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Good progress is being made on the setting up of an International Cuisine College and an additional youth college as proposed by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, in the Policy Address this year.
Expected to be established in 2014 with about 2,000 places, the International Cuisine College will provide training for people aspiring to become professional chefs proficient in international cuisines and attract outstanding members of the culinary profession from around the world. The new campus, which will cost about $500 million, is expected to be commissioned in 2015-16.
The Vocational Training Council (VTC) is looking for a suitable site for the college, and hopes that it could be located near the Chinese Cuisine Training Institute in Pok Fu Lam.
The new youth college will supplement the existing seven youth colleges with 240 new places, which can be increased to 420 in 2014-15. The first batch of students will be admitted next year.
The college will provide specialised support for non-Chinese-speaking students and those with special needs. It will also offer alternative progression pathways for young people. Its annual expenditure will be about $26 million. A suitable site for the college is being identified.
The Chief Executive today (November 29) visited the youth college and the Hospitality Industry and Development Centre in Tin Shui Wai, where he met students and was briefed by the VTC Chairman, Dr Andrew Leung, and the VTC Executive Director, Dr Carrie Willis, on the progress of the two new colleges.
Mr Tsang toured a number of classes, including the hairdressing training workshop and the beauty care training workshop. He also visited the class of the foundation certificate in pastry and bakery.
The Chief Executive chatted with some students, including non-Chinese-speaking ones and those with special educational needs, about their learning experiences and career plans.
"I appreciate that young people face fierce competition and immense pressure nowadays. But no matter what career path you choose, as long as you keep trying, work hard and rise up to the challenge, you will excel," Mr Tsang said.
Established in 2004, youth colleges offer diploma in vocational education courses and foundation certificate courses for youths above Secondary Three. In 2010-11, the seven youth colleges provided over 7,000 places.
The Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre was established in 1984 to provide professional training for the hospitality industry. With three campuses, the centre has more than 3,000 graduates each year. The employment rate of the graduates is over 95 per cent.
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:03
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