Winners of Best Apprentice Competition 2016 to demonstrate professional vehicle repairing skills
Twelve apprentices were shortlisted into the final round of the competition, which was divided into two groups, namely the Vehicle Mechanic/Electrician group, and the Vehicle Body Repair/Painting group. The former were tested on their skills in engine performance measurement, as well as maintaining engines, braking and air-conditioning systems. The latter competed on repairing damaged body panels, welding bodywork, and replacing and adjusting car body and car painting.
Guest of Honour, Deputy Director of the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, TAI Tak-him said, “In the final competition, the performance of the graduating apprentices is really to be applauded as they successfully gave a new lease of life to a dying vehicle within 45 minutes with their accurate judgement and consummate skills. I believe these ‘auto doctors’ will be able to give their best in the workplace in the days to come, adding impetus to the auto maintenance industry.” He added that the Government was committed to raising the standard and professionalism of the auto maintenance industry, and the support of the young apprentices was much valued.
LEUNG Tat-ming, Chairman of the VTC Automobile Training Board and Convenor of the Working Party on the Best Apprentice Competition, said, “According to the 2016 Manpower Survey Report on the Automobile Industry to be released shortly, the local auto maintenance industry recorded over 900 vacancies as at the survey period in March 2016. Among the vacancies, 660 were at craftsmen level, a rise of 130 over the previous two years. Clearly the manpower shortage trend is persisting.” He pointed out that since the auto industry joined the VTC Earn & Learn Scheme in the fourth quarter of 2014, the number of new registered apprentices had risen from 150 to 265. Such a response in the span of less than two years was encouraging. It was hoped that the industry would continue to support the scheme to attract more entrants to pursue long-term development in the trade, thus alleviating the chronic manpower shortage.
Now in its 31st year, the Best Apprentice Competition is organised by the VTC Automobile Training Board for participation on a voluntary basis by students graduating in Vehicle Mechanics, Vehicle Electrics, Vehicle Body Repair and Vehicle Painting. Since inception in 1986, the competition has received the staunch support of employers and apprentices. This year a total of 32 competitors nominated by their employers took part, of whom 12 were shortlisted for the final competition. There they competed for a total of six awards, namely the championship and first, second and third runner-up prizes in the Vehicle Mechanic/Electrician group, and first and second prizes in the Vehicle Body Repair/Painting group.
The Automobile Training Board is one of the 26 training boards and general committees under the VTC. The boards and committees conduct regular manpower surveys to collect updated information on the manpower situation of their respective industries to forecast manpower growth, ascertain training demands, and formulate proposals to employers, and education and training providers to meet the demands for industry professionals.
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Annex: Winners of the 2016 Best Apprentice Competition
| Vehicle Mechanic/Electrician Group | ||
| Name of Winner | Name of Company | |
|
Champion |
LAM Wa-shing | Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited |
|
First Runner-up |
YIP Tak-ming | The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Limited |
|
Second Runner-up |
CHENG Chung-tak | The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Limited |
|
Third Runner-up |
HO Wai-man | Dah Chong Hong (Motor Service Centre) Limited |
| Vehicle Body Repair/Painting Group | ||
| Name of Winner | Name of Company | |
|
Champion |
FUNG TSZ-hin | BMW Concessionaires (HK) Limited |
|
First Runner-up |
WONG Yiu-san | BMW Concessionaires (HK) Limited |
