TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 19.
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THEN, IN APRIL LAST YEAR, THE TEITD WAS SET UP TO TAKE CHARGE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING.
+THIS CENTRALISED ADMINISTRATION OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE HANDICAPPED ALSO MAKES HONG KONG DISTINCT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, + MR CHAN WING-TSUNG, ANOTHER INSPECTOR OF THE TEITD, SAID.
MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE +JOB-ORIENTED+ APPROACH COULD MORE REALISTICALLY SERVE THE PURPOSE OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING -- TO EQUIP THE TRAINEES WITH SKILLS TO OFFSET THEIR DISABILITIES SO THAT THEY MAY TAKE UP MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT.
THE TRAINING THUS FOSTERS PRIDE OF CRAFT BY GIVING THE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE A SENSE OF INDEPENDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT,
ALSO, AS PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS AND INSTRUCTORS HAVE CLOSE CONNECTIONS WITH COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, THEY ARE BETTER INFORMED ON INDUSTRIAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTS THAN SOCIAL WORKERS.
THESE CONNECTIONS, MR CHAN ADDED, CAN IN TURN HELP IMPROVE JOB PROSPECTS FOR THE TRAINEES.
BECAUSE OF HONG KONG'S LARGE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON INDUSTRY-RELATED TRAINING THOUGH COMMERCIAL COURSES HAVE ALSO PROVED USEFUL.
A SOPHISTICATED TRAINING CONCEPT, KNOWN AS THE MODULES OF EMPLOYABLE SKILLS+ (MES), WAS DEVELOPED HERE LAST YEAR WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF TWO INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS ON VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION.
UNDER THE MES, HANDICAPPED TRAINEES ARE GUIDED THROUGH SUCCESSIVE TRAINING COURSES, EACH MODIFIED TO SUIT HIS PARTICULAR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, INTELLIGENCE AND PERSONALITY TRAITS.
ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION, HONG KONG IS THE FIRST-EVER TERRITORY TO APPLY THIS MODERN CONCEPT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED.
THE TE ITD RECENTLY STARTED A SPECIALLY-DESIGNED VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT SERVICE FOR ALL HANDICAPPED PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 15.
THE VOCATIONAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF INDIVIDUAL DISABLED PERSONS ARE ASSESSED TO PRODUCE ACCURATE PERSPECTIVE FOR THE IR TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT PLACEMENTS.
MR RIBEIRO POINTED OUT THAT SOME COUNTRIES IN THE REGION HAD SHOWN INTEREST IN HONG KONG'S APPROACH.
THE PHILIPPINES LAST YEAR SENT THREE OFFICERS HERE TO SEE, AMONG OTHER ASPECTS OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR THE HANDICAPPED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MES CONCEPT AND THE ASSESSMENT SERVICE. SINGAPORE HAS ALSO REQUESTED INFORMATION.
/AT PRESENT,