The Director of Immigration, Mr Tsang Kwok-wai, today (August 17) officiated at the Launching Ceremony of Accredited Training Programmes of the Immigration Department (ImmD) at the Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development (ISITD), marking a milestone in the immigration training programmes.
      
     To further enhance the professionalism of ImmD and to promote the continuous learning and personal development of members of the Immigration Service, ISITD took the initiative to perform preparatory work last year. After undergoing tender evaluation, the Open University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education was selected to co-organise induction and in-service training programmes for the members at the grade of Immigration Assistant. The programmes were later successfully accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF).
      
     Upon completing the induction training programmes under the HKQF, the newly recruited Immigration Assistants will be issued with the Professional Diploma in Immigration Services and Control, which is recognised as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 4 (equivalent to the level of an Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma). In addition, Senior Immigration Assistants and Chief Immigration Assistants who have completed the relevant in-service training programmes will receive the Professional Certificate in Preparatory Management in Immigration Services and Control and the Professional Certificate in Frontline Management in Immigration Services and Control respectively. The former is recognised as meeting the accreditation standards at Level 4 (equivalent to the sub-degree level) while the latter meets the standards at Level 5 (equivalent to the Bachelor Degree level).
      
       The ISITD is the first organisation in Hong Kong to provide professional immigration-related programmes. Mr Tsang said that the accredited training programmes can promote the lifelong learning spirit of members of the Immigration Service and enhance their competitiveness. He encouraged all the graduates to uphold the values of the department by staying vigilant in the face of an ever-changing environment and maintaining the professionalism of the Immigration Service.

     A total of 154 graduates, comprising 27 Chief Immigration Assistants, 24 Senior Immigration Assistants and 103 Immigration Assistants, attended today’s launching ceremony. ImmD will continue to apply for various in-service training programmes to be included in the Qualifications Register.

Ends/Friday, August 17, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:11

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