VPET Stories of Impact

1936

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The first publicly-funded post-secondary technical institution, the Government Trade School, was established in Wood Road, Wan Chai, in 1936. The Red Brick House, home of the school, was refurbished and incorporated into the Annex Building of the Morrison Hill Technical Institute at a later date.

1969

Following the inception of the first technical institute in 1969, the Morrison Hill Technical Institute, four more technical institutes were in turn established within the 1970s, providing vocational and skill-based programmes.

1982

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Establishment of the VTC in 1982 ushered in a new chapter of VPET in Hong Kong. In 1990, the VTC Tower was built in the place of the former Red Brick House and has been at the heart of the steady development of VPET over the years.

1982

At the first year of inception, the VTC has in place 19 Training Boards and six General Committees, encompassing major industries of Hong Kong. The Boards and Committees provide valuable input on the manpower needs of respective industries as well as curriculum design of VTC programmes.

1984

In 1984, the Kowloon Bay Training Centre Complex was set up to provide trainees with more comprehensive vocational training. The Pokfulam Training Centre Complex also came into operation in 1992.

1985

Among VTC's early generation of graduates, Cr Daniel Shum, graduate of the 1st technical institute (Morrison Hill Technical Institute) in 1985, shared his story which started from the vocational origin.

1990

Prof Kenneth Leung, an outstanding VTC alumnus graduated in 1990, is now among the Top 10 Asian Scientists.

1993

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The VTC set up the Hong Kong Technical College (Tsing Yi) and upgraded the Chai Wan Technical Institute to Hong Kong Technical College (Chai Wan) to offer higher diploma programmes in 1993. In 1996, the first cohort of higher diploma students of the VTC was conferred the award in the first joint graduation ceremony of technical colleges and technical institutes.

1994

VTC hosted the first VTC Outstanding Apprentice Award Ceremony in 1994 to honour outstanding apprentices and encourage them to apply and contribute what they have learned. In 2014, the VTC Earn & Learn Scheme was launched to enable young people to study and work in parallel thereby accumulating relevant experiences needed.

1996

VTC started to offer higher diploma programmes in the 1990s. Keith Wan, the first cohort graduate of higher diploma in 1996, shared his story.

1997

Another outstanding VTC alumnus Ng Ping-hei, who graduated in 1997, shared his story with a dispensing career.

1997

Hailed as the “Skills Olympics”, the biennial WorldSkills Competition is a significant event in the skills sector. Team Hong Kong first took part in the WorldSkills Competition held in Switzerland in 1997 and won three Bronze prizes and four Medallions for Excellence.

1998

In 1998, the VTC and the ITE signed an MOU to foster exchange and collaborations on vocational and professional education and training. Since 2007, the VTC and the ITE have co-hosted the International Student Seminar, providing a platform for students of both sides to exchange knowledge and strengthen whole person development through intercultural activities.

1999

The VTC merged the two technical colleges and seven technical institutes into the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) in 1999.

1999

Among the first cohort IVE graduate in 1999, Taylor Yip who founded an IT education centre to pass on knowledge and skills is a shining example.

2000

In 2000, the VTC founded the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) to train talent in Chinese culinary skills. By providing systematic training in Chinese cuisine, the Institute provides opportunities for aspirants and in-service chefs to obtain and upgrade their professional qualifications.

2001

The VTC started to offer top-up degree programmes in collaboration with overseas and Mainland universities as early as 2001, targeting higher diploma graduates of our member institutions. In 2003, SHAPE was established and the number of partnering universities was extended to 11.

2002

The VTC joined hands with Guangzhou and Macao to launch the first Guangzhou/Hong Kong/Macao Youth Skills Competition in 2002. Following the entry of Chengdu in 2010, the Guangzhou/Hong Kong/Macao/Chengdu Youth Skills Competition was organised with a view to providing a platform for young talent to demonstrate their skills and exchange technical know-how.

2002

In recognition of the outstanding achievements of VTC alumni in their professional fields, and their contributions to VPET and society, VTC organised the First Outstanding Alumni Award Presentation Ceremony in 2002. As at 2017, a total of 28 VTC alumni have received the distinguished award.

2004

The VTC set up the first Youth College in So Uk Estate, Sham Shui Po, in 2004 to provide school leavers at Secondary 3 level or above with full-time programmes. Youth College has since grown to cover eight campuses.

2004

The VTC was endowed with scholarships donated and supported by various partnering organisations over the years. Among them, the Alistair Harvey Foundation Scholarship established in 2004 funds bachelor’s degree studies in the UK for full-time higher diploma graduates from designated disciplines, opening doors to diversified opportunities for students to unleash their potential.

