The number of students applying to the Vocational Training Council (VTC), the city's largest vocational training course provider, has tripled from five years ago, with more than one-third of Form Seven students now exceeding minimum academic entry requirements.
The VTC is made up of 13 member institutions, with the Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) and the Hong Kong Design Institute offering higher diploma courses to A-level graduates.
'We have revised our entry requirements to one A-level or two Advanced Supplementary Level passes. Five years ago, they were only expected to complete their Form Seven studies,' says VTC education adviser Leung Yam-shing.
Form Seven students are opting for practical subjects, such as childcare studies, hotel studies, building services engineering, and programmes under the Department of Applied Science.
Armed with A-level results, Form Seven students can secure direct offers from schools by applying at the IVE Wan Chai and Cheung Sha Wan campuses from today until Friday. There will also be VTC 'info-stations' at the Mong Kok, Sha Tin and Sheung Shui MTR stations on those days, and at the Tuen Mun Town Plaza. Annual tuition fees vary from HK$22,000 to more than HK$40,000.
Higher diplomas are widely recognised and up to 40 per cent of higher diploma students pursue top-up studies immediately after graduation.
Ninety-six per cent of full-time higher diploma graduates applying for places on degree courses at local and overseas universities manage to secure a place.