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Enhanced integrated vocational and skills training services for persons with disabilities
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     The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) and Social Welfare Department (SWD) met with the management of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) to explain the enhanced service model which combined the strengths of the existing services of Shine Skills Centres operated by the VTC and Integrated Vocational Training Centres (IVTCs) subvented by the SWD, a spokesman for the LWB said today (December 21). The management of the VTC said they appreciated the proposed development directions and indicated full support for the implementation of the proposed service model.

     To tie in with the Kwun Tong "Government, Institution or Community" composite development project, the Government will resume the present site of the Shine Skills Centre (Kwun Tong) (SSC) in the fourth quarter of 2021. Meanwhile, the Government proposes to temporarily relocate the programmes and students of the SSC to the renovated vacant school premises at 1D Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong. Upon completion of the Kwun Tong composite development project, the SSC will be reprovisioned back to the Kwun Tong district. The Government will continue to liaise closely with the VTC and provide necessary assistance on the decanting arrangements (including provision of feeder bus services between MTR station and temporary school site for students in need) and reprovisioning of the school premises back to Kwun Tong in future.

     The proposed integrated vocational and skills training service model seeks to equip students with disabilities with skills commensurate with their abilities, assist them in adapting to the work environment, keep up their work motivation and sustain their continuous employment in the open market. The training programmes will better suit the individualised needs and aptitudes of students and in particular strengthen their post-training employment support. The spokesman said, "The new arrangements include the provision of post-training employment support services through job coaches for graduates and their employers or peer workers for at least 12 months and ongoing support services up to three years for individual graduates on a need basis. Implementation details will be worked out after further discussion between the Government and the VTC."

     In addition, the VTC will formulate a strategic plan to systematically introduce more courses recognised under the Qualifications Framework and regularly update the content of the training programmes; strengthen employment-oriented training in simulated work environment to enable students to acquire relevant skills; and arrange more internship opportunities for students. Under the proposed service model, the VTC will arrange "up-skilling" or "re-skilling" courses for graduates in need, with a view to enhancing their opportunities to find employment or change jobs in the open market. The spokesman pointed out that these courses will be open to graduates of the SSCs or SWD-subvented IVTCs.

     "The consensus reached today between the Government and the management of the VTC on the reprovisioning arrangements and proposed service model should be able to provide persons with disabilities with better facilities and enhanced services, improved vocational training services and strengthened employment support. The Government and the management of the VTC will continue to work closely and stay in touch with students, parents and local stakeholders towards the target of seamless transition in service provision," the spokesman said.
 
Ends/Friday, December 21, 2018
Issued at HKT 19:26
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