VTC Executive Director Donald Tong elected as WorldSkills Board member

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) announced that Executive Director Donald Tong was elected as a Board member – Strategic Development of WorldSkills International at the WorldSkills General Assembly held in Croatia on 13 October 2025. This appointment reflects international recognition of Hong Kong’s commitment in promoting vocational and professional education and training (VPET), skills development and youth empowerment, as well as the city’s contributions to skills excellence in the international arena.

 “It is my honour to join the WorldSkills Board and contribute to the strategic development of the organisation. Skills can change lives and promote social advancement. Drawing on my experience in promoting VPET and skills training in Hong Kong, I look forward to leveraging this international platform to foster skills advancement and global collaboration, contributing to innovation and development in skills education locally and globally.” Mr Tong said, adding that he is committed to promoting WorldSkills as the international platform for economies to develop new skills or update skills standards, as well as encouraging economies to adopt the WorldSkills Occupational Standards.

Under Mr Tong’s leadership, the VTC has been working closely with the Education Bureau to promote local VPET development and talent training. In recent years, he has actively participated in WorldSkills initiatives and led Hong Kong in hosting the WorldSkills Strategic Development Committee Opt-in (SDCOI) meetings in July this year.

The Education Bureau welcomed Mr Tong’s successful election to the board of WorldSkills International, which empowers Hong Kong’s VPET to shine on the international stage. The Hong Kong SAR Government adopts the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development, providing diversified learning and employment opportunities. The Government, industry, and institutions will continue to work together to nurture more high-quality talents with applied skills, driving Hong Kong’s development.

WorldSkills International is the global leader in skills education and competitions. Its Board oversees the organisation’s operations, while the Strategic Development Committee is responsible for strategic development, supporting the organisation’s vision, mission, and objectives, fostering engagement among Members and stakeholders, and promoting skills development worldwide.

The WorldSkills Competition, also hailed as the “Skills Olympics”, is organised by the WorldSkills International every two years. It is the world’s largest international skills event, aiming to promote competency standards and vocational education. Since the first participation in 1997, Hong Kong has won four Gold medals, two Silvers, seven Bronzes, and 81 Medallions for Excellence. The next WorldSkills Competition will take place in Shanghai in September next year.

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