STUDENTS HAVE the option to take two-year diploma courses. Graduates who aspire to higher qualifications have many opportunities. The institutes help facilitate its graduates at all levels to progress through a well-defined path, either full time or part time, towards getting a higher diploma. Job attachment programmes will be arranged for students to facilitate a smooth transition from study to work. Graduates enjoy good employment prospects and are well received by industry. Despite the economic downturn in Hong Kong in recent years, employment rates of graduates have remained consistently high. The qualifications of the diploma and higher diploma awarded by the IVE (a merger of the Hong Kong Technical Colleges, former Technical Institutes) and the VTC School of Business and Information Systems (SBI) of the Vocational Training Council are all recognised by the government. Holders of these qualifications may apply for government posts requiring the equivalent qualifications.