Closer Alignment between Post-secondary Education Institutions and Industries
Post-secondary Education
With an ageing population, productivity will stand as a more important driver of future economic growth. Productivity, in general, is closely linked to the level of education and training. The educational attainment of our population has been improving. With the introduction of the new academic structure, all students have access to 12 years of free education up to Secondary 6. The proportion of our population aged 15-65 with post-secondary qualifications has increased from 14.8% in 2001 to 27.3% in 2011. By 2015, over one-third of the relevant cohort of our population will have access to degree-level education. Taking sub-degree places into account, nearly 70% of the relevant age cohort can receive post-secondary education.
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Training the Workforce
Post-secondary education should prepare young adults for entering the job market or pursuing further study. With the introduction of the new academic structure, institutions are placing increasing emphasis on nurturing students with broad knowledge base, important generic skills (e.g. communication, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, team work and lifelong learning) and international outlook so that they can succeed in a modern knowledge-based society in a globalised world. Some post-secondary courses, however, do not specifically focus on offering the students with the skills or knowledge directly related to the workplace. There are then questions about whether post-secondary courses are sufficiently aligned with employers’ needs and market demands.
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Qualifications Framework
Launched in May 2008, QF is a seven-level hierarchy covering qualifications in the academic, vocational and continuing education sectors. This design is deliberate to facilitate a seamless interface between academic and vocational sectors. It seeks to establish an accessible articulation pathway to promote lifelong learning with a view to continuously enhancing the quality, professionalism and diversification of Hong Kong’s workforce. A flexible yet clear pathway-map encourages our labour force and youngsters to pursue with passion their diverse interests and abilities, knowing that with perseverance and hard work, all pathways can lead to a bright future. The ultimate aim is to provide a platform for the seamless transition among school education, training and employment.
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Industry Training Advisory Committees
Outcome standards are underpinned by competency standards at different levels. The industry knows best what it wants. Therefore, the Government has been assisting industries in setting up their Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs). ITACs consist of representatives of employer associations, trade unions, professional bodies and regulatory bodies of the relevant industries, and serve as a platform for stakeholders to work on the implementation of the QF in their industries. The ITAC also provides a forum for exchange of views on the training needs and manpower development of the industries. Currently, there are 19 ITACs established, covering industries which employ about 46% of our total workforce.
Specification of Competency Standards
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Vocational Education and Training
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The sustained development of all sectors hinges on quality workers. Vocational and academic qualifications are equally important. We need a diverse pool of talents to sharpen the competitiveness of our workforce and provide a long-term economic driver for all industries. As such, apart from conventional academic subjects, we should progressively develop an education and training system for young people that will integrate academic studies and interest, as well as professional and vocational training, under an orderly framework that features diversity, provides multiple pathways and enjoys high recognition.
Seminar on Closer Alignment between Post-secondary Education Institutions and Industries
Given the strategic importance for the future development of the post-secondary education and the training of our workforce, the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education (CSPE) organized “The Seminar on Closer Alignment between Post-secondary Education Institutions and Industries” (the Seminar) on 30 October 2013 aiming to serve as a spur to promote exchanges between institutions and industries.
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Representatives of post-secondary institutions and industries were invited by the CSPE to attend the Seminar. Industry representatives from the logistics, banking, retail and engineering industries and relevant course operators were invited to share views on how to foster closer alignment between industries and institutions so that post-secondary education can effectively contribute to the economic development of Hong Kong and meet the needs of employers.
December 2013
Last Review Date: 06/12/2017