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The first three industries in the Qualifications Framework have compiled their respective "Specification of Competency Standards" (SCS), which set out the competencies required in their industries and provide a basis for training providers to design suitable learning programmes.
Officiating today (September 2) at the "Enhancement for a Brighter Future -- Qualifications Framework Promotion Day", Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Betty Fung said the first batch of SCS-based programmes would be introduced by end of this year, which marked an important milestone in the development of the framework.
"After a year-long effort, we have achieved remarkable progress in the establishment of the framework. At present, 12 industries - printing and publishing, watch and clock, Chinese catering, hairdressing, property management, electrical and mechanical services, jewellery, information and communication technology, automotive, beauty, logistics and banking - have taken part," Mrs Fung said.
She said another important task for the framework would be the setting up of the "Qualifications Register". The register is a centralised online database listing all the qualifications, programmes and training institutes recognised under the framework.
"We have sought the opinions on the register prototype from relevant organisations such as trade unions, labour unions, training institutes and learners. They have provided us with lots of valuable comments and agreed that the register will serve as a useful database to facilitate life-long learning," Mrs Fung said.
"Once the Legislative Council has passed the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Bill, the register will start operation providing people with free access to relevant information."
The Education and Manpower Bureau launched a large-scale publicity drive last year to introduce the concept of the framework to the public. To give people a better understanding of the framework, a range of promotional items will be launched starting today including the broadcast of a new Announcement of Public Interest (API) and a five-episode Qualifications Framework TV series -- "Enhancement of a Brighter Future" jointly produced with ATV. Premiered on September 2, the programme will be shown every Saturday from 7pm to 7.30pm on ATV Home Channel.
Ends/Saturday, September 2, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:39
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