EDB set up the Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs), which consist of representatives of employers, employees, professional organisations and regulatory bodies, on an industry basis to serve as a platform for stakeholders to implement the QF with concerted efforts and advise the Government on the training needs and manpower development of respective industries.
The primary tasks of ITAC are :
- to map out the Vocational Qualifications Pathways (VQP) and develop VQP qualifications for key job positions
- to draw up Speci cation of Competency Standards (SCS) and develop SCS-based training packages
- to implement Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism for recognising the working experience of industry practitioners
As of now, a total of 22 ITACs/CITAC have been established.
Education Sector
The EDB has all along been committed to enhancing students’ awareness of lifelong learning and supporting the implementation of life planning education (LPE). It has organised special workplace experience programmes under the QF for secondary school students to enrich their understanding of different industries, raise their awareness of the importance of continuous learning, and assist them in planning for further studies and future careers. By organising activities such as onsite seminars and briefing sessions at schools, the Qualifications
Framework Secretariat (QFS) encourages teachers and parents to work together in making good life planning preparation for their students or children by leveraging the QF platform. The QFS also publishes useful information in a lively way through a variety of online or offline channels to help students, teachers and parents better understand the QF. In addition, more and more secondary schools are offering QF-recognised Applied Learning Courses or school-based curricula that cover a wide range of subject disciplines and trade functions for senior secondary students, with a view to providing students with diverse choices and enabling them to identify their own path and personal goals in their learning journey.
Following the implementation of the QF, universities and higher education institutions have, one after another, rolled out QFrecognised programmes or adopted related arrangements, such as credit accumulation and transfer between different programmes and institutions, recognition of qualifications obtained through the RPL mechanism during admission, or even granting of credit exemption. Some institutions have also participated in the development of the SCS, training packages and VQP courses to help promote the application of QF across sectors.
EDB representative will officiate the Qualifications Framework (QF) Partnerships Commendation Ceremony and present certificates of commendation to organisations including enterprises, industry-related trade associations and unions, professional bodies, government departments, and public organisations for their support and contributions to the implementation of the QF.
QF in Action (QFIA)
QF in Action (QFIA) launched in 2020. Through encouraging different organisations to develop QF-related projects, it aims to promote lifelong learning with a view to enhancing the capability and competitiveness of the human capital and facilitating a sustainable professional development of various trades in Hong Kong.
Award Scheme for Learning Experiences (Award Scheme)
The Award Scheme aims to encourage practitioners who have excelled themselves in continuous learning in the respective industries to engage in learning activities in different places with a view to broadening their horizons and developing network with local and overseas industry partners within or outside Hong Kong. It also helps promote the concept of "becoming Master of Trade through Multiple Pathways".
