***********************************************************
The 2016-17 Award Scheme for Learning Experiences under the Qualifications Framework (QF) will be open for applications from tomorrow (March 15) until May 10. Practitioners from 21 industries or sectors are welcome to apply.
A spokesman for the Education Bureau said, "The Award Scheme aims to encourage outstanding or emerging practitioners to engage in learning activities 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. We also hope that these awardees will serve as role models for their respective industries and help promote QF.
"Over the past three years, the Award Scheme has attracted over 550 practitioners from different industries to apply and over 150 of them were awarded."
Feedback from awardees in the past years is positive and encouraging. Some of them gained new knowledge or skills and brought them back to work. Some established networks and rapport with local and overseas practitioners, while others made use of the award to take part in competitions - even winning prizes.
Under the 2015-16 Award Scheme, for example, an awardee from the catering industry joined a vegetarian cuisine competition in Taiwan and won the "international outstanding dish" and "outstanding chef" awards. His knowledge in nutrition and Chinese medicine cuisine gained from a QF-recognised course contributed much to his success in the competition and in developing his career. Another awardee, a young practitioner from the testing, inspection and certification industry, applies the skills and knowledge she gained at a regional conference to her work of testing construction materials, thereby enhancing the safety of construction materials.
The spokesman said, "The theme of the Award Scheme this year is 'Professionals in all trades and lifelong learning for a better future'. We hope the Award Scheme can inspire youngsters to pursue careers in different fields and advance their careers through learning and practice. An awardees alumni association will be set up by the QF Secretariat as a platform for awardees to exchange learning experiences with fellow practitioners within and across different industries, as well as to promote the Award Scheme."
The Award Scheme covers 21 industries or sectors under the QF. With the establishment of the latest Fashion Industry Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) in July 2015, there are 20 ITACs (see Annex) under the QF at present, covering about 53 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 for details.
Ends/Monday, March 14, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:34
NNNN
