HKQF Consultation Seminar on the Specification of Competency Standards (SCS) for Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry

The draft Specification of Competency Standards (SCS) prepared by the Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) has ready for industry consultation now. The consultation will last 3 months from 1 November 2013 to 30 January 2014. The first Consultation Seminar was held on 13 Nov 2013 (Wednesday) to announce this draft SCS and introduce how QF and SCS could help Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) Industry.

In the beginning, Mr Spencer YEUNG King-chung (Chairperson, TIC-ITAC) gave a welcoming speech. He appreciated all members and secretary for their effort in this 3 year to draft SCS for TIC Industry. After consultation period, industry would implement this SCS for TIC Practitioners.

A new video to promote Qualifications Framework in TIC Industry was showed.

http://www.hkqf.gov.hk/guie/Popup_SCS_Consult_TIC_video.asp

Mr. Matthew Yien (Manager, QF Secretariat) presented the latest development of HKQF. Firstly, he introduced the background of HKQF such as 7-level hierarchy and life long learning objectives. Secondly, he mentioned HKQF was industry-led and implemented on industry basis; therefore, Industry Training Advisory Committee (ITAC) was formed with representatives from employers, employees and professional bodies. Then, he explained the key roles of ITACs were:
i) To write up the industry's Specification of Competency Standards (SCS);
ii) To develop the Recongnition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism; and
iii) To promote QF in the industry

Finally, Matthew briefed the current focus of HKQF in the following directions.
i) Implementation of QF Credit and Award Title Scheme (ATS)
ii) Mapping out of progression / articulation pathways for industries joining QF
iii) Development of validation of Non-formal and Informal Learning (NFIL) mechanism
iv) Seeking cooperation and mutual recognition of different countries (e.g. Guangdong Occupational test Skill Authority (China), European Qualifications Framework (EQF), SCQF Partnership and Office of Education Council (Thailand), etc.)

The next session was the introduction of the draft Specification of Competency Standards (SCS) and Promotion Path. (Left: Mr. Long Wai Kwok (VTC), Ir. Eric WH Chan (VTC), Mr. Tsang Kam Lam (GM, EnvMgt, HKPC) and Mr. Steve Lai (Sr. Mgr, HKQF))

Ir. Eric Chan briefed the development process of SCS which consisted of competencies (skills and knowledge) and grouped in the form of Units of Competencies (UoCs). The development of SCS had followed five stages as following diagram. Moreover, the SCS document is divided into four chapters.
1 - Background the industry, PEST (Political, Economic, Social and Technology) Scan
2 - The need for Qualifications Framework
3 - Applications of SCS, Major Functional Areas for TIC industry
4 - Listing out all the UoCs

Then, Mr. Long Wai Kwok explained the structure of UoCs based on different functions included Laboratory/On-site Testing, Inspection, Certification, and TIC Operations Management (e.g. Ethical, Env, OSH, Risk and HR management, as well as, Customer Service).

The Industry Consultation Sharing Session
(Left: Dr. Lotto Lai (HKSQ), Mr. Leung (梁銳輝) (Housing Dept.), Ms. Christina Law (HKTIC), Mr. Terence SS Chan (ITC), Ms. Miranda Kwan (HKICA), Mr. Terence Wong (HKFPA) and Mr. Patrick Pang (HKQF))

Mr. Terence SS Chan (ITC) introduced industry outlook and pointed that integrity was advantage of TIC industry in Hong Kong.

Ms. Christina Law introduced HKTIC certification scheme for TIC practitioner's professional development. She also mentioned that the average turnover rate in TIC was from 10 to 20%.

Mr. Terence Wong (HKFPA) said HKQF would help some practitioner who was without academic training but their experience achieved certain competence level.

Mr. Leung (Housing Dept.) said huge manpower need in construction industry was foreseen because numerous public house was planned to be built.

Ms. Miranda Kwan (HKICA) introduced certification auditor qualification and how HKQF could assist their professional development.

Lastly, I introduced the mission of HKSQ which did match the aims of HKQF to contribute to the TIC industry. I shared the development of HKSQ course named "Quality Management for Laboratory" since 2002 and launched in 2005. If TIC-SCS developed and implemented, we can use it to align with HKSQ accredited course in different university in Hong Kong. Moreover, I also expressed that TIC industry and its QF was a leader in Asia.

Group Photo (TIC-ITAC members and guests in the seminar)

Photo of guest before seminar start

Reference:
Testing, Inspection & Certification Industry Training Advisory Committee - http://www.hkqf.gov.hk/guie/com_ITAClist_TIC.asp
HKQF Award Scheme for Learning Experiences of TIC Industry - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2013/08/hkqf-award-scheme-for-learning.html
HKSQ Certified Professional Scheme - Certified Laboratory Quality Specialist (CLabQS) - http://qualityalchemist.blogspot.hk/2011/07/hksq-certified-professional-scheme.html
HKQF - http://hkqf.gov.hk/guie/home.asp
HKSQ - http://www.hksq.org/
HKTIC - http://www.hktic.org/
HKICA - http://www.hkica.org/