Multiple articulation pathways
8 July 2018
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The results of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination are about to be released. My advice to students is to stay positive and look forward.
It is a time that calls for their wisdom and courage to choose with care the next steps and future directions most suitable for themselves. All roads lead to Rome. You will certainly find your way to success after putting in all the hard work.
The Government attaches great importance to nurturing young people. Investing in education is always an on-going commitment. Enhancing the development and upward mobility of the next generation is the goal of the current-term Government.
Over the years, the Government has strived to open up a broad and diversified range of study choices for secondary school graduates. This year's DSE candidates (of day schools) total about 50 600, while nearly 70 000 post-secondary places are offered by various programmes in the territory. The provision of places is sufficient to accommodate the current cohort of candidates and, at the same time, provide diversified study choices.
Everyone has different aspirations and abilities. In Hong Kong, there are multiple articulation pathways for students to choose from, including undergraduate degree or sub-degree programmes at local universities or tertiary institutions, vocational and professional education training (VPET), Diploma Yi Jin and other education courses.
Hong Kong has 20 degree-awarding tertiary institutions that deliver a total of more than 300 undergraduate programmes. Meanwhile, nearly 30 tertiary institutions offer about 400 sub-degree programmes in various disciplines. For the 2018/19 academic year, these institutions will provide over 50 000 full-time locally accredited post-secondary places in total, including undergraduate and sub-degree places.
According to preliminary statistics, about 48% of young people in the relevant age group have access to degree-level education in the 2017/18 academic year. If sub-degree education is included, over 70% of them have access to post-secondary education.
Apart from the traditional academic options, students may also consider VPET, which provides full-time and part-time programmes at different levels (including bachelor degree, sub-degree and Diploma Yi Jin levels) to meet the needs of different students.
In recent years, STEM (i.e. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programmes are very popular among students. To look ahead, you might also consider programmes on emerging industries, such as game software development, animation, biomedicine and financial technology. Publicly-funded higher diploma programmes on these subjects are provided by the Vocational Training Council (VTC).
Moreover, courses relevant to infrastructural projects should not be overlooked. Take the airport's Three-Runway System as an example. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2024. Following the commencement of the new system, the aviation industry as a whole will see a remarkable growth of over 70 000 jobs, as compared with about 90 000 direct jobs and 120 000 indirect or induced jobs under the present Two-Runway System. The manpower demand will be keen, and we must seize the time to nurture sufficient talent accordingly.
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In this regard, the VTC is providing training for young people interested in joining the aviation industry. Over 700 training places at different levels are offered every year, nearly half of which are related to aircraft maintenance engineering. Besides teaching professional knowledge and skills in aircraft maintenance, internship opportunities are also provided to help trainees meet the qualification requirements for the aircraft maintenance licence recognised by the Civil Aviation Department. In addition, the VTC will launch the VTC Earn & Learn Scheme for the Aviation Industry in collaboration with the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy, under which apprentices will work in organisations in the industry while studying the Diploma of Foundation Studies (Aviation). Apprentices can therefore acquire the requisite knowledge and know-how and earn an allowance at the same time.
More cutting-edge learning facilities are also essential for training up more professionals in aircraft maintenance engineering. The Government has announced its support for the VTC to construct the Aviation and Marine Engineering Centre on the site of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi). The new compound is expected to feature a light aircraft hangar, training rooms with aircraft systems and components, flight simulators, body parts of aircraft, a flight experience centre and other facilities related to navigation education, providing a near-real training environment for course participants. The novel training facilities will help strengthen our position as the regional aviation hub, and facilitate the sustainable development of the aviation industry in Hong Kong as well as in the region.
Quite a number of parents and students consider traditional academic programmes superior to VPET. This is actually a misconception. Every trade has its masters, as the saying goes. Parents and students should not be bound by old concepts. Students should make the best use of the multiple articulation pathways and actively equip themselves according to their interests, aspirations and abilities. If they take the long view, they will find development opportunities abound. In fact, VPET graduates are no longer the manual labourers of the past, but professional technical talent with career prospects comparable to those of their university counterparts.
Parents should listen to the thoughts and feelings of their children, respect their wishes, and provide support and assistance as appropriate for them to plan for their own future. This is also to allow children to take responsibility for their own decisions and embrace challenges in their lives.
No matter how DSE results turn out, students should make good use of the flexible study or career pathways with multiple entry and exit points. What matters most is to actively equip yourself, apply yourself in the areas you have chosen, and live out your goals.
