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Skills Upgrading Scheme to be reviewed
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The Skills Upgrading Scheme (SUS) courses will be reviewed and modifications will be made as necessary to ensure their recognition under the Qualifications Framework and help trainees to pursue continuing education in a systematic way.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Skills Upgrading Charity Carnival today (January 26), the Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Paul Tang Kwok-wai, said the Government was developing the Qualifications Framework to set the competency standards for various industries so as to provide an environment conducive to lifelong learning. The SUS has kept in line with the development and has drawn up courses accordingly in hairdressing, printing and watch making.

¡§The SUS was launched in 2001 to offer on-the-job training for elementary workers, with a view to enhancing their employability and competitiveness in the labour market,¡¨ he said.

Since its inception, the SUS has conducted more than 10,000 classes and offered more than 200,000 training places covering 26 industries.

¡§To keep track of the effectiveness of the scheme, the Government has commissioned an independent organisation to conduct an evaluation of some SUS courses in some of the industries. The study showed that the majority of the trainees, their employers and supervisors gave a positive response,¡¨ Mr Tang said.

Ms Nancy Sit, the SUS Promotion Ambassador, called for employers and employees¡¦ continued support for the scheme. She also encouraged more in-service workers to pursue continuing education to help enhance manpower quality.

The SUS trainees ran booths at today¡¦s carnival, organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau, to show to the public their skills. Funds raised in the event will be donated to the Hong Kong Community Chest.

Ends/Saturday, January 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:30

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