EDUCATION
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 two technical colleges and seven technical institutes, and provides industrial training for major industrial and service sectors. 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 conducted by the VTC's training boards and general committees. During the year, 11 sectors were surveyed. Based on survey findings, proposals are formulated for new or modified 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, organisation of out-centre training courses, the New Technology Training Scheme, training seminars and trade tests, and the preparation of job speci- fications, trade test guidelines, training curricula, and glossaries of common technical
terms.
Technical Education
Technical education at the higher technician level is provided by the VTC's two tech- nical colleges. Disciplines cover applied science, business administration, computing and mathematics, construction, design, electrical and electronic engineering, hotel catering and tourism management, manufacturing engineering and mechanical engineering. The colleges offer full-time higher diploma courses, and higher certificate courses on a part-time day-release or evening basis.
In October, the colleges enrolled 1 468 students on 33 full-time courses. The 43 part-time courses attracted 935 day students and 2 541 evening students.
Technical education at technician and craft levels is provided by the VTC's seven technical institutes. Disciplines cover accounting, chemical technology, child care, clothing technology, commercial studies, computing studies, construction, design, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, environmental studies, hairdressing, hotel-keeping and tourism studies, manufacturing engineering, marine engineering and fabrication, mechanical engineering, motor vehicle enginering, 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 part-time day-release or block-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 United Kingdom's Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC). Upon their completion, students may register for BTEC awards.
In September, the technical institutes offered 315 courses taught by 818 full-time teaching staff and about 740 supporting staff. Evening courses were delivered by 1913 part-time lecturers. Enrolment in the 1993–94 academic year totalled 9 000 full-time, 15 300 part-time day and 24 400 evening students. In addition, about 7 000 people in employment attended 208 short courses to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
In July, 4 700 full-time, 5 300 part-time day and 8 600 evening students graduated from the technical institutes. The employment of graduates from full-time courses was surveyed
147