Tradition and future: VET in Hong Kong, a new perspective

Abstract

As the Hong Kong economy had experienced several rounds of structural changes during the past 30 years, the vocational education and training (VET) systems in Hong Kong had also undergone much transformation throughout the same period. In particular, modern VET in Hong Kong, which started to take root in mid-2000s, has gradually evolved through a series of well-planned, pro-active and concerted efforts masterminded by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) of Hong Kong. VTC turned out a quarter of a million trainees per year to meet industries' need at the craftsman, technician and technologist level. Riding on a conceptual framework of VET principles, VTC aims to solve the imminent labour mismatch problem, enhance Hong Kong's manpower competitiveness as well as extend its presence as a VET pioneer/leader in the regional context. Modern VET in Hong Kong operates hypothetically on three structural building blocks, viz., the system of qualification standards, the collaborated model of VET assessment and the integrated model of VET delivery. The system of qualification standards mainly comprises the Qualification Framework (QF) benchmarked against international standards and the Specifications of Competency Standard developed and recognized by local industries. The collaborative VET model is actualized through various initiatives such as the "oneexamination oneexamination- multiple-certifications" scheme as well as the "one-course-dual-qualifications" system, which enable practitioners' qualifications to be recognized and certified in Mainland China and overseas hence realizing portability of qualifications at both national and international level. The integrated VET model combines on-the-job training at the workplace and off-