[News from Institutions]Number of competitors surges in Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition 2024
Passionate secondary students compete in 7 skills trades

The Vocational Training Council (VTC), the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Clothing Industry Training Authority (CITA) jointly organised the Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition 2024 to introduce to secondary school students vocational skills and better prepare them for future career planning. Nearly 200 students from 55 secondary schools joined seven skills trades namely 3D Digital Game Art, Fashion Technology, Hairdressing, Mechatronics, Pâtisserie and Confectionery, Visual Merchandising, and Wall and Floor Tiling. 

The winners were commended at the Prize Presentation Ceremony last Saturday (November 23) (List of winners as attached). Many of them felt fulfilled and attributed the outstanding performance to their readiness to act, guidance from mentors, persistent training, and above all, passion. The competition also broadened their horizons and helped their career planning. 

Chairman of the Standing Committee on Youth Skills Competition, Dr Roy CHUNG expressed his gratitude to the participating secondary schools, adding that the competition has allowed more students to have a better understanding of the Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and inspired them to think about their career aspirations at an earlier stage. Dr CHUNG added that the pre-competition trainings had cultivated students’ interest in vocational skills by giving them practical and hands-on experience, thereby preparing their future career in various fields such as innovation technology, engineering and design. He encouraged students to further develop their skills and interests so they could realise their potential and showcase skills excellence.

Following the success of the inaugural competition two years ago, the Hong Kong Junior Skills Competition returned with greater support and enthusiasm. Nearly 200 students from 55 secondary schools participated in the competition this year, a threefold increase in both the number of contestants and participating schools. The schools nominated students of different grade levels to compete individually for the top three places in seven competition trades. Junior Secondary Group and Senior Secondary Group were available in Fashion Technology, Hairdressing, Pâtisserie and Confectionery, and Wall and Floor Tiling, while 3D Digital Game Art, Mechatronics and Visual Merchandising were only open for senior secondary students. All the competitions were concluded in April and May, preceded by briefings and training sessions which helped students familiarise with the relevant skills and competition requirements.

POON Ka-lam, a Secondary 5 student at Hong Kong and Kowloon Kaifong Women’s Association Sun Fong Chung College, won the Championship in the Senior Secondary Group of Hairdressing trade. Inspired by her father who owns a hair salon, POON has developed an interest in hairstyling from a young age. Three years ago, she began her hairdressing training by her father and she realised that a curling iron could create varied effects with different heating times and temperatures. She also experienced the transformative power of Korean and western hairstyles, which further enhanced her interest in hairstyling. 

At the competition, students were asked to design a wavy bridal hairstyle with a theme of romance. As she had little experience in this hairstyle, POON felt a bit confused. Fortunately, the organiser arranged an instructor to teach some techniques, which helped POON polish her skills in sideburn braids and three-dimensional styling, and encouraged her to set a challenging goal for the competition. POON also thanked her parents, who sat by her side when she practised late into the night. She relished the sense of accomplishment that came with pursuing her passion, and she has decided to continue her studies and develop her career in hairdressing.

SZETO Lok-yi, the “little master chef” of Lock Tao Secondary School, is the Champion of the Junior Secondary Group in Pâtisserie and Confectionery trade. As a food lover, she enjoys making western pastries at home in her spare time, and she can always find satisfaction in every dessert she makes. Through the competition, SZETO honed valuable soft skills such as time management and task analysis techniques. Roger FOK, Chief Instructor of Food Preparation (International) Section of International Culinary Institute (ICI), a member institution of VTC, coached the contestants in the pre-competition trainings. He praised the young people for being dedicated and diligent in the training, noting that some contestants would seek feedback to understand their area of improvement. He hopes students can discover their culinary talent and passion through different skills competitions, and will continue developing their skills.

LAU Wing-yuk, a Secondary 6 student at Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College, won the first runner-up in the Senior Secondary Group of 3D Digital Game Art trade. LAU has been passionate in drawing, especially in Japanese and Korean anime art styles since her childhood. She always carries a notebook with her to sketch whenever inspiration strikes. She even studied Japanese so she could better understand the online learning materials which help sharpen her drawing skills. In the competition, contestants were asked to design characters, settings and props for a video game, and LAU created a primeval forest as the key setting, and a squirrel and a guerrilla fighter character armed with bone and sickle props. Through the competition, she gained experience in 3D modeling, texturing, and animation, and she expressed that she would aim for a career in advertising or poster design in the future. 

TAM Chong-ling Joan, Principal of LAU’s school, said the school attached great importance to STEAM education. While it pioneered 3D animation as a compulsory subject for Secondary 1 to 3 students in 2008, the school has recently enriched these courses with Artificial Intelligence (AI) content. The school also has a 3D Computer Animation Society, teacher-in-charge WONG Chak-ting added that the society not only taught students animation design but also cultivated practical skills like storytelling and character design. The school also encouraged students to enhance their skills through joining different competitions.

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

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