EDUCATION
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keeps in close touch with institutions, official and unofficial bodies concerned with the welfare of overseas students, and societies of Hong Kong students in colleges. It liaises with the Student Financial Assistance Agency to administer the UK-HK Joint Funding Scheme.
Technical Education and Industrial Training
A comprehensive system of technical education and industrial training offers school leavers an alternative to further academic study, and helps to prepare them for specific careers. Publicly funded technical education is provided through the Vocational Training Council (VTC), which operates eight technical institutes. The VTC also provides industrial training for 18 industrial and service sectors, while two other training authorities operate levy-funded training schemes for the clothing and construction industries.
The manpower needs of each economic sector are identified by regular manpower surveys, produced under the auspices of VTC training boards and general committees. During the year, 11 sectors were surveyed. Based on survey findings, proposals are formulated for new or modifed training courses. Other measures adopted by the VTC and its boards and committees to help employers meet their needs include assistance with in-house staff training schemes and the preparation of job specifications, trade test guidelines, training curricula and glossaries of common technical terms.
Technical Education
Technical education is provided by the VTC's technical institutes, whose 15 disciplines cover applied science, clothing, commercial studies, computing studies, construction, design, electrical and electronic engineering, general studies, hotel keeping and tourism, industrial technology, marine engineering and fabrication, mechanical engineering, motor vehicle engineering, printing, and textiles.
Courses leading to a recognised qualification are offered at two levels with several modes of attendance. Courses for craft apprentices, usually Secondary 3 leavers, are offered on a block release or part-time day release basis. At technician level full-time day, part-time day and part-time evening courses are offered, mostly for Secondary 5 leavers. Most technician courses are validated by the UK Business and Technician Education Council. Students completing them may register for BTEC awards.
In September 1991, the institutes offered 340 courses taught by 874 full-time teaching staff and about 800 supporting staff. Evening courses were delivered by 2 240 part-time lecturers. Enrolment in the 1990-91 academic year totalled 12 300 full-time, 15 600 part-time day and 29 600 part-time evening students. Eighteen thousand serving employees attended 320 short courses to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
In July, 6 400 full-time, 5 400 part-time day and 10 100 evening students graduated from the institutes. The employment of graduates from full-time courses was surveyed during the year. Once again findings showed that graduates had little difficulty in finding jobs, and that for most of them the work was relevant to the training they had received.
Industrial Training
The VTC's 18 industrial training centres provide basic training or skills upgrading for industrial craftsmen and technicians, and for clerical and supervisory personnel in the service sector. In 1991, over 30 000 trainees attended full-time or part-time courses. Trade tests for serving employees were offered in several trades, including vehicle mechanic,
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