GMDSS General Operator's Certificate Short Course under the discipline of electrical and electronics engineering. 

Other new courses are two child care courses, namely, Project Approach for Early Childhood Education and Relaxation Games for Children, and two Putonghua courses.

Other courses include Corporate Accounting Practice and Interpretation of Financial Statement, Preparatory Course for Class 3 Registered Fire Services Installation Contractor Registration Examination, Plumbing Services, Flour Confectionery, Cantonese Cuisine and Cantonese Dim-sum Cuisine.

Course fees range from $480 to $3,000. Fees for some professional courses such as Graduate Certificate in E-enterprise and Management and GMDSS General Operation's Certificate Short Course are slightly higher.

Application forms and guidebooks are obtainable from the nine campuses of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Continuing Professional development Centre, Pokfulam, Kwai Chung and Kowloon Bay Training Centre Complexes, District Offices, and Commercial Press (Shatin, Mongkok and Jordan branches). Completed forms should be returned to the campus or centre conducting the course.

Enquiries can be made to the Continuing Professional Development Centre on 2919 1439 or 2919 1469. The VTC's Web page: http://www.vtc.edu.hk/cpdc.

Survey reveals VTC graduates well received by industry and commerce

- 92 per cent IVE higher diploma graduates employed
- 96 per cent pre-employment course graduates of VTC training centres employed


Ninety-two per cent of the 1999 higher diploma course graduates from the VTC's Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) were employed six months after their graduation, up from 86 per cent in 1998, according to a survey released by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) today (15 May).

The same survey found that the employment rate of the diploma/technician level certificate course graduates had risen significantly from 74 per cent in 1998 to 84 per cent in 1999. However, the employment rates of the 1999 and 1998 craft level certificate course graduates remained roughly the same, being 75 per cent and 76 per cent respectively.

The survey covered 1,615 higher diploma graduates, 4,914 diploma/technician level certificate graduates and 2,916 craft level certificate graduates from the nine IVE campuses, namely, Tsing Yi, Morrison Hill, Tuen Mun, Chai Wan, Haking Wong, Lee Wai Lee, Sha Tin, Kwai Chung and Kwun Tong. The employment rates were based on those seeking employment.

Meanwhile, the VTC found that as high as 96 per cent of the 1999 pre-employment course graduates from the VTC's training centres had secured full-time employment by January this year.

Graduates of the Automobile, Gas, Printing and Welding Industry Training Centres attained a 100 per cent employment rate while the employment figures for the Hospitality and Textile Industry Training Centres were well above 98 per cent.

"Considering that the Hong Kong economy is still in the recovery process, we find the employment situations of the VTC's graduates very encouraging," a VTC spokesman said.

The average gross monthly income receivable by the employed higher diploma graduates was $9,404, diploma/technician level certificate graduates $7,551 and craft level certificate graduates $5,784, compared to $10,127, $8,206 and $5,941 in 1998 respectively.

As the labour market was continuing to adjust to the dampened economy through lay-offs and wage cuts, it was not surprising to find that the average income earned by the three groups of employed IVE graduates were in the range of three to eight per cent decline, the spokesman commented.

The survey also revealed that the percentage of higher diploma and diploma/technician level certificate graduates furthering their studies had risen from 14 per cent to 16 per cent and 24 per cent to 26 per cent respectively.

For the first time, the IVE will be admitting its full-time students for the academic year 2000/01 independent of the Joint Admissions Scheme for Post-secondary Institutions' Courses (JASPIC). More than 67,300 applicants, equivalent to 48 per cent of the 140,000 secondary school students sitting the HKCE examinations, had submitted their applications in the recruitment exercise in March.

This also represents a significant increase of 23 per cent over a year earlier when some 55,000 people applied for IVE courses through JASPIC.

The VTC spokesman said apparently students showed a growing interest in taking vocationally-oriented training with the new IVE, which was formed by the VTC in 1999 by merging the former two technical colleges and seven technical institutes with the aim of providing quality programmes to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to secure gainful employment.

Employment statistics of IVE graduates of 1999

Employment Rate

Highest Seven Employment Rates by Discipline

Average Gross Monthly Income(2)

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