VPET plays a unique role in cultivating IT talent by equipping our next generation with skills, expertise, and clear career pathways for success.
By Sui Wah Ma, Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology
HKIIT: Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology
To address the growing need for IT talent in industry, Hong Kong's Vocational Training Council (VTC) established the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT) on November 1, 2023. HKIIT was originally the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education's IT discipline department and is Hong Kong's first dedicated IT tertiary institute (see Figure 1). It continues to be led by an experienced teaching team in the 2024/25 academic year. This institution has been tasked with offering comprehensive IT and relevant technology programs for secondary school graduates, working adults, and industry professionals.
In addition to providing pre-employment training programs, HKIIT also offers an in-service training service called SkillsUP. The institute works closely with industry partners to provide reskilling and upskilling training programs for industry practitioners, corporate professionals, and working adults. This equips them with the digital skills needed for the digital economy, in line with the government's innovation and technology initiatives.
Figure 1: Students from HKIIT, Hong Kong's first dedicated IT tertiary institute
HKIIT offers practical two-year Higher Diploma and one-year Diploma of Foundation Studies programs at multiple campuses to support students in different locations. These programs are closely aligned with industry needs to help cultivate students' professional knowledge and skills in the IT field, ensuring industry-specific educational content, facilities, and internship opportunities. Close collaboration with the industry ensures that our students are equipped with the latest skills and knowledge to excel in IT.
Earn and Learn Scheme: Two-year apprenticeship training
In 2021, we introduced a new initiative known as the Earn and Learn Scheme (see Figure 2). This scheme empowered 10 students to participate in a transformative two-year apprenticeship training program after completing their first year of their full-time Higher Diploma in Telecommunications and Networking. Over the course of 24 months, they attended classes on campus for one full day a week, while acquiring work experience with participating employers during the remaining four work days. This integrated approach combines on-the-job training with classroom learning, providing students with invaluable real-world experience and a stable income, as well as a recognized qualification. This scheme is now being extended to all students, with over 100 students enrolled and counting.
Figure 2: A participant of the Earn and Learn Scheme
Empowering ICT VPET: Our journey with Huawei
In the same year, Huawei provided us with the ICT Academy platform. After successfully completing the examinations, my colleagues and I have proudly taken on the role of instructors. This exceptional platform offers an abundance of meticulously curated videos and practical lab exercises, and serves as a wellspring of knowledge for our aspiring apprentices. We have launched multiple online courses in Huawei Certified ICT Associate (HCIA)-5G, HCIA-Cloud Services, HCIA-openEuler, and many more to meet our students' job-related requirements.
One notable success story is that of student Mr. K.H. Cheung. Armed with the basic knowledge gained from the 5G and cloud services courses of the Huawei ICT Academy, he embarked on his apprenticeship journey at a renowned mobile network service operator in Hong Kong. With the support and guidance of his experienced mentors, he gained first-hand real-world experience implementing Huawei's equipment and management software, showcasing his potential and establishing a strong foundation for his future career.
Our apprenticeship program, the Earn and Learn Scheme, in conjunction with Huawei's cutting-edge ICT learning platform, serves as an essential catalyst for the growth and development of our students. In our role as instructors, we hold a key position in imparting the confidence and skills needed for success in the ever-evolving field of information technology. With unwavering conviction, we firmly believe that, upon graduation, students such as Mr. Cheung and his peers will emerge as a powerful force for innovation and change in the field of ICT.
Figure 3: HKIIT students using the Huawei ICT Academy learning platform
The Huawei ICT Academy helps bridge the gap between talent supply and demand. The quality of the educational resources and learning materials provided by the Huawei ICT Academy is truly unparalleled. The academy provides an enriching and easily accessible learning environment (see Figure 3). Its exceptional quality and user-friendly features have garnered much praise from our students.
Huawei ICT Competition: Fostering excellence in our ICT community
In addition to the transformative impact of the Earn and Learn Scheme, the introduction of the Huawei ICT Competition has sparked an unprecedented level of motivation and enthusiasm among all of our students. This includes those not enrolled in the Earn and Learn Scheme, as well as our colleagues. As instructors, we are proud to cultivate an atmosphere that promotes engagement and motivates students to pursue diverse opportunities for professional growth. Their unwavering determination to excel in the competition has inspired them to push their limits and strive for excellence in the ICT arena.
Figure 4: HKIIT students who achieved remarkable success
in the Huawei ICT Competition
In the latest competition, our institute achieved remarkable success (see Figure 4). One of our student teams clinched the Second Prize in the Huawei ICT Competition's Computing Track, winning them a prize of HK$24,000. Moreover, all team members received offers for further education once they complete their Higher Diploma from prestigious programs such as HKUST's BEng in Computer Engineering, HKUST's BEng in Computer Science, and CityUHK's BEng in Computer and Data Engineering.
Our commitment to nurturing talent and fostering excellence remains unwavering. The Huawei ICT Competition serves as an excellent platform that guides our students toward a future where innovation knows no bounds.
Enablement with openEuler: Bridging the gap between secondary school programs and Higher Diplomas
In the coming year, we intend to focus more on the openEuler OS. While Linux remains one of the most popular platforms on the market, our first-year students are still often unfamiliar with it. openEuler is a foundational platform that we would like to integrate into the Raspberry Pis we use as testing devices. This would allow our first-year students to explore the operational capabilities and portability of openEuler (see Figure 5). Furthermore, the compact size of these single-board computers makes them suitable for students to use at home. We encourage students to pursue the Huawei Career Certification Examination for openEuler, as having Huawei certification can open doors to professional opportunities.
Figure 5: Students onboarding with an openEuler-based platform
Forward and beyond: Nurturing tomorrow's ICT talent
Within the dynamic landscape of the ICT industry, HKIIT's programs aim to address the in-demand and emerging IT skills needed by young individuals, primarily aged between 18 and 21. As their instructor, I have proudly witnessed their growth, as well as their dedication and the potential they hold to shape our shared future.
On behalf of our young talent, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Huawei and our industry partners for their support. Together, we cultivate talent ecosystems, which are instrumental for fostering innovation and propelling our industry towards a bright horizon.
