Vocational education and training for Hong Kong into the 21st century: an investigative report

Abstract

Demands from the 21st century customers will change fundamentally from that of past years. This article attempts to review the traditional strength of Hong Kong economy and its people's ability to meet with these new demands. Vocational Education and Training plays an important role in the provision of human resources. In this article the concept and methodology for "Shaping the 21st century worker" is proposed. The main issue being investigated is to provide workers with knowledge and ability, not just to cope with skills and knowledge require for their related field of work, but also the ability to control their work organization and to shape and design new methods / processes for new generations of products and services. Occupational-related didactics, alongside with their methodological implications and applications are also investigated. It is proposed that project based learning type of education and training are needed to be developed and implemented for various "professional profiles". The requirements of the new age VET trainer to suit the changing needs of service / industry are also discussed.