Project Springboard - recognition of qualifications

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The Government announced today (December 26)that it will accept the full Project Springboard certificates as meeting the entry qualifications for appointment to Government jobs requiring five passes in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE).

Students who have obtained the full Project Springboard certificate, which must include passes in the Chinese and English core modules, will be able to apply for jobs in about 30 civil service grades such as Ambulanceman, Amenities Assistant III, Assistant Census and Survey Officer, Assistant Officer II (Correctional), Customs Officer, Fireman, Immigration Assistant, Police Constable, Postal Officer etc. They will also be able to apply for other non-civil service contract jobs requiring five passes in HKCEE.

However, to qualify for jobs in those civil service grades which require five passes in HKCEE with pass or higher grade in specific subjects for entry, holders of the full Project Springboard certificate must separately attain the required grades in the specified subjects.

The Government's decision is based on an independent assessment carried out by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA) and takes into account the quality assurance process put in place by the Federation of Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutes (FCE).

Having examined the programme structure, design and content of individual courses, teaching and learning materials, the modes of teaching, the assessment methods, and other relevant aspects of course delivery, the HKCAA has concluded that the Springboard programme, in totality, can appropriately prepare students with a general level of knowledge and skills for employment purpose, which is comparable to the level of knowledge and skill expected of a graduate with five HKCEE passes.

The HKCAA also concluded that the Springboard Programme can suitably prepare its students for further study in continuing education courses which normally require five HKCEE passes for admission.

"Now that the quality of the Springboard Programme has been confirmed, I hope employers in the private sector will follow the lead set by the Government in recognising the qualifications of graduates from the programme," the Acting Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Philip Chok said.

As the next step, the Government plans to brief employer groups to promote understanding and recognition of Project Springboard qualifications.

Project Springboard offers a new bridging programme to provide an alternative route and expanded continuing education opportunities for secondary school leavers and adult learners. The programmes are offered by the ten member institutions of FCE.

The Programme was launched in October 2000 and some 4,000 students have enrolled in its full time and part-time courses.

The programme requires the completion of, and passes in 10 modules comprising seven compulsory modules (English I and II, Chinese, Putonghua, IT Application, Mathematics in Practice and Communication Skills) and three elective modules with emphasis on trade-specific knowledge such as logistics, property management etc.

End/Tuesday, December 26, 2000

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