News Highlights

The National Putonghua Proficiency Test is the most recognised assessment for Putonghua competence, and the certificates awarded at different levels are important references for organisations and companies on the employees’ proficiency level. Today (31 May) the Vocational Training Council (VTC) signed a collaboration agreement with the Mandarin Training and Testing Centre of the State Language Commission to establish the VTC Putonghua Training and Test Centre for administering the national-level assessment. 
 
Representing the two parties, Professor YAO Xi-shuang, Director of the Mandarin Training and Testing Centre of the State Language Commission and Dr Carrie WIILIS, VTC Executive Director, signed the collaboration agreement in the presence of LI Wei-hong, Vice Minister of Education and Director of the State Language Commissionand Dr The Honourable Andrew LEUNG, VTC Chairman. Professor Yao was delighted with the collaboration. He said the VTC was the 12^th partner of the Mandarin Training and Testing Centre of the State Language Commission in Hong Kong and the only organisation other than the local higher education institutes granted the permission to operate the state-level Putonghua Proficiency Test. Professor Yao continued, “We hope to enhance the Putonghua proficiency of the students pursuing vocational education and training in Hong Kong through our collaboration.” Dr Willis, on the other hand, said: “The collaboration marks a big step forward for Putonghua teaching of the VTC where our students can take the most authoritative language test in the new centre for the nationally-recognised certificate conducive to their future studies and employment. Our teaching staff can also raise their Putonghua proficiency continuously through the tests.”
 
The VTC Putonghua Training and Test Centre will organise 2 rounds of tests annually.  The tests will be conducted by assessors who are appointed by the Mandarin Training and Testing Centre of the State Language Commission.  The first round will be held in September this year.  To provide one-stop training and testing service, the Centre will offer a series of test preparation courses and workshops designed in accordance with the test syllabus. Upon completion of the training, testing service will be arranged for the participants.  In addition, VTC will collaborate with the Mandarin Training and Testing Centre of State Language Commission in conducting research related to Putonghua training and testing, and will organise scholarly exchange activities to raise the general Putonghua standard.
 
Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council（VTC）is the largest vocational education, training and professional development group in Hong Kong with over 210,000 students and trainees each year. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working adults to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide valued supports to industries for their manpower development.   VTC has 12 member institutions including the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), Pro-Act by VTC, Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre (HITDC), Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI), Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC), Yeo Chei Man Senior Secondary School and Shine Skills Centre.

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