Vocational Training Council

The Vocational Training Council
職業訓練局

Vocational Training Council Tower in Wood Road
Type Vocational
Established 1982 (1982)
Director Mrs Carrie Yau
Students 250,000
Location Hong Kong
Website vtc.edu.hk
Vocational Training Council
Traditional Chinese 職業訓練局

Vocational Training Council (VTC) (Chinese: 職業訓練局) is the largest vocational education, training and professional development group in Hong Kong. Established in 1982, the VTC provides valuable credentials for some 250,000 students each year through a full range of pre-employment and in-service programmes with internationally recognised qualifications.

History

The VTC was established in 1982 to provide skills-based training to the Hong Kong workforce. The first programmes began in 1984 at the newly established campus in Kowloon Bay, focusing on craft-based and operative courses. in 1986, the VTC expanded to two new locations in Tuen Mun and Sha Tin. in 1991, the Skills Centre was established in Tuen Mun to provide skills training to students with disabilities. in 1993, new campuses were established in Tsing Yi and Chai Wan which aimed to provide sub-degree programmes, previously operated by polytechnic colleges. in 1999 a number of technical colleges were merged under the umbrella of the VTC to create the Institute of Vocational Education.

In 2000, the VTC established the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute in Pokfulam. In 2003, the School for Higher and Professional Education was established to provide top-up degree programmes and the Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge was set up to provide post-graduate and professional skills development programmes. In 2004, the VTC established the Youth College as an alternative to the standard high-school education system for students. In 2006, the VTC became the first vocational training organisation to gain accreditation from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications. In 2007, the Hong Kong Design Institute began offering design-related courses to students. In 2008, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre was set up to provide skills-development courses. In 2009, the WMG School for Professional Development was established, in a partnership with University of Warwick, to provide Master's-level degree courses. In 2011, the VTC opened the T-Hotel, which was the first such student-run hotel in Hong Kong, which is used to provide training to hospitality students. In 2012, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong was established to offer courses which combine traditional academic studies with more practical elements.[1]

Roles

In addition to its role as a provider of vocational education in Hong Kong, the VTC also acts as an advisory body to the Hong Kong Government on issues related to the vocational and training needs of Hong Kong.[2][3]

Under The Vocational Training Council Ordinance (CAP 1130), the VTC is also tasked with: the promotion of apprenticeships in Hong Kong; providing vocational training opportunities to disabled persons over the age of 15; to provide courses for the improvement of industry in Hong Kong; and, to create and manage the facilities required to carry out these activities.[3] In order to achieve these goals, the VTC is required to present an annual report to the Chief Executive covering all relevant information.[3]

Member Institutions

The VTC has 13 member institutions, each with a different industry or discipline focus.[4]

Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong

The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) was established to offer a variety of programmes which aim to incorporate practical training into more traditional higher educational programmes.[4]

Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge

Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK) was established to provide professionals, or graduates, with post-graduate and professional development programmes. PEAK often offers such courses in partnership with other local or international tertiary education institutions.[4]

School for Higher and Professional Education

The School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) was established to partner with local and overseas tertiary education institutions to offer top-up degree programmes.[4]

Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education

Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) offers a variety of courses in different disciplines. Its programmes range in level, from higher diploma to certificate-level.[4]

Hong Kong Design Institute

Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) provides instructional programmes focued around the creative arts, design, art and other related fields.[4]

Pro-Act by VTC

Pro-Act by VTC provides instruction on a variety of vocational fields, ranging from automotive-related courses, jewelery production and fashion and textiles.[4]

Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre

Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre (HITDC) was established to provide hospitality-related training courses to school-leavers. The HITDC also operates the T-Hotel[5] in Pokfulam which it uses to provide practical training to students.[4]

Chinese Cuisine Training Institute

Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI) was established to provide catering-related and culinary skills training courses to those wishing to practice Chinese cuisine, both amateurs and those seeking skills development.[4]

Maritime Services Training Institute

Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI) provides training for high-school graduates centred on marine-related industries.[4]

Youth College

Youth College is aimed at providing vocational training programmes for students who have achieved a Secondary Three level education under the local Hong Kong high school system.[4]

Integrated Vocational Development Centre

Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) was established to provide vocation-centric training initiatives to students with a variety of education and experience backgrounds.[4]

Yeo Chei Man Senior Secondary School

Yeo Chei Man Senior Secondary School was established to provide a more flexible secondary education for students. Students are given the choice of a standard examination, or they may sit for entry into VTC-run programmes and Higher Diploma programmes.[4]

Shine Skills Centre

Shine Skills Centre was established to provide programmes to students with special needs, aged 15 years or over. It was created to assist this group be providing them with employment-focused skills.[4]

Controversies

In 1999, the South China Morning Post published an article outlining poor management within the VTC which are reported to have resulted in HK$160 million in lost revenue. The losses resulted from mismanagement of VTC resources, such as housing for senior staff; the upkeep of facilities which were underutilised; and, the payment of cash in lieu of leave to staff.[6]

In 2012, it came to light that some instructors at the VTC were providing students with unfair advantages in an attempt to boost exam results of their students. This was attributed to the practice of tying instructor contracts to student performance and pass-rates.[7]

References

  1. ↑ The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region , 2012/13
  2. ↑ The British Council (Hong Kong) The Vocational Training Council August, 2014
  3. 1 2 3 The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR The Education Ordinance (Cap 279) 30 June 1997
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 The Vocational Training Council Member Institutions, 2014
  5. ↑ The T-Hotel
  6. ↑ No Kwai-Yan Poor practices swallow $160 million in revenue The South China Morning Post, 18 November 1999
  7. ↑ Cheng, Jennifer Pressure on teachers to 'rig exam scores' The South China Morning Post, 04 May, 2012
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