Making the jump from Form Seven to higher education marks a milestone in the lives of students. Besides the novelty of attending a new school, college or university, this is the first time they get to decide what they want to study.
As many school-leavers are 18 years old and still discovering their capabilities and preferences, it can be nerve-racking to choose a career at this stage in their lives.
As an alternative route to university, the Vocational Training Council (VTC), the largest vocational education and training group in Hong Kong, provides students with hands-on experience and industry based knowledge.
To help students navigate through an abundance of courses, the VTC holds talks at secondary schools and produces a 100-page course selection guidebook, which outlines curricula, rationale, career prospects and a further studies pathway.
The VTC is made up of a group of 12 academic institutions, ranging from the Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge, and the School for Higher and Professional Education, to the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute and the Maritime Services Training Institute. One of the most popular institutes within the group is the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE). Here, students can select from nine disciplines, from applied science and business administration to design, hospitality and industrial engineering.
So why choose IVE? The education adviser of the VTC, Leung Yam-shing said: 'We have our edge, which is very vocational and profession orientated with strong links with each industry. We develop courses by involving industry views. We know what the industry wants, so we can train students right.'