***********************************************************
The 2015-16 Award Scheme for Learning Experiences under the Qualifications Framework (QF) is open for applications from today (March 24) until May 20. Practitioners in 20 industries or sectors 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, around the world with a view to broadening their horizons, as well as sharpening their edge through enriching their knowledge and upgrading their skills in their trades.
"Through participating in the learning activities, practitioners can also develop networks with local and overseas industry partners. Over the past two years, the Award Scheme has attracted over 370 practitioners from different industries to apply and over 100 of them were awarded."
Under the 2014-15 Award Scheme, for example, an awardee from the elderly care service industry had the chance to participate in a learning activity in Taiwan which inspired her to make use of technology products to enhance the quality of life of the residents in the care home. Another awardee, a young banking practitioner, attended the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers Annual Conference and benefited from the sharing of seasoned bankers. A salon practitioner in the hairdressing industry was given an opportunity to join an international hairstyling contest. He made his debut in the contest and won a silver and bronze medal respectively in two separate categories.
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 important 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 help promote QF and the Award Scheme to their peers."
The Financial Secretary proposed in 2013-14 Budget to allocate $10 million to support the Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) set up under the QF to launch new initiatives to further enhance the knowledge and skills of practitioners in the industries and thus enhance their competitiveness in the labour market. The Award Scheme is one of the initiatives, covering the 20 industries or sectors under the QF. Following the merging of the Hairdressing ITAC and Beauty ITAC on January 1, 2015, there are 19 ITACs (see Annex) under the QF at present, covering about 52 per cent of the workforce in Hong Kong.
The learning activities in which practitioners can participate under the Award Scheme include competitions, seminars, sharing sessions and study tours. Awardees engaging in local learning activities will receive an award of $10,000 while awardees engaging in learning activities outside Hong Kong will receive an award of $30,000. Applicants may visit the website www.hkqf.gov.hk/AwardScheme.asp for details.
Ends/Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:33
NNNN
