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Following is a question by the Hon Tsang Yok-sing and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (December 8):

Question:

Concerning the work of the Manpower Development Committee (MDC), will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the number of meetings held by MDC and the total meeting hours since its establishment in October 2002;

(b) of the topics discussed by MDC and the policies it has proposed for the Government's implementation as well as the specific contents of these proposals; and

(c) whether it will increase the transparency of the MDC's work, including reporting to this Council regularly?

Reply:

Madam President:

(a) Since its establishment in October 2002, the Manpower Development Committee (MDC) has held eight meetings which altogether took about 24 hours.

(b) In the past two years, the MDC discussed topics relating to manpower projection, vocational training and retraining, post-secondary education and continuing education, and the establishment of a Qualifications Framework (QF) and its associated quality assurance mechanism.

(i) Manpower projection

The MDC discussed and advised on the scope and methodology of the Manpower Projection to 2007. At a subsequent meeting, the Committee discussed the draft Report on Manpower Projection to 2007 and advised on measures to address the problem of mismatches between manpower requirement and supply in Hong Kong's labour market.

(ii) Vocational Training and Retraining, Post-secondary Education and Continuing Education

The MDC discussed the work of the Employees Retraining Board and its operating model. The Committee also discussed the findings of a review of the Skills Upgrading Scheme. As regards post-secondary education and continuing education, the MDC discussed the University Grants Committee's recommendations on the development of sub-degree programmes, the progress of Project Yi Jin (PYJ), and the proposed Yi Jin/Secondary Schools Collaboration Project.

(iii) Establishment of a QF and its associated Quality Assurance mechanism

The MDC reviewed the feedback from the public consultation exercise on the proposed establishment of a QF and advised on the setting up of the framework. The Committee endorsed the establishment of a seven-level cross-sectoral QF and its associated quality assurance mechanism. The Committee also discussed the quality assurance services to be provided by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation to underpin the QF. The progress of the initial implementation of the QF was reported to the MDC.

(c) In formulating proposals for developing Hong Kong's human resources to meet the changing needs of our economy, we attach great importance to the views of the Legislative Council, the MDC and the relevant stakeholders. We consult the Legislative Council from time to time on important issues and proposals that may affect our manpower development and very often such proposals would have incorporated the MDC's advice. In other words, the Legislative Council is also kept informed of the MDC's deliberations.

Ends/Wednesday, December 8, 2004

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