SED commends Qualifications Framework partners (with photos)

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (May 14) officiated at the Qualifications Framework (QF) Partnerships Commendation Ceremony cum QF 10th Anniversary Celebration (Ceremony), and presented certificates of commendation to over 200 organisations including enterprises, industry-related trade associations and unions, professional bodies and Government departments for their support and contributions to the QF.

     In his speech, Mr Yeung said the Government had so far set up 22 Industry Training Advisory Committees, covering over half of the total labour force in Hong Kong. The Government has also launched a series of support schemes under the QF Fund, which have subsidised education and training providers for the accreditation of over 4 800 training courses to become QF-recognised. There are now more than 8 200 QF-recognised academic and vocational qualifications listed on the Qualifications Register for selection by learners.
      
     He said that the QF is a clear and objective cross-sectoral qualifications platform to promote vocational and professional education and training (VPET) and provide quality, flexible and diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points for youngsters. This year, the Government has not only injected $1.2 billion into the QF Fund for the continued implementation of various initiatives under the QF, but also established the Task Force on Promotion of VPET last month, which comprises representatives of schools, parents and employers as well as community and labour sectors, to further promote VPET.
      
     Mr Yeung expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the commended organisations for their active participation and support in the development of the QF over the past 10 years since its launch in 2008, which contributed to encouraging outcomes.
      
     Employers commended today have made good use of the tools and supporting mechanisms of the QF in at least one of the following areas to enhance their manpower quality: (i) development of quality-assured Specifications of Competency Standards (SCS)-based courses, which suit the needs of the industries for enhancing skills of their employees; (ii) establishment of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) arrangement to provide more flexible learning opportunities; (iii) encouragement of their employees to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning qualifications to have their experience recognised under the QF; and (iv) use of QF-recognised qualifications in human resources development and management perspectives to enhance competitiveness of the enterprises for their long-term development.
        
     Education and training providers commended have developed SCS-based courses or Specifications of Generic (Foundation) Competencies-based courses, or set up the CAT arrangement to provide more and flexible learning opportunities for learners.
      
     Enterprises, trade associations, trade unions and professional bodies that have actively promoted the QF also received commendation today for their contributions to the implementation of the QF.
      
     Government departments and public organisations were commended for their application and promotion of the QF at various levels. This not only enhances the manpower quality of the departments and organisations, but also raises public awareness of QF and fosters the culture of lifelong learning in Hong Kong.
         
     Looking ahead to the next 10 years, Mr Yeung said he wished that the commended organisations would continue to be the long-term partners of the QF, and collaborate to further strengthen application of the QF as well as promote lifelong learning and manpower development for the betterment of society.