Employees Retraining Board

On 7th May 2007, ERB entered into a cooperation agreement with the Occupational Skill Testing Authority of Guangdong (the “OSTAG”) to launch a pilot scheme of cooperation in Hong Kong on the National Occupational Qualification Assessment for Massage for Healthcare and the Occupational Qualification Certificate.

This scheme provides the graduates from the Certificate in Massage for Healthcare or relevant massage courses of ERB with one-stop service from training, employment seeking and helping them to acquire professional qualifications in the Chinese mainland. Its purpose is to enhance the employment opportunities of our massage course graduates by means of a wider professional recognition.

Under the cooperation agreement, ERB graduates will be able to attend the National Occupational Qualification Assessment and obtain an occupational qualification recognized throughout the country without traveling to the Chinese mainland. They will be assessed in a familiar environment that is conducive to their performance. More importantly, this qualification will serve as a benchmark of their professional skills and enhance their room for employment in Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland.

The National Occupational Qualification Certificate System is an integral part of the labour and employment system in the PRC. Under this unique national examination system, assessment bodies appointed by the government will evaluate and assess the skills and qualifications of candidates in an objective, fair, scientific way based on the relevant criteria set by the State. Any candidate securing a pass will be awarded a National Occupational Qualification Certificate, an evidence of one’s knowledge and skills required in a particular field. In the Chinese mainland, the National Occupational QualificationCertificate serves as the qualification evidence of job seekers, employees and business owners and the main reference of employers. It is also a validation of skills for overseas employment and foreign labour cooperation.

The Occupational Qualification Certificates are classified into five levels, namely, Low Skill (National Occupational Qualification Level 5), Medium Skill (National Occupational Qualification Level 4), Senior Skill (National Occupational Qualification Level 3), Technicians (National Occupational Qualification Level 2) and Senior Technicians (National Occupational Qualification Level 1).

The National Occupational Qualification Certificate is a must for people in Hong Kong who would like to seek a job or set up a business in a particular field in the Chinese mainland. No matter at home or aboard, it confers its holder with enhanced competitive strengths and professional recognition.

The first assessment was held at the PSTAC on 22nd and 23rd June 2007. Candidates performed well at the written and practical tests conducted by professional assessors, and were all awarded passing grades for meeting the prescribed standard. In appreciation of the support and assistance rendered by the OSTAG and other training bodies, and as a recognition of the outstanding performance and achievement of all graduates, the first certification presentation ceremony was held on 1st August 2007 in the presence of Mr. Zhou Guotian, director of the OSTAG, and other ERB committee members.

In response to market demands, ERB is now in active negotiations with the OSTAG to introduce a diverse range of vocational skill assessments for other trainees as and when appropriate.