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Chris Davis

School leavers can improve their qualifications either before or after they enter the job market

Not everyone leaves school with the qualifications they hoped    for. The Vocational Training Council (VTC) aims to help young people complete their education with  a wide range of programmes that could lead to a university education.

Alternatively, the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme, launched by the Labour Department in 2002, offers young people  between 15 and 24 years, whose  education  falls below  degree level, employment opportunities through job-related training schemes.

Vocational Training Council

Under the council, pre-employment and in-service education and training are provided by the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, the VTC School of Business and Information Systems and training and development centres. The council provides education and training to more than 160,000 students each year.

Operating from nine campuses and two centres  across Hong Kong, the Institute of Vocational Training offers higher diploma, diploma, foundation diploma and vocational certificate courses.

Full and part-time programmes include applied science, business administration, child education and community services, information technology, construction, design, printing, textiles and clothing, electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical manufacturing and industrial engineering, hotel and tourism services, and foundation courses.

Higher diplomas usually take  three years, diploma courses two years and foundation diploma courses a year.  Vocational certificate programmes are structured to provide specific job skills.

As part of an ongoing strategic plan, the institute will launch a number of new initiatives to enhance  the quality, relevance and responsiveness of its programmes.

These  include implementing a teaching and learning strategy to produce all-round graduates with a sound disciplinary knowledge and broad skills for employment and lifelong learning.

Job attachment programmes are  arranged  to ensure a smooth transition from study to work.

Graduates enjoy good employment prospects and  are well-received by industry.

Survey results show  they have achieved satisfactory career development and enjoy a progressive increase in monthly income.

Those  aspiring to higher qualifications also have plenty of opportunities. Students who wish to pursue further studies at degree level are provided with articulation arrangements,  locally and overseas.

The institute actively seeks  partnerships with local and overseas universities to provide education pathways for Higher Diploma graduates.

Several local universities admit these graduates to their degree programmes with varying degrees of credit transfer. These include the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the  Open University of Hong Kong.

The institute has also  negotiated with  several overseas universities to gain advanced standing for graduates.

The VTC School of Business recently launched a new initiative to provide more post-secondary, sub-degree places  with higher diploma programmes on a self-funded basis. The programme  provides more opportunities to obtain a quality sub-degree education leading to a higher qualification and a rewarding career.

Graduates are eligible to pursue a tailor-made, one year full-time or two year part-time top-up degree course in Hong Kong offered by overseas universities. These include Leeds Metropolitan University,  Queen Mary, University of London,  University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology,  University of Northumbria at Newcastle  (all in  Britain), and Swinburne University of Technology  and the Queensland University of Technology  (in Australia).

The VTC and the Open University of Hong Kong  offer two business top-up degree programmes with 240 third-year university places  in the coming  year.

Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme

For those who would rather enter the job market, the Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme aims to enhance the employability of young people, including work experience and job skills, by  providing on-the-job training.

Thousands of successful participants have worked with companies such as Wing On Department Stores, James Lang LaSalle and the Airport Authority. Many who have joined the job training scheme have been offered full-time employment.

The scheme is divided into three parts, starting with a 40-hour foundation course.  The second stage focuses on support services embracing pre-employment assessment, formulation of career plan, job matching and on-the-job support.  The third and key part of the scheme  gives on-the-job training for six to 12 months.  During the  training,  students can enrol in relevant vocational courses on a part-time basis. Subject to  90 per cent attendance or an examination pass, they can claim course and examination fees of up to $4,000.

Private institutions

Several private colleges  offer professional training, such as the Sara Beattie College. Sara Beattie College's one year Diploma in Professional Office Administration  covers four main areas: English language development, computer skills, business practice and personal development. The course also provides internships with respected companies.

In brief

The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education offers an alternative way of gaining a higher diploma or credits to enrol in a university degree programme.

The institute offers full- and part-time programmes, allowing participants flexibility and a choice of study schedules.

Its higher diploma, diploma and certificates are widely recognised by industry and respected by universities worldwide.

The Youth Work Experience and Training Scheme offers on-the-job training that

can lead to full-time employment.

Enrolling with the scheme can lead to a range of exciting job opportunities that a great many students may not be aware of.

Pre-employment training offered by the scheme is delivered by trained professionals who also monitor on-the-job training.



Training for life