Catering Industry Training Information
Qualifications Framework (QF)
The QF is a seven level hierarchy covering qualifications of academic, vocational and continuing education sectors, which indicates the articulation ladders between different levels of qualifications.
In April 2004, the Government assisted the Chinese Catering industry to set up its Qualifications Framework Advisory Committee to implement the QF with a view to fostering a life-long learning environment for enhancing the competitiveness of catering practitioners. The Specification of Competency Standards and Progression Pathways, drawn up by the Committee in December 2008 and January 2013 respectively, set out the competency standards required at various levels, i.e. the actual knowledge and skill requirements in different functional areas of the industry. In order to benefit a wider spectrum of practitioners in the catering sector, the Committee has extended its ambit to cover the whole catering industry in January 2015, and was renamed as Catering Industry Training Advisory Committee.
Vocational Training Council (VTC)
The VTC is the largest vocational education and training provider in Hong Kong. Supporting industries in their manpower development, VTC offers catering related programmes for secondary school leavers and in-service employees.
Employees Retraining Board (ERB)
The ERB offers training courses to Hong Kong eligible employees aged 15 or above with educational attainment at sub-degree level or below. Training courses including full-time placement-tied courses for the unemployed and half-day or evening courses for both the unemployed and in-service workers are offered for the catering industry. These courses provide both general trade skills training on restaurant operation and management as well as specific skills training such as culinary and preparation of alcoholic beverages.
Diploma Yi Jin (DYJ) Programme
The DYJ Programme provides an alternative pathway for Secondary 6 school leavers and adult learners to obtain a formal qualification for employment and further study. In addition to basic core subjects, DYJ students are required to study one elective cluster comprising three subjects mainly of a practical nature. Catering-related elective clusters/courses(Note) are offered under the DYJ Programme.
(Note: The academic year of the full-time DYJ Programme begins in early September each year. Please visit Yi Jin website, www.yijin.edu.hk or contact the DYJ provider institutions for details of the admission arrangement for both the full-time and part-time DYJ programme.)
Post‐Secondary Education
Locally-accredited catering-related programmes are offered by various post-secondary institutions, including :
