The occupational skill testing and certification systems in Hong Kong

Abstract

For the purpose of setting standards for skilled workers and facilitating the acquisition of recognised qualifications, the Vocational Training Council introduced in 1989 a voluntary trade testing and certification system in various industries. Up to now, the number of trades for skill testing has been increased to 32. Some 24 000 workers have sit for the tests with some 14 000 passing the tests. The trade test certificates have gained wide recognition by the industries, the government and the public. In February 1998, the scheme has been expanded to cover also the intermediate tradesmen/semi-skilled workers. This paper describes in detail the skill testing and certification system in Hong Kong, including its operating procedures, the past experience and future developments.