Public enjoy wide range of skills-inspired activities at VTC Skills Fiesta

Visitors of all ages enjoyed a fun-filled day out at West Kowloon Cultural District’s Harbourside Lawn today (22 October) when the Vocational Training Council (VTC) held a “VTC Skills Fiesta”. Echoing the “Happy Hong Kong” campaign, with support of the Education Bureau, the Fiesta featured more than 30 performances and booths including stage shows, creative workshops, cultural experience activities and innovative games. Its aim was to showcase the multi-faceted talents of students pursuing Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and enable the public to experience the fun of trying out different skills for themselves.

Officiating guests at today’s opening ceremony included Financial Secretary Mr Paul CHAN; President of the Legislative Council The Hon Andrew LEUNG; and VTC’s Chairman Mr Tony TAI; VTC’s former Chairman Dr Roy CHUNG; VTC’s Deputy Chairman Mr Paul CHONG and VTC’s Executive Director Mr Donald TONG.

In addressing the event, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul CHAN, said that today’s event showcased the talents of VPET students in various areas, as it transformed their professional skills and creative craftsmanship into a series of thrilling and enjoyable performances, interactive games, and experiential activities. The event allowed members of the public to gain a better understanding of VPET. He said, ‘The economy of Hong Kong is moving towards diversification and high value-added development. VPET can provide young people with quality and diversified learning pathways with multiple entry and exit points. This would enable them to acquire the professional skills and knowledge needed in the workplace, laying a solid foundation for their future employment and further studies.’ He added that the Government aimed to provide more exploration opportunities for young people, thus allowing them to identify their own interests and aspirations.

Mr TAI noted in his welcome address that VPET was matching the pace of industry development and emphasising practical skills so as to cultivate talent with the right professional knowledge and skills for society and help the city’s industries enhance their competitiveness. Today’s fiesta was a good opportunity to showcase the achievements of VPET, VTC students integrated creativity with professional knowledge and abilities to present today's activities with a blend of education and enjoyment. Mr TAI added.

Following the opening ceremony, Mr Chan and other officiating guests enjoyed a series of culinary and catering performances by teachers and students from the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI), Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) and International Culinary Institute (ICI), such as Chinese flour fruit sculpting and creating a “Five Senses Molecular Cocktail”. Mr Chan also visited Halloween-inspired hand and body painting booth by students of Youth College’s Diploma of Vocational Education (Beauty Care) programme, and the “Smart Hospitality Express” display developed by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) Hospitality Discipline, as well as “Bumper Pig”, a scientific ball game designed by graduates of Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI). He chatted with the students to exchange ideas.

Enjoying free admission to all programmes, visitors to the VTC Skills Fiesta could explore four activity zones, namely “Art & Culture Corner”, “All-Star Kitchen”, “Smart Fitness Station” and “Pet & Kids Club”, as well as collect exquisite gifts and take photos at various “check-in points”. Many of the visitors brought families and friends to join the event and participate together in the wide variety of interactive games and creative workshops on offer.

The Art & Culture Corner proved especially popular with young hipsters, who could unleash their creativity by designing and making unique handicrafts. At the Contemporary Jewellery Workshop, participants had the chance to mix-and-match dazzling beads then weave them on metal wire under the guidance of HKDI students, making beautiful “dream catcher” jewellery. Meanwhile students from the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) had designed fabric bookmarks in the shape of Chinese costumes which participants could decorate with their favourite patterns. Young generation visitors also enjoyed dressing up in cheongsams with matching props and accessories to photograph themselves in traditional Chinese style.

The All-Star Kitchen presented by HTI, CCI and ICI teachers and students demonstrated how to transform simple ingredients into scrumptious cuisine. For example, the “Five Senses Molecular Cocktail” booth showcased molecular cooking techniques and multisensory mixology to create unique drinks offering an exceptional aroma and visual experience. Students also demonstrated traditional Chinese flour fruit sculpting, using only flour, water and other edible ingredients to make colourful dough and shape it into lifelike fruit.

The Smart Fitness Station was a particular hit with sports lovers, who were able to take on a series of fitness and health challenges such as sit-ups, shoulder flexibility tests, and balance and stretching training, as well as try out smart bicycles and smart boxing in the “Smart Hospitality Express” booth set up by IVE’s Hospitality Discipline. Smart technology was used to analyse visitors’ performances and physical condition so that they could create their own “Skill Passport”. After completing the exercises, participants could also visit a Sports Therapy Corner where THEi teachers and students demonstrated massage, stretching and therapy techniques to prevent sports injuries.

West Kowloon Cultural District is a well-known pets’ paradise. IVE’s Health and Life Sciences Discipline set up a Pet Fun Zone, comprising various workshops and activities for pets and their owners such as Dog Massage, DOGA and Dog-walking Training. In another area, children could become little scientists by participating in various STEAM workshops designed by IVE Engineering Discipline, a hands‐on experience allowing them to make mini-coolers and try knot-tying. They could also have lots of fun racing miniature cars fuelled by hydrogen.

Also held at today’s VTC Skills Fiesta was a “Skills for Community” Recognition Ceremony to acknowledge VPET students whose achievements have made notabale contributions to society. Some 40 outstanding student projects involving more than 100 individual VTC students were recognised under three themes of “Well-being”, “Sustainable Future” and “Inclusive Society”. The award-winning groups were able to share their happiness afterwards with industry partners and the public.

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 also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 13 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 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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