Skilling for the Future (2020 Update)

Established Quality Standards and International Benchmarking All member institutions of the VTC ensure the quality of their learning programmes under the same philosophy and framework of quality assurance (QA). The VTC’s QA system focuses on achieving quality in their offered programmes and their support services. To a lesser degree, this QA system also covers consultancy and research intended to help improve industry links, as well as to keep learning and teaching up-to-date and relevant. In May 2008, the HKSAR Government launched the QF with the objective of enhancing the competitiveness of the local workforce. Comprised of a seven-level hierarchy that orders and supports different qualifications, the QF facilitates communication between academic, vocational, and continuing education by providing a comprehensive network of learning pathways. The VTC is firmly committed to promoting VPET through the provision of quality vocational education and training opportunities, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness of the local workforce. As a staunch supporter of the QF, the VTC helps in formulating the specifications of competency standards for various industries. It has been appointed as the Assessment Agency for the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Scheme, where an employee’s knowledge, skills and experience accumulated at work are recognised. The curriculum structure and content of VTC courses have been designed with reference to the competency standards specified by the QF. The clear and flexible progression pathways within the VTC are essential to students in their pursuit of lifelong learning. Students can construct and elevate their own career paths by undertaking the VTC’s quality-assured programmes and attaining higher qualifications. In addition to leading to formal qualifications from post-Secondary 3 to Degree levels, a number of the VTC’s VPET programmes are accredited by local and international professional bodies, including the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, and the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management. Students can also take professional examinations such as Alibaba Cloud Certified Associate in Information Technology, Autodesk AutoCAD Certified Professional in Design, and HKIBIM Certified Expert in Engineering to gain recognitions, paving the way for their professional development. 124