The Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong’s largest vocational education provider, continues to maintain strong graduate employment rates amid challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI), according to its new chairman Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung. Speaking in an interview, Lam said about 90% of VTC graduates secure jobs, a figure he attributed to the institution’s efforts to tailor training programs to meet the evolving demands of the job market.

Lam, who took over as VTC chairman in January, emphasized the importance of integrating AI knowledge into vocational education rather than viewing it as a threat to employment. “We have a lot of AI courses, and we can custom-make courses for different industries,” he said, noting that AI would not replace all workers or managers but rather supplement human skills. He underscored the council’s approach of continuous curriculum updates in line with technological advances, stressing the need to engage directly with industries to align training with actual labor market needs.

While recent government data show a sharp decline in entry-level job vacancies for university graduates—from approximately 80,000 in 2022 to around 31,000 projected for 2025—Lam pointed to practical skills development as a key factor sustaining demand for VTC-trained talent. Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun Yuk-han linked this decrease to automation trends worldwide, citing a report indicating over 60% of companies expect to reduce entry-level hiring due to AI and other technologies.

Lam expressed confidence that VTC programs, particularly in engineering fields, position graduates well for emerging opportunities in sectors like aviation and railways. He also revealed plans to establish a new VTC campus in the Northern Metropolis, a government-backed megaproject underway since 2021 that aims to create substantial housing and economic development across 30,000 hectares in Hong Kong’s New Territories. By situating the council’s presence there, Lam hopes to enhance access to internships and practical training linked directly to the megaproject’s anticipated job market.

In addition to educational initiatives, Lam was recently appointed chair of the Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park Company, a government entity focused on accelerating Northern Metropolis development. This dual role is expected to facilitate greater synergy between vocational training and the region’s industrial growth.

Addressing societal perceptions, Lam noted growing pride among VTC students in their vocational pathways, with some opting to leave local university programs to pursue VTC qualifications instead. He underscored the importance of elevating the status of vocational education as a fundamental driver of Hong Kong’s future workforce and economic competitiveness.

The VTC offers a broad range of programs, from secondary school qualifications and associate degrees to full bachelor’s degrees, alongside practical in-service training. Highlighted courses include aerospace engineering and electric vehicle maintenance, designed to nurture specialized technical expertise. Lam also mentioned plans to develop student hostels to enhance campus life and foster community among trainees, aiming to create lifelong bonds beyond the classroom.