19/12/2024
In line with the Government’s policy measures on reforming the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) and strengthening training for the local workforce set out in the “2024 Policy Address”, ERB will remove from the eligibility criteria the cap on education level of trainees and expand the service targets to the entire local labour force aged 15 or above with effect from 1 January 2025, with a view to encouraging and supporting people with different backgrounds and educational attainments in pursuing skills upgrading, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the local labour force.
Along with the arrangement, ERB will increase the annual number of training places by at least 15 000 in 2025-26 and adopt a “skills-based” training strategy in course development, including the provision of more short-term, modular skills upgrading courses and development of new skills training courses for people with higher educational attainment.
ERB strives to provide relevant training and services that align with the social and economic development of Hong Kong, supporting members of the public in upgrading their skills. In light of technological advancements that are driving digital transformation across various industries, ERB launched the “Love IT．Upgrading Scheme” in April 2024 which continues through December 2024, and a special arrangement with no upper limit on educational attainment for applicants was introduced. Under the scheme, over 50 training courses in innovation and technology are on offer and new courses in part-time mode including the “Certificate in Business Applications of Generative Artificial Intelligence”, “Foundation Certificate in Arts Tech (Basic Production Skills of Simulated Reality)”, and “Certificate in Sustainable Development and ‘Environmental, Social and Governance’ (ESG) Knowledge for Health Care Industry” are launched, assisting trainees in acquiring necessary work skills. In 2025-26, ERB will continue to enrich its skills-based training portfolio to align with the training needs of various industries and employees with different backgrounds. New courses on plan will include those related to the use of Artificial Intelligence technology in image and video design, development of virtual scene animation, a Foundation Certificate in Workplace Re-entry (Catering Industry), etc., with a view to supporting different service targets to pursue training and upskilling.
Mr. Rick Au, who holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and works as an Account Consultant at an information and communication technology company, completed the “Certificate in Business Applications of Generative Artificial Intelligence” part-time course to acquire new digital skills for enhancing work productivity and performance. He expressed that the course provided him with a better understanding of various Generative Artificial Intelligence tools, enabling him to flexibly apply related technologies in handling documents, processing data and preparing proposals, thus increasing efficiency. Another ERB graduate trainee, Mr. Boris Wong, who is an Assistant Engineer, noticed the growing trend of Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology applications in the engineering sector. He enrolled in the “Foundation Certificate in Building Information Modelling (BIM) Revit (Architecture) I” part-time course to equip himself with knowledge and skills in BIM-related software and drawing tools for continuous upskilling. He pointed out that innovative technology is driving digital transformation of the engineering sector, and continuous learning of new knowledge and skills is increasingly important. He is now studying the “Foundation Certificate in Building Information Modelling (BIM) Revit (Architecture) II” part-time course to further enhance his professional skills which allows him to stay competitive in the workplace.
ERB currently provides around 700 training courses straddling 28 industries and generic skill areas. ERB also provides dedicated training courses and services for different service targets, including young people, the “Post-50” (people aged 50 or above), ethnic minorities, etc., encouraging the public to engage in training and employment. ERB will continue to strengthen collaboration with training bodies, tertiary institutions and leading enterprises to develop training services attuned to market needs, and embrace a “Forward, Innovative and Versatile” approach to support the workforce in upskilling and nurture talent for various industries.
Course applications are open to eligible employees of Hong Kong aged 15 or above and applicants should meet the entry requirements of individual courses. Please refer to the application guidelines for details. For further information of ERB courses and services, please visit the ERB website ( www.erb.org ) or call the ERB hotline 182 182.
Mr. Rick Au (left) and Mr. Boris Wong (right) enrolled in the innovation and technology courses offered by the Employees Retraining Board, aiming at acquiring new digital skills and staying competitive in the workplace.
