VPET International Conference, WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition and Carnival 2017 conclude successfully
The most prominent event in Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and the skills sector in Hong Kong, the VPET International Conference, WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition and Carnival 2017, concluded successfully today (17 June) after two days, attracting a turnout of some 20, 000 members of the public who shared the fun of skills. A number of winners emerged from a variety of skills competitions. Among them, Hong Kong competitors clinched the gold award in four competitions, including Beauty Therapy, Electrical Installations, IT Software Solutions for Bussiness and Mobile Robotics, attesting to the worldclass standard of local VPET.Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony, Chairman of the Standing Committee on Youth Skills Competition of Hong Kong Herman HUI Chung-shing said, “Vocational and professional education and training is vital in building a better and more sustainable world. The WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition 2017 serves not only as a platform for young competitors from around the world to showcase their talents and skills, but also to promote the significance of skills in economic development and advance society to a higher level of civilisation. Through this event, the public will better understand the underlying relationship of VPET to the development of our society.” He went on to say that visitors to the two-day event had a unique opportunity to explore various interesting and exciting activities, including skills competitions, try a skill, career advice, and the showcasing of secondary students’ skills which went to raise their awarenss of VPET.
Officiating at the ceremony, Consul-General of the United Arab Emirates in Hong Kong, Nabila Abdelaziz Nasir Saeed Alshamsi said, “I am delighted to see the young participants showcasing their skill training achievements in this competition. It reminds me of a Chinese saying ‘One minute on stage takes ten years of practice off stage.’ Therefore, thanks to WorldSkills International for continuously paying an effort to raise people’s awareness of traditional trade and craft skills, apart from introducing the newer technologies required by multi-skilled vocations in the age of globalisation.”
Over 40 competitors from a number of countries/regions including Canada, France, Japan and Russia took part in the WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition, contesting their skills in 12 trades including beauty therapy, mobile robotics, visual merchandising, plumbing and heating, and electrical installations. Each trade selected its gold, silver and bronze and medallion for excellence (Please refer to Annex 1 for the list of winners.) Outstanding Hong Kong competitors may be selected to represent Hong Kong in the WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017 to be held in The United Arab Emirates in October this year.
At the prize presentation ceremony, winners of the Hong Kong Team Uniform Design Competition were also announced. Their design will be adapted for the formal suit and work wear of the WorldSkills Hong Kong team. (The wining list is appended at Annex 2.) Over 50 students of the Higher Diploma in Fashion Design from the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), a member institution of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), took part in the competition. The judges found the winning works, inspired by the theme of bauhinia, brightly-coloured and chic, a true reflection of the spirit of Hong Kong. Hong Kong competitors will wear the unform designed by HKDI students to join WorldSkills Abu Dhabi 2017.
The event is a celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the VTC, and is also a designated celebration event for the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Apart from the WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition, the public took part in the 30 and more Try-a-Skill activities and attended talks delivered by industry experts free of charge. The VPET International Conference 2017 gathered education and VPET leaders from different countries and regions to share the latest developments and trends in VPET the world over. At the Government Leaders’ Roundtable, education officials of Malaysia, Thailand and the Mainland, along with HKSAR Secretary for Education, Eddie NG, Hak-kim exchanged information and ideas on the development of VPET in the global arena.
About The WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition
In Hong Kong, Skills Competitions are organised by The Standing Committee on Youth Skills Competition, comprising representatives from the VTC, Construction Industry Council, Clothing Industry Training Authority and elites from industries, which has been actively promoting the importance of skills and organising various local and international skills competition to select suitable talents to participate in the WorldSkills Competitions.
About the Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) International Conference 2017
The VPET International Conference, also known as the“VPET Connex 2017”, is jointly organised by the Education Bureau of The HKSAR Government and the VTC. VPET Connex 2017 aims to bring leaders, policy makers and practitioners in VPET from around the world together to share best practice and strengthen collaboration among VPET partners and institutions.
Media Enquiries: 2836 1790 / 2836 1046
Annex 1
Results of WorldSkills Hong Kong Competition 2017
Skills Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Medallion for Excellence |
Beauty Therapy | LAU Wai-yin, Hong Kong | TIEU Jeng-yee, Malaysia; WANG Qi, China | Khole NG Si-si, Singapore | Nil |
Electrical Installations | CHAN Siu-lam, Hong Kong | JIANG Hai, China | LEI Tong-lok, Macao; MAKLIAEV Llia, Russia | Nil |
IT Software Solutions for Business | CHONG Tak-ki, Hong Kong; RAKHMATULLIN Timerlan, Russia | Nil | YAMAMOTO Ryo, Japan | Nil |
Mobile Robotics | LEUNG Ka-ching and NG Pak-yeung, Hong Kong | ARSLANOV Oscar and MIFTAKHOV Emil, Russia | CHIO Wan-long and LEI Chi-san, Macao | Nil |
Visual Merchandising | NURSHINOV Umar, Russia | KOK Weng-I, Macao | LUNG Chi-sing, Hong Kong | Sabrina CHUNG Wai-han, Hong Kong |
Mechatronics | DENG Yi-zhen and YE Zi-jin, China | CHIAO Yu-cheng and TSAI Chia-chen, Chinese Taipei | KONG Chun-yat and SO Tsz-kin, Hong Kong | CHENG Keng-fai and WONG Hou-weng, Macao |
Plumbing and Heating | CHARRON Anthony, France; ZHENG Ke, China | Nil | FISHER Justin, Canada | SCHEVCHENKO Maksim, Russia; WONG Suet-ying, Hong Kong |
Bricklaying | ZHANG Ruibo, China | YAU Ho-him, Hong Kong | KHERKUN Sergey, Russia | Nil |
Painting and Decorating | BALVANOVA Valeria, Russia | WONG Mei-sze, Hong Kong | Nil | Nil |
Wall Tiling | CUI Zhaoju, China | UKHANKIN Mikhail, Russia | YIP Kim-fai, Hong Kong | Nil |
Joinery | Joinery CHATELAIN Anthony, France | SUEN Yiu-pan, Hong Kong | CHEN Zekun, China | Nil |
Annex 2:
Hong Kong Team Uniform Design Competition
Category | Champion |
Official Suit | FUNG Wan-ying |
Work Gear | LI Yun-qin, TANG Sin-ying |