Application Guidelines

INDUSTRY TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEEQF AWARD SCHEME FOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES(2013 – 2014)1. ObjectivesGUIDANCE NOTES1.1 The Award Scheme is applicable to practitioners working in those industries having set up anIndustry Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) to implement the Qualifications Framework (QF).The primary objective is to encourage these practitioners to take part in work related learningactivities to be held locally in Hong Kong or outside Hong Kong in order to gain wider exposureand to network with local or overseas counterparts. Practitioners receiving the award are expectedto exemplify the spirit of QF, and to promote the industry’s career prospects so as to attract morenew talents to join the industry.1.2 Applicants are advised to access the dedicated webpage of the Award Scheme(www.hkqf.gov.hk/AwardScheme.asp) which has listed out all the industries implementing theAward Scheme for 2013-14 and those learning activities identified by each of the involvedindustries.2. Scope and type of learning activities2.1 Respective ITACs may set out the scope and type of industry-related learning activities, which arewidely recognized in the industry, to be held within or outside Hong Kong, and set up a SelectionPanel to conduct one or two rounds of selection per year. The Qualifications Framework Secretariat(QFS) will assist with the support and administration work.2.2 Learning activities identified by respective ITACs may include contests, conferences, seminars,study tours, etc. but exclusive of various kinds of education and training programmes. Suchlearning activities should have enrolment procedures and criteria. Learning activities shouldnormally take place within a financial year (that is, from 1 April of current year to 31 March of thefollowing year), but for the 2013-14 round, learning activities may take place between September2013 and June 2014.2.3 Selection Panel may consider learning activities not set out by the ITAC, but the applicant shouldstate the reasons and objectives for joining the activity, and the relevance and importance of theactivity to his/her industry or job post on the application form.3. Number and amount of awards3.1 A maximum of 3 applicants may be selected by respective ITACs for award in each financial year.Awards are of two categories:

INDUSTRY TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEEQF AWARD SCHEME FOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES(2013 – 2014)- Awardees attending learning activities held within Hong Kong will receive an award ofHK$10,000;- Awardees attending learning activities held outside Hong Kong will receive an award ofHK$30,000.3.2 Successful applicants, after completion of the learning activity, will have to submit a written report(sample template of written report is available in the HKQF website) within two months, and theaward will be granted to the successful applicant(s) within 30 days.4. Eligibility of applicantsApplicants must:(a) be a Hong Kong resident (that is, they have the right of abode, or right of entry, or right of stay inHong Kong without any conditions); and(b) be an incumbent practitioner in the industry concerned; and(c) have completed a QF-recognized programme, and/or acquired a RPL qualification.5. Application procedures5.1 The Qualifications Framework Secretariat will openly invite applications in the first quarter of ayear (except for 2013-14 financial year) from practitioners of industries implementing the AwardScheme. Details of applications will be promulgated in the HKQF website (www.hkqf.gov.hk) andother suitable media.5.2 Applicants should complete and send the application form, either by post or by fax, to theQualifications Framework Secretariat at 16 th floor, VTC Tower, 27 Wood Road, Wan Chai, HongKong.5.3 Late applications will normally not be processed. Applications will not be considered if theinformation supplied in the application form is incomplete orinaccurate.5.4 Applicants do not need to provide supporting documents when submitting applications. They willbe asked to bring proof of qualifications and employment (e.g. employment letter, certificates/ diplomas) to the selection interview.5.5 The QFS may request applicants to provide supporting documents or additional information tofacilitate processing the applications.

INDUSTRY TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEEQF AWARD SCHEME FOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES(2013 – 2014)5.6 Applicants will need to provide contact information in the application form of two referees (oneof whom could be the nominator) who are familiar with the applicant concerned and in support ofhis/her application for the Award Scheme. The applicant has to seek the prior consent of thereferees/nominators for thenecessary.QFS to approach them for information of the applicant concerned, if5.7 Applications can be made by himself/herself or be nominated by a nominator. The nominator canbe an individual or an organization / a company (e.g. trade associations or unions).6. Selection process6.1 A Selection Panel will be set up by respective ITACs for selection of suitable applicants of theindustry concerned and come up with a list of applicants for award.6.2 The Selection Panel may invite all or only shortlisted applicants for interview.6.4 The Selection Panel will select the awardees and report the outcome to respective ITACs forinformation. Decisions of the ITACs shall be final.7. Selection criteriaSelection will be conducted based on the following selection criteria and to assess the merits ofeach and every applications:(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)Commitment to own continuous professional development by learning new skills & building capabilities,realizing the ethos of lifelong learning (e.g. pursued a course of study and took part in various learningactivities); and/orContributions of improvement / innovative suggestions in work (e.g. won an award in a contest or receiveda letter of appreciation from employer); and/orRecognized contributions to the industry or the community (e.g. participated in the work of tradeassociations, unions, professional bodies, or in community or volunteer services); andSignificance of the learning activity towards own personal development and career advancement; andContributions to promoting the industry’s prospect and the development of QF in the industry, uponcompletion of the learning activity.8. Notification of results8.1 Successful applicants will receive written notification from the QFS. Applicants who do not hear

INDUSTRY TRAINING ADVISORY COMMITTEEQF AWARD SCHEME FOR LEARNING EXPERIENCES(2013 – 2014)from the QFS two months after the closing date for applications may consider their applicationsunsuccessful.8.2 If the Selection Panel is unable to find any suitable applicants for award, it has the right not to giveout any award or give out less than three awards.9. Obligations of awardeesWithin one year upon completion of the learning activities, awardees are obliged to assist the ITACconcerned and the QFS in promoting QF, and to attend sharing sessions to share his/her experiencesin joining the learning activities.10. EnquiriesEnquiries about the Award Scheme could be addressed to Qualifications Framework Secretariat:Tel: 2836 1706Fax: 3106 2035Email: hkqf@edb.gov.hk