[News from Institutions] Secondary Students Showcase Talents across Nine Trades at “Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition 2026”
Connecting Youth Interests with Industry Development

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC) jointly organised the “Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition 2026” to give secondary school students early exposure to industry-relevant skills and deepen their understanding of the future workplace. Around 140 students from over 40 schools competed across nine skill trades, namely “3D Digital Game Art”, “Autonomous Mobile Robotics”, “Car Painting”, “Fashion Technology”, “Graphic Design Technology”, “Hotel Reception”, “Joinery”, “Mobile Applications Development”, and “Unmanned Aerial Systems”.

The Prize Presentation Ceremony was held last Saturday (4 July) to recognise the outstanding achievements of the winners (list of winners as attached). The competition demonstrated how skills bridge students’ interests with industry needs. One winner pursued his interest by self-learning design and tailoring techniques, clinching the Championship in the “Fashion Technology” trade; a competitor strengthened his skills in drone operation and maintenance through the competition, enhancing his ability to respond under pressure; while another competitor discovered the enjoyment of hands-on work through car painting, broadening his pathway for further study and career development.

Honorary Advisor of the Standing Committee on Youth Skills Competition, Herman HUI, said that mastering skills was invaluable. He emphasised that the significance of the “Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition” went far beyond the competition itself, while hoping that skills training could provide meaningful inspiration for students’ life planning. He encouraged students to take this opportunity to deepen their understanding of skills, further explore their strengths, and better prepare for their future careers.

Four of the nine trades — “3D Digital Game Art”, “Car Painting”, “Fashion Technology”, and “Hotel Reception” — were open to senior secondary students only. The remaining five — “Autonomous Mobile Robotics”, “Graphic Design Technology”, “Joinery”, “Mobile Applications Development”, and “Unmanned Aerial Systems” — were divided into junior and senior secondary groups. Schools nominated students, based on their study levels, to participate in the competition on an individual basis. All trades reflected current industry demand for skilled talent while catering to the interest of secondary school students.

DENG Wo-sun, a student at Caritas St. Joseph Secondary School, won the Championship in the senior secondary group of “Fashion Technology” trade. His interest in apparel design stemmed from his passion for hiking and camping, which inspired him to create an ultralight backpack tailored to his own needs while saving the cost of purchasing one. From sourcing suitable fabrics, learning tailoring and pattern-making techniques online, to consulting teachers and seeking advice from local backpack designers, he gradually deepened his understanding of different components such as base panels and shoulder straps, ultimately producing a unique design. 

Motivated by his passion for design and encouraged by his teachers, DENG took part in the competition. He found it highly challenging as contestants were required to apply draping techniques on a mannequin to create a prototype of a designated dress design using specified fabrics, while also creating the back design of the dress. Both aesthetics and functionality were essential. In addition to the basic sewing skills acquired during his junior secondary studies, he thanked his teachers for their guidance during the competition preparation period, which helped build his confidence and enhance his technical abilities. Looking ahead, he aspires to further enhance his skills in apparel and fashion design and create a wider range of works.

LU Haoxian from Hong Kong Taoist Association Yuen Yuen Institute No. 3 Secondary School was awarded second runner-up in the senior secondary group of the newly introduced “Unmanned Aerial Systems” trade this year. As a member of his school’s STEAM club, LU is skilled in operating various types of unmanned aerial systems, including aerial photography drones and first-person view drones, and has also assisted in filming school videos. He said that operating drones offered a unique perspective from the sky, and that viewing the landscape from above had greatly sparked his passion in drone technology. Despite his experience, LU remarked that the competition was challenging, as contestants were required not only to identify and replace faulty components — such as frames, flight controllers, cameras, and receivers — but also to assemble the drones, conduct test flights, and complete assigned tasks.

He said that his drone had encountered a minor collision during the competition. He responded decisively by landing and relaunching it, ultimately completing tasks such as obstacle-navigation within the allotted time. The experience bolstered his ability to stay calm and adapt under pressure. He also greatly appreciated the pre-competition training arranged by the organisers, which enhanced both his techniques and problem-solving abilities.

Winston YEUNG, Head of the Department of Engineering at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) at Lee Wai Lee and Chai Wan campuses, serves as the trade expert for “Unmanned Aerial Systems”. He mentioned that, with the rapid development of the low-altitude economy, unmanned aerial systems had been widely applied across multiple sectors, including logistics, maintenance, photography, construction, and were recognised as a vital “future skill”. He encouraged young people to pursue their interests, engage in drone operation to explore and deepen their knowledge in this area, thereby broadening their pathways for further studies and future careers.

ZHANG Weixiang, first runner-up in the senior secondary group of “Car Painting”, had previously participated mainly in mathematics and programming competitions. Keen to explore new skills this time, he found car painting refreshing and fascinating for its emphasis on hands-on practice. He described the experience as a “surprise”, noting that achieving a paint finish requires “a steady hand”, “quick executions”, and “a calm mindset”. He also learnt to use tools such as spray gun, sander, and sandpaper, and to apply techniques suited to different types of paint. Currently studying at Tsuen Wan Government Secondary School, ZHANG had previously leaned towards theory-oriented subjects in his study plan. The competition broadened his subject choices, enabling him to discover programmes that emphasise both theory and practice and adopt a diverse approach to learning.

Debuted in 2022, the Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition aims to promote VPET and introduce the WorldSkills Competition to secondary school students, while enhancing public awareness of VPET. 

Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge, and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 14 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), 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), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT),  the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI),  the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Pro-Act by VTC, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.

Website: www.vtc.edu.hk

Media enquiries：2836 1869