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The 2014-15 Award Scheme for Learning Experiences under the Qualifications Framework (QF) is open for application from today (February 19) until April 17. Practitioners in 19 industries are welcome to join.
A spokesman for the Education Bureau said, "The Award Scheme aims to encourage outstanding or emerging practitioners to engage in learning activities, such as competitions, seminars, sharing sessions and study tours, in different places around the world with a view to broadening their horizons as well as strengthening their competitiveness through enhancing their knowledge and skills in the industries. They can also develop networks with industry partners in and outside Hong Kong."
Launched last year, the Award Scheme received 211 applications from practitioners in its first year and 49 of them were awarded. Examples of awardees under last year's Award Scheme who obtained exposure through their learning activities include a vehicle craft apprentice and practitioners from the beauty industry and the manufacturing technology industry. The apprentice participated in a best apprentice competition in which he was named the first runner-up and thus had the chance to visit a motor manufacturing plant and an auto show in Japan for trade knowledge enhancement. The practitioner in the beauty industry was given an opportunity to participate in a hairstyling and make-up competition in which she won a prize, while the practitioner in the manufacturing technology industry attended an international exhibition overseas to keep abreast of the latest technological developments.
The spokesman said, "We hope that these awardees will serve as exemplars and role models for their respective industries and help attract the younger generation to pursue careers in these fields and promote the concepts of 'multiple pathways and masters of each trade'. After completing the learning activities, the awardees will be invited to share their learning experiences and participate in the publicity of the QF so as to promote lifelong learning."
The Financial Secretary proposed in last year's Budget to allocate $10 million to support the 19 Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) (see Annex for details) set up under the QF to launch new initiatives to further enhance the knowledge and skills of practitioners in the industries and their competitiveness in the labour market. The Award Scheme is one of the new initiatives for the 19 industries which have set up ITACs under the QF. These industries currently cover about 46 per cent of the workforce in Hong Kong.
The learning activities in which practitioners can participate include competitions, seminars, sharing sessions and study tours. Applicants may visit the website at www.hkqf.gov.hk/AwardScheme.asp for details of the Award Scheme.
Ends/Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:09
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