Courses enhance careers

A CITY and Guilds certificate can be your passport to a successful career.

The City and Guilds of London Institute (C&G) and Hong Kong College of Technology will offer a new Full Technological Certificate course in Information Technology next month.

City and Guilds of London Institute (Hong Kong) honorary representative Dominic Lo Ming-tak said the institute's new subjects, Computers and Computing I: Program Design and Introductory Office Practice and Organisation, were designed for professional, technical and managerial workers trained at post-secondary level.

''The minimum entry requirement for these courses are passes in two subjects, in English and Mathematics in HKCEE, with two years' relevant working experience,'' Mr Lo said.

''Anyone meeting the entry requirements may register at once. Usually, there are no entrance examinations.'' He said C&G was recognised for a long-standing tradition of offering good qualifications.

''A full Technological Certificate from C&G is recognised by the Government officially as equivalent to a Higher Certificate/Ordinary Diploma issued by Hong Kong polytechnics,'' the representative said.

C&G ensures its institutes have proper equipment and facilities, so students receive the best possible standard of training.

Last year, almost 5,000 C&G students sat for examinations.

Hong Kong College of Technology senior administration officer Chan Cheuk-hay said the institute first offered courses in the territory in 1979.

In 1993, the college's Information and Service Centre for Professional Studies became one of C&G's Hong Kong examination centres.

The centre carries out administrative duties and provides relevant information to candidates.

''Concerning the quality and academic standards of C&G examinations, we have established an Examination Monitoring Group with experts drawn from a wide spectrum of professions and academic disciplines,'' Mr Chan said.

''Meeting the challenges ahead, C&G will expand not only in Hong Kong, but also in China.

''The first C&G examination centre was established in Shanghai this June.'' The institute plans to offer more practical courses soon.

The City and Guilds of London Institute was founded in 1878 and is the largest technical testing and qualifying body in Britain.