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Education

administration and information technology. The courses are offered through the VTC's 13 member institutions, such as the Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge, International Culinary Institute, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong and Youth College. The VTC also administers an apprenticeship scheme and provides trade testing and certification.

The VTC's government-funded Pilot Training and Support Scheme seeks to attract and retain talent for industries with a keen demand for labour, by integrating structured apprenticeships with clear career progression pathways. The scheme will be regularised in 2019-20, with the number of training places increased from 1,000 to 1,200 per year. The VTC also receives recurrent funding to provide industrial attachment for about 9,000 students every year.

Diploma Yi Jin Programme

The Diploma Yi Jin Programme provides an alternative channel for Secondary 6 school leavers and adult learners to earn a formal qualification for employment and continuing education purposes. It is run by seven self-financing institutions and may be taken either full-time or part- time. The 2018-19 enrolment exceeded 4,000 students.

Evening Secondary Courses

The Financial Assistance Scheme for Designated Evening Adult Education Courses offers evening secondary courses conducted by approved course providers. About 1,100 adult students were enrolled in 2018-19.

Student Achievements

Hong Kong students excel in international competitions. In 2018, Hong Kong teams won a total of four gold, 15 silver and five bronze medals in the International Mathematical Olympiad, International Physics Olympiad, International Olympiad of Metropolises, International Olympiad in Informatics and International Junior Science Olympiad.

In music, Hong Kong students won a bronze in the Singapore International Choral Festival; one first prize, two second prizes, one third prize and a special prize in the International Choral Competition Polifonico Guido d' Arezzo; one second place in the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod; and a grand prix award, five golds and one silver in the International Youth Music Festival. The city also recorded two champions in the World Choir Games and one young scholar in the Young Scholars Programme.

In the visual arts, Hong Kong students won two golds and a silver in Infomatrix-Asia; eight golds in the Mizyal Gallery Museum Children's Art Competition Gaziantep; 16 first-class honours in the International Year of the Reef Art and Design Competition; a special award in the Walt Disney Family Museum Teen Animation Festival International; an award for Best Collection - Golden Brush in the Small Montmartre of Bitola; and a number of prizes in the International Children's Exhibition of Fine Arts Lidice.

In sports, Hong Kong students won a bronze at the Youth Olympic Games; two golds, four silvers and three bronzes at the International School Sport Federation Gymnasiade; third place

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