Vocational Training Council and Dorsett Hospitality International Sign Memorandum of Understanding: First Tertiary Education Institution to Partner with the Hospitality Group to Nurture Vocational Professionals

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) and Dorsett Hospitality International (DHI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 22, 2025. VTC is the first tertiary education institution in Hong Kong to establish a cooperation agreement with DHI, to promote vocational and professional education and training (VPET). The two parties will collaborate closely in various areas, including providing VTC students with learning and industrial attachment opportunities, further aligning VTC's curriculum with industry needs, and making reference to DHI's ESG-related suggestions with a view to support the development of the hotel and related industries. Over the years, DHI has been a key partner of VTC, offering scholarships, industry visits, internships, and employment opportunities to VTC students, fostering their diverse development. In the realm of innovation and technology education, DHI has actively supported VTC, contributing to the development of the VTC Innovation and Technology Co-creation Centre (ITCC) as a collaborative space for students, industry, and the community to develop creative and industry-relevant products. In recognition of DHI's generous donation, VTC named the centre "VTC Innovation and Technology Co-creation Centre powered by Dorsett Hospitality International" in 2022.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at the Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel in Hong Kong. It was witnessed by Dr. Eric Liu, Acting Executive Director of VTC, and Ms. Winnie Chiu, BBS, JP, Chairperson and Executive Director of DHI. The MoU was signed by Dr. Alaina Shum, Deputy Executive Director of VTC, and Mr. Frankie Lai, Chief Operating Officer of DHI.

In his address, Dr. Eric Liu, Acting Executive Director of VTC, remarked that as the largest Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) provider in Hong Kong, VTC is committed to providing advanced and industry-relevant VPET. With the strong support of industry partners, VTC has cultivated numerous professionals over the years, contributing to Hong Kong's economic prosperity. He mentioned that Dorsett Hospitality International has always been an important partner of VTC, offering various scholarships, industry visits, internships, and employment opportunities for VTC students, thereby promoting their diverse development and encouraging them to transform innovative ideas into applicable technological projects that benefit society. The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone, symbolising the strengthening of cooperation between the two parties and opening a new chapter in promoting talent development in Hong Kong.

Ms. Winnie Chiu, BBS, JP, Chairperson and Executive Director of DHI, stated, “I firmly believe in the power of education and life-long learning. This MoU is a significant investment in our mission to create positive impacts. As Hong Kong's largest vocational education institution, VTC is crucial in nurturing local talent, and DHI is honoured to have VTC as the first tertiary education institution in Hong Kong to sign a MoU with us. Our goal is to help young individuals integrate into the workforce and improve Hong Kong's employment environment. DHI is dedicated to promoting education and technological skills among youth, ensuring their development aligns with current demands. We hope to leverage our experience to help students understand the needs and realities of the hospitality industry, both locally and internationally. Hong Kong, as the world's freest economy and the third-largest international financial centre, serves as a bridge between the East and the West. As a proud Hong Kong entrepreneur, I feel responsible for contributing to the city’s growth and the hospitality sector. Over the past decade, we have expanded our global portfolio from 11 to 63 properties, showcasing our strengths in property development and technological innovation, and more importantly, reflecting our relentless efforts in self-improving.”

According to the MoU, DHI and VTC will enhance their cooperation in VPET, aiming to establish a quality talent pool to support the development of Hong Kong's hospitality industry. DHI will provide apprenticeship training for VTC students through which they can receive systematic on-the-job training. Additionally, DHI will offer industrial attachments and mentorship for students of Higher Diploma and Bachelor's Degree programmes in hotel management and culinary arts, helping them to leverage their strengths while addressing their weaknesses. Both parties will work together to co-organise career exploration activities for secondary school students and the public, promoting career planning and industry exploration through initiatives such as hotel visits and job tasting activities.

Both VTC and DHI place a strong emphasis on in-service training. Through staff exchange activities, DHI team will share with VTC staff their firsthand information and experiences regarding the latest industry operations and development trends, further enriching VTC staff’s understanding of the industry's talent demands and the quality of training. In turn, VTC will assist DHI in optimising its employee training programmes to bolster DHI's on-the-job training efforts.

Furthermore, the scope of cooperation also covers the continued support for VTC's member institution, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), as well as VTC's Health and Life Sciences Discipline to conduct research at the "D20 Roots", a farmland at Sai Kung sponsored by DHI's parent company, Far East Consortium International Limited (stock code 35.HK). This initiative aims to facilitate research related to traditional Chinese medicine, environmental management and sustainable development, thereby promoting the advancement of traditional Chinese medicine and the preservation of Chinese culture.

This partnership will not only provide valuable learning opportunities for VTC students but also inject new vitality into the hospitality industry, cultivating more professional talents for Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and the nation.

About Vocational Training Council (VTC)
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

About Dorsett Hospitality International

Dorsett Hospitality International is one of the fastest-growing hotel groups in Asia. With 54 properties in 21 major cities across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan and Continental Europe, we offer a diverse international footprint alongside our strategic partners, Palasino Group and AGORA Hospitality Group. Our four core brands – Dorsett Hotels, Dao by Dorsett, d.Collection and Silka Hotels – aim to provide exceptional guest experiences while making positive impacts on our local communities. Additional properties are in the development pipeline. To learn more about Dorsett Hospitality International, visit: www.dorsetthospitality.com