XN000022-1978-09-05 — Page 4

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1978

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TOURISM GRADUATES IN GREAT DEMAND

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THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WHICH OPENED IN SEPTEMBER 1977 HAS ALREADY ACHIEVED ITS AIMS BY TURNING OUT GRADUATES IN GREAT DEMAND BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

THE INSTITUTE TOOK THE LEAD IN SETTING UP A HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE PARTIALLY TRAINED PERSONNEL FOR THESE IMPORTANT AREAS AND HAS SO FAR PRODUCED 120 GRADUATES WHO HAVE BEEN OFFERED JOBS BEFORE THEY EVEN COMPLETED THE COURSE.

THE VICE PRINCIPAL OF THE INSTITUTE, MR. KO CHEUK-LUEN SAID: +THIS RESPONSE IS MOST ENCOURAGING AND WILL GO TOWARDS EASING THE SHORTAGE OF TRAINED STAFF FOR THIS GROWING INDUSTRY.

THE HAKING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OFFERS, AMONG THE VARIOUS TECHNICAL COURSES, FULL-TIME CERTIFICATE COURSES IN GENERAL CATERING, HOTEL RECEPTION AND OFFICE STUDIES, AND TOURISM CO-ORDINATION. NUMEROUS PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE AND EVENING COURSES IN PROFESSIONAL COOKERY, WINE AND BEVERAGE SERVICE, AND COURSES FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ARE ALSO PROVIDED.

MR. KO SAID: THE FULL-TIME COURSES IN THE HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM STUDIES DEPARTMENT ARE OPEN TO FORM FIVE LEAVERS WHO ARE FLUENT IN ENGLISH, MATURE IN THEIR OUTLOOK AND AMBITIOUS. FOR THOSE WHO INTEND TO BECOME TOURIST CO-ORDINATION OFFICERS, A PLEASANT APPEARANCE IS AN ESSENTIAL ASSET AND A SENSE OF HUMOUR AN ADVANTAGE.+

THE COURSES LAY GREAT EMPHASIS ON PRACTICAL WORK AND STUDENTS OF THE GENERAL CATERING COURSE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICE AT LUNCH TIME IN THE INSTITUTE'S TRAINING RESTAURANT AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH RESERVATIONS ON WEEKDAYS.

+THIS ARRANGEMENT IS TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO PREPARE AND TO SERVE CUSTOMERS BEFORE THEY ENTER THE TRADE, MR. KO EXPLAINED.

HE ADDED THAT THE SCOPE OF TRAINING FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS IS COMPREHENSIVE AND AS THEY ARE BEING GROOMED TO BE MIDDLE MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW EVERY ASPECT OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

MR. KO ALSO URGED THE MANAGEMENT OF HOTELS AND TOURIST AGENCIES TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STAFF TO ENROL IN APPROPRIATE PART-TIME DAY-RELEASE OR EVENING COURSES.

+PART-TIME COURSES ARE BENEFICIAL TO BOTH THE EMPLOYER AND THE STAFF AS THEY ARE DESIGNED PARTICULARLY FOR PEOPLE IN THE TRADE AND THEIR TRAINING WILL EVENTUALLY HELP THEM TO ENHANCE THE

IMAGE OF THE COMPANIES CONCERNED, MR. KO SAID.

APART FROM HOTEL-KEEPING AND TOURISM COURSES THE HAK ING WONG TECHNICAL INSTITUTE ALSO OFFERS COURSES IN CONSTRUCTION, MARINE AND FABRICATION, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER ING.

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