With the Paris 2024 Olympics currently under way, a wave of sports enthusiasm is sweeping across Hong Kong. At the same time, the rapid development of Hong Kong’s sports industry is fuelling a surge in demand for skilled professionals. Leveraging their respective strengths in Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and sports development sector, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) and Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to nurture talent across the sports, recreation and entertainment industries, helping drive the growth of this sector in Hong Kong.
The MoU signing ceremony was held at the KTSP Experience Centre last Thursday (25 July), with VTC Deputy Executive Director Dr Michael WANG and KTSP Project Director Mr John SHARKEY signing the agreement.
Dr WANG said that VTC and KTSP gathered to celebrate and formalise their collaboration through the signing of the MoU, signifying not only a reaffirmed commitment to nurturing talent but also bridge the gap between academia and industry. He added that this partnership would empower VTC students to thrive in the ever-evolving sports sector while contributing to the growth and prosperity of the industry as a whole.
Mr John SHARKEY, Project Director at KTSP said, “Kai Tak Sports Park serves as the future home venue for Hong Kong, will become an iconic sports and entertainment landmark in the heart of the city upon completion, offering vibrant and extraordinary experiences for visitors. By collaborating with an institution like VTC, KTSP aims to create more opportunities for Hong Kong youth to engage with the events industry. This will help cultivate a new generation of venue and sector professionals, enhancing the industry's professionalism and development.”
Under this collaboration, KTSP will provide internship and part-time job opportunities for Degree and Higher Diploma students from the VTC. This will enable students to benefit from hands-on experience and to enhance their professional knowledge and practical skills. KTSP will also support their participation in various industry-based projects, integrating application and learning practices to deepen their understanding of the industry, and prepare students for future careers through the “Integrated Career Programme Plan”. Moreover, VTC staff will be able to keep abreast of latest developments in the sports industry and understand its talent needs through staff attachment opportunities offered by KTSP.
As a further means of promoting the sports and hospitality industries to the wider community, VTC and KTSP will launch a “Mobile Classroom Series” covering a wide range of professional areas, including sports therapy, sports coaching, sports management, smart sports, hospitality and tourism, etc. Through upskilling workshops, job tasters and competitions, VTC students can acquire and apply industry skills and knowledge in a real-life setting.
About Vocational Training Council（VTC）
Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 14 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI), the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Pro-Act by VTC, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.
Website: www.vtc.edu.hk
About Kai Tak Sports Park
Kai Tak Sports Park is a fully integrated sports, leisure and entertainment destination. The 28-hectare Sports Park will be part of the redevelopment on the site of the old Hong Kong International Airport in Kai Tak. The Sports Park features a 50,000-seat Kai Tak Main Stadium with a retractable roof, an Kai Tak Arena with the flexibility to host community sports and events of up to 10,000 seats, and a Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground with a capacity of 5,000 seats. These venues will be complemented with extensive public open spaces for events and leisure together with retail and harbour front dining spaces.
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