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Vocational Training
As part of the process in determining the overall manpower requirements of Hong Kong, the Vocational Training Council (VTC), through its training bodies, conducts surveys biennially of the manpower requirements of the different sector of the industries. These studies provide a solid basis upon which the VTC develops its courses for the students. Last year, some 100,000 places were offered in the VTC programme. Next year, we will spend $1.4 billion on the VTC programme offering about 110,000 places.
The VTC has been making a valuable contribution to our manpower supply. But we should not be complacent. We must ensure that the young people attending VTC courses will continue to be provided with a comprehensive system of technical education and industrial training suited to Hong Kong's ever changing needs. I therefore intend to commission a consultancy to undertake a review of the VTC including its programme of activities. We shall of course work closely with the VTC in this important exercise.
Employees Retraining Board
Hong Kong's success has been built on the dedication of entrepreneurs and the hard work of our labour force. The economy of Hong Kong took off in the 50s when our factories began to produce goods that were sold all over the world. The workers in the factories were skilled, industrious, productive and flexible. Those qualities were instrumental in making Hong Kong what we are today. Many of the workers who have helped to build this dynamic economy are still in their prime. We need to upgrade the skills of those who are already in our workforce and to equip those who have been displaced as a result of the economic restructuring. The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) was set up in 1992 precisely for these purposes. In the short time since its establishment, the ERB has provided over 80,000 training places. This is a reflection of its popularity and the eagerness of our workers to improve themselves.
I am convinced that ERB will continue to remain an integral part of our manpower supply. I am also convinced that it has the potential to provide an even better service to our workers. So it is only right that we take stock of what we have done and ask ourselves some searching questions. I have started discussions with the ERB on the commissioning of a consultancy study to review the direction and strategy of our retraining programme. Both this and the VTC study will be completed early next year. They will provide Government and the two bodies with a very good basis for setting our sights in the next 5 or 10 years.