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Findings of a tracking survey on the first batch of Project Springboard graduates revealed that study and employment opportunities of those who obtained a Full Certificate in the programme have been greatly enhanced.
Commissioned by the Educational and Manpower Bureau and conducted by the Federation of Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions (FCE) in November 2001, the survey aimed to collect information on the activity status and employment of 2000/01 Project Springboard graduates who completed the programme in July.
Announcing results of the survey today (January 3), Dr. Edwin Wong King-por, Chairman of Programme Management Committee said that of the 3,033 full-time students who completed the programme, 1,857 (61.23 per cent) met the programme requirements and were awarded the Full Certificate.
"About 62 per cent of the Full Certificate graduates pursue either full-time or part-time further studies. Among them, about 72 per cent take up full-time studies in programmes which required a minimum of five passes in Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) including English and Chinese," he said.
Dr. Wong said that the results indicated a remarkable enhancement of study opportunities for students awarded the Full Certificate.
On employment, the survey showed that 29 per cent of the students with Full Certificate have taken up employment. About 92 per cent of them work in the private sector and eight per cent in Government. About 70 per cent of them are working full-time.
"The results show that there are good employment opportunities for Project Springboard graduates. Employers in the private sector are following Government's lead in recognising Project Springboard qualifications." Dr. Wong said.
He said the survey also shows that more than half of those who scored zero to four points in HKCEE had successfully obtained the Full Certificate.
"It is encouraging to see that those who had not performed well in the HKCEE have by attending Project Springboard programme regained self-confidence as well as interest in study," Dr. Wong said.
"Overall, the survey findings indicated that Project Springboard has achieved its stated objective of providing an alternative path of education for those who had completed Secondary Five with unsatisfactory results and mature students to obtain a formal qualification comparable to five passes in HKCEE," he added.
Dr. Wong also noted that 70 per cent of those who successfully completed Project Springboard would recommend the programme to their friends.
"Such a satisfaction rate is taken internationally as indication of a well received educational programme," he said.
Initiated by the Government during 2000/01 and run by the ten members of the FCE, Project Springboard provides an alternative curriculum to HKCEE, and places emphasis on language skills, IT applications and communications skills. There is in place an effective quality assurance system to ensure that consistent standards are applied by participating institutions in teaching, assessment and evaluation.
End/ Thursday, January 3, 2002
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