The Vocational Training Council (VTC) and the Consumer Council have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), deepening collaboration between the two organisations in Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET). The partnership aims to strengthen talent development, support the industry in enhancing service quality, and promote consumer rights, thereby contributing to the sustainable economic development of Hong Kong.
The signing ceremony took place yesterday (18 March) at the Chai Wan campus of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE). Witnessed by Jeffrey LAM, Chairman of VTC and Clement CHAN, Chairman of the Consumer Council, the MoU was signed by Donald TONG, Executive Director of VTC and Dr Alaina SHUM, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council.
In his remarks, VTC Chairman Jeffrey LAM said, VTC has been committed to nurturing talent equipped with practical skills, a strong sense of social responsibility, and a vision for sustainable development. Through close collaborations with various industries, VTC provides VPET that responds to the evolving needs of society and industry for both young people and working adults. This collaboration reflects the shared vision of VTC and the Consumer Council to deepen cooperation in talent development and public services, drive the continuous development of Hong Kong’s service sector and society, and jointly create long‑term value for Hong Kong.
Consumer Council Chairman Clement CHAN stated that “education” has always been part of the Council’s DNA and is integral to its consumer protection efforts, “With the signing of this MoU with VTC, we believe the combined fortes of the two organisations will strengthen synergy, further integrating our core values of ‘professionalism + education’. We are actively preparing for our joint training programmes aimed at enhancing the professional capabilities of frontline service practitioners, which we believe could directly improve the consumer experience. The Council will also provide internship opportunities for young people to take part in promoting a fair marketplace, allowing the next generation’s creativity to become a new driving force for consumer empowerment.”
Under the MoU, VTC and the Consumer Council will jointly organise professional training programmes. Real-life complaint cases and the Consumer Council’s professional expertise will be integrated into the training to strengthen frontline service practitioners’ abilities in handling and responding to complaints, and deepen their understanding of consumer rights and responsibilities.
The Consumer Council will also offer internship opportunities to VTC Higher Diploma students, enabling them to apply their learning in real workplace settings while deepening their understanding of the importance of consumer protection and broadening their horizons.
In addition, VTC will provide professional advisory support to the Consumer Council in its product tests and research studies, covering various topics of mutual interest such as consumer goods, health and other related services. This will help ensure such projects remain closely aligned with professional industry standards and keep abreast of the latest developments.
To promote continuing professional development, VTC will also support the Consumer Council through a range of training opportunities, including trainings on emerging technologies such as cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, further strengthening the Council’s professional knowledge and capabilities.
Photo captions:
Photo 1:
| Photo 1: The VTC and Consumer Council sign an MoU with Jeffrey LAM, Chairman of VTC (back row, left) and Clement CHAN, Chairman of the Consumer Council (back row, right) as witnesses. The MoU is signed by Donald TONG, Executive Director of VTC (front row, left) and Dr Alaina SHUM, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council (front row, right). |
Photo 2:
| Photo 2: Jeffrey LAM, Chairman of the VTC, delivers a speech. |
Photo 3:
| Photo 3: Clement CHAN, Chairman of the Consumer Council, delivers a speech. |
