The development of vocational and professional education and training in Hong Kong

Abstract

The Hong Kong Government has long advocated for the expansion of vocational education and training to include a professional aspect. The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) was established in 2012 as the region's first specialized institution for Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET). This research aims to understand the evolution of VPET through THEi, including its achievements and challenges during its initial operational cycle.

To accomplish this, the study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of previous literature and incorporates research on vocational and professional education into a theoretical framework inspired by new vocationalism and human capital theory. Previous research has suggested that while traditional vocational methods are beneficial in vocational education and training (VET), they may have limitations in nurturing graduates as future human capital. On the other hand, the ideology of new vocationalism promotes strong institute-industry relations and views education as an investment in human capital development. This study seeks to enhance our understanding of the potential and limitations of VPET in preparing individuals for the modern workforce by evaluating THEi's experiences.

The current study adopts a qualitative case study approach, involving in-depth interviews with a diverse range of individuals from THEi, including leadership, administration, teaching staff, and students. These interviews were conducted between 2015 and 2016. Additionally, the researcher reviewed a selection of non-confidential internal documents and drew upon observations made during their time at THEi to gain a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Four aspects of VPET development are discussed: 1) students, 2) staff, 3) institute, and 4) industry. The study's conclusions indicate that all respondents appreciated this new VPET policy advancement. Students perceive themselves as being more competitive in the labour market due to the education they receive. However, staff respondents assert that maintaining the advantage of VPET is challenging due to inconsistent positioning of the institute, the need to update practical skills, and the acquisition and maintenance of industry networks.

The research findings align with the existing literature on new vocationalism and, moreover, provide new insights to the research and policy literature by highlighting the unique contributions of VPET staff to the success of VPET development.

Date of Award	9 May 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Lucy A Kelly (Supervisor) & Gemma Derrick (Supervisor)