Get qualified, without going to university
University isn't for everyone. Vocational courses let you further your education without the textbooks
The DSEs are just four months away and Form Six students are busy with their Jupas applications as the December 2 deadline approaches. But university isn't for everyone, so it's good to consider some other options.
Vocational training prepares people for a specific trade or industry, such as being an electrician or a hairdresser. It's usually non-academic, and the skills are taught for the job.
The Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) awards higher diplomas and certificates for vocational courses. The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) awards degree-level qualifications, too.
Four institutions from the Vocational Training Council are holding information days between now and December.
As with any information days, there will be campus tours, talks from teaching staff and faculty members, programme and admission briefings, career advice, and the chance to talk to current students. So there will be a lot of the same stuff, but what makes each one different? Young Post did the hard work and found out for you!
THEi (Tsing Yi and Kowloon Tong)
When: November 27-28
Forget talks and lectures at THEi info day, you can make your own app, develop computer game software or make leather goods. The faculties of design, management and hospitality, and science and technology are offering taster programmes, workshops and demonstrations on all sorts of things, from paper lampshade making to sports training.
Remember to jot down important points at the admission talks because the faculties have different entrance requirements. Bachelor programmes have minimum DSE entry requirements of Level Three or above in English language and Chinese language, and Level Two or above in maths, liberal studies and one elective subject.
IVE (Haking Wong, Tsing Yi and Chai Wan)
When: November 27-28
Have you ever seen two robots playing badminton? The Engineering Discipline at IVE (Tsing Yi) is using this unique match to showcase just how much robots can do.
Or maybe you're interested in working at the airport. There will be demonstrations from people who help control the flow of planes landing and taking off at Hong Kong Airport.
For those interested in engineering, IVE (Chai Wan) will have drone-flying demonstrations, where you can control one yourself.
If you get fed up of tours and talks, check out the doughnut and macaroon tasting sessions at IVE (Haking Wong). There will also be talks on business administration, engineering, retail, hospitality and hotel management.
IVE (Kwai Chung and Tuen Mun), Youth College (Tuen Mun)
When: December 4-5
Maybe you're more interested in food (who isn't?!). The Applied Science Discipline at IVE (Kwai Chung) will have nutri-cooking demonstrations where you can learn about nutritional science and how to cook healthier meals.
The Information Technology Discipline at IVE (Tuen Mun) will conduct a workshop where you can learn about virtual reality. There will also be workshops where you can create Android apps and stop-motion videos.
Don't worry about looking your best, though. Youth College (Tuen Mun) will be giving out hairdressing, beauty and nail-care tips in their taster workshops.
IVE and Hong Kong Design Institute (Lee Wai Lee), IVE (Kwun Tong)
When: December 11-12
A fashion show at an info day is not what most people expect. But HKDI and IVE (Lee Wai Lee) are organising one on December 11.
If you want to show off your own artistic talents, HKDI's workshops let you make modern art with paper and sculptures.
The Business Administration Discipline at IVE (Kwun Tong) might interest those who want to work with money. The faculty will have a taster programme called "Banking and Finance in Hong Kong", offering banknote-counting demonstrations.
If you don't know what to choose, don't worry! Choose a course that matches your interests and abilities, then attend the taster programmes to see if you still think it's right for you.
For more information, check out vtc.edu.hk/infoday/schedule.php