The Education and Manpower Branch has been urged to clarify allegations of a possible closure of the Seamen's Training Centre (STC) and the scrapping of the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB).
The Hong Kong Shipping Daily reported that radical proposals, including the possible closure of the STC and MNTB, had been put forward in a draft consultant's report to the Vocational Training Council (VTC).
STC staff were told on Saturday that the centre was under-used and that 'regionalisation' or closure were options under consideration.
Hong Kong Shipowners' Association director Michael Farlie said the Education and Manpower Branch should move quickly to straighten out the matter.
'There must be a serious misunderstanding,' he said. 'I wonder whether the consultants are aware of the implications of such proposals?' It was reported that the consultancy firm, Fegal, Quince, Wicksteed (Asia), had consulted the industry with just a talk with Mr Farlie and only one visit to the STC by the consultant's team.
M. Hanson and Christopher Green of the consultancy firm were not available for comment.
