Sustainable Strategies on Human Resources Management and Development in an Era of Public Sector: Reflections from Hong Kong Qualifications Framework and It Implications for Policy-makers Dr Vincent Wong EROPA E-Government Research Center Special Researcher Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership Alumni Network OECD Policy Fourm Member International Institute of Administrative Science (IIAS) & European Group Public Admin Panel Speaker HK Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Youth Association Former Senior Civil Servant, HKSARG

Brief Biography Former Senior Officer in Education Bureau, Hong Kong Government (HKSARG) Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership Alumnai Network OECD Policy Fourm Member International Institute Administrative Science & European Group Public Admin Panel Speaker Invited to serve as EROPA E-Government Experts, PRC Professional Memeber, HK The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Youth Association Hong Kong Bar Association (Academic Member) Professional capacities in HK Government or professional bodies: Public Affairs Forum, Home Affairs Bureau Liaison Group (Consumer), Food and Health Bureau Textbook Review Committee, Education Bureau Outstanding Trainer, Education Bureau Public and Economic Affairs Committee, Hong Kong Professional and Senior Executives Association Executive Committe, the Hong Kong Public Administration Association Associate Editor, Public Administration and Policy: An Asia-Pacific Journal Articles published in Elite / CEO magazines, financial media, government bodies, and academic journals

Flow of Presentation Content Purpose of Presentation Case Background (in brief) Policy Implications Question and Answer

1. Purpose of Presentation

Purpose of Presentation Illustrate sustainable strategies on Human Resources Management (HRM) and Human Resources Development (HRD) in an era of public sector based on the reflections from Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF). Highlight its implications for policy-makers.

2. Case Background

Policy Background of HKQF A major HRM and HRD policy initiative in HK in 2008. To provide a platform to encourage and facilitate lifelong learning, with a view to enhancing the capability and competitiveness of the workforce in Hong Kong. The objectives are to be achieved through: Defining clear and objective standards applicable to qualifications in the academic, vocational and professional as well as continuing education sectors; Assuring the quality of qualifications and the associated learning programmes available to learners; and Assuring relevancy of learning to industry needs.

Legal Framework 2007: The Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance (AAVQO) (Cap. 592). 2008: Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) officially launched. Under the AAVQO, the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) has been appointed by the Secretary for Education as the Accreditation Authority and Qualifications Register Authority. The HKCAAVQ currently takes on its statutory quality assurance role to safeguard the quality and standards of learning programmes recognized under the QF.

Qualifications Framework A 7-level hierarchy. Each qualification is assigned a level to indicate its position in the hierarchy relative to others. The level of a qualification is determined in accordance with a set of Generic Level Descriptors (GLD) which specifies, in 4 domains, the outcome standards expected of the qualifications at each level. The 4 domains are: (a) Knowledge and Intellectual Skills (b) Processes (c) Application, Autonomy and Accountability (d) Communications, IT and Numeracy

Qualifications Register

Award Titles Scheme

Industry Training Advisory Committees

List of Specification of Competency Standards

Recognition of Prior Learning

QF-Recognized Qualifications

QF-Comparability

3. Policy Implications

8 Key Component Strategies Promoting the HRM and HRD of HK 1 Establishing Industry Training Advisory Committees Involving professional or industrial practitioners Lobbying field guru for HRM & HRD policy 2 Drawing up Specification of Competency Standards for Industries Setting objective criteria or international benchmarking Gate-keep the quality of the practitioners 3 Implementing Recognition of Prior Learning mechanism in industries Avoid duplicating learning experiences Facilitate tertiary providers to offer programmes for multiple learning pathways 4 Promoting Specification of Generic (Foundation) Competencies Enhance public awareness Connect HRD in international standards 5 Maintaining a Qualifications Register Opening public and media check-and-balance Quality assurance to public users 6 Introducing the Award Titles Scheme and the use of QF Credit Quality assurance of programme quality Standardizing possible chaotic “title inflation” 7 Promulgating the policy, principles and operational guidelines for implementation of Credit Accumulation and Transfer System Formalizing policy and developing clear framework Facilitate long-term HR development 8 Building up network with QF authorities and quality assurance (QA) bodies Integrate academic gatekeeping Promote international exchange (New Zealand / Ireland / Scotland / Thai / European Qualifications Framework)

4. Question and Answer

References http://www.hkcaavq.edu.hk/en/about-us/about-hkcaavq https://www.hkqf.gov.hk/en/home/index.html