2007

The VTC launched the Structured Whole Person Development Programme to incorporate elements of whole person development into the curriculum. Student development including Road to Marathon, HSBC Speak for Success Programme, IVElite, Wofoo and Leaders’ Network engenders positive values and enhances the soft skills of students, grooming them to become the 21st Century new talent.

2007

The VTC established the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) which admitted its first intake in 2007 to spearhead the development of talent for creative industries, thereby raising the competitiveness of local practitioners. Its campus at Tiu Keng Leng came into operation in 2010.

2007

The highest recognition by the VTC, the VTC Honorary Fellowship honours distinguished industry leaders who have made significant contributions to VPET and society. Over 80 preeminent personalities have been conferred VTC Honorary Fellowship since first established in 2007.

2008

The first cohort of Youth College graduate came in the late 2000s. Among them was Kaman Yeung who graduated in 2008 and later obtained a higher diploma and a bachelor's degree, and became an aircraft maintenance engineer.

2008

The VTC actively strengthens collaboration with Mainland institutions and partners to extend the professional development opportunities for young people. Since 2008, the VTC has been collaborating with the Shenzhen Polytechnic in providing the Electrical Services Stream under the Higher Diploma in Electrical Engineering programme.

2010

2010 was a year when our HKDI graduate made their mark in the international arena of design. Alan Yip was the first HKDI graduate who won the Red Dot Award, a prestigious international design competition, with his innovative design.

2011

In 2011, the VTC opened The T Hotel, a training hotel operated by students. Providing a vocational training platform outside the classroom, the hotel raises the learning effectiveness of students of the Hotel and Tourism Institute.

2012

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Established in 2012, THEi provides a diversity of vocationally-oriented and technology-blended degree. The new campus of THEi (Chai Wan) was opened in 2019 to provide a professional and interactive learning environment for students pursuing degree programmes through the VPET pathway.

2013

Teachers and students of IVE have since 2009 developed a series of solar-powered cars all going by the name of SOPHIE. The team first took part in the World Solar Challenge with SOPHIE in 2013. Over the years, the team has continued to optimise the function and performance of the solar car and has now built the seventh generation of SOPHIE.

2014

Founded in 2014, the International Culinary Institute (ICI) aims at developing talent conversant with international culinary arts and project management skills. Furnished with professional teaching and learning facilities, the ICI campus came into operation in 2018 and has helped students grasp the essence of different cuisines, contributing to nurturing of new talent for the industry.

2014

The VTC hosted the first WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition and Carnival in 2014 to promote VPET, drawing a turnout of over 25,000 onlookers. Featuring a variety of activities including experiential activities, skills demonstrations and sharing, the event allowed the public to experience the fun of skills and raised the awareness of VPET.

2014

Referencing the successful models of Germany and Switzerland, the VTC implemented, with the support of the Government and industries, the Earn ＆ Learn Scheme in 2014 to provide young people with systematic classroom learning and on-the-job training.

2015

Many VTC graduates emerged with flying colours in international competitions with their excellent skills. Roger Fok, a graduate of Hotel and Tourism Institute, is a good example. In 2015, Roger became the first-ever Hong Kong professional pastry chef who made it to the final 10 competitors of the World Chocolate Masters competition.

2017

The 12-storey VTC Halls of Residence (Tsing Yi) , accommodating students undertaking full time Degree, Higher Diploma and Diploma of Foundation Studies programmes was opened in the Academic Year 2016/17.

2017

Skills change lives. Pearl So, an HKDI graduate of 2015 and a WorldSkills winner of Medallion for Excellence, was the first Hong Kong competitor elected by the WorldSkills Champions Trust in 2017 as an ambassador to promote WorldSkills and how skills open doors to opportunities for young people worldwide.

2018

To meet different interests and aspirations of students having completed Secondary 3 or above, the VTC provided the first Vocational Baccalaureate Programme (VB) through Youth College (International) in the Academic Year 2018/19.

2019

With technology advancement, women are also enjoying career advancement in STEM industries. A shining example is Joanna Kwok who graduated from IVE in 2007. Joanna became the first woman in Hong Kong to qualify as a chief engineer of seagoing vessels in 2019.

2020

In 2020, the VTC, in collaboration with Education Bureau, organised the first digital VPET International Conference in Hong Kong, gathering VPET leaders, academics and industry heavyweights to explore the development strategies of VPET and skills training.

2021

The VTC’s Fourth 8-Year Strategic Plan themed “Skilling for the Future” which covers the period from 2021/22 to 2028/29 charts the sustainable development of VPET.