Background
2023:
To alleviate the manpower shortage in trades, the HKSAR Government announced the implementation of the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS) in the 2023 Policy Address. The Scheme will run as a pilot programme for two years, enabling non-local students enrolled in 27 VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (HD) Programmes in 5 trades in Hong Kong for the 2024/25 or 2025/26 academic year to apply upon graduation to remain in Hong Kong for employment in the trades relevant to their programmes of study.
2024:
In the 2024 Policy Address, the HKSAR Government announced the inclusion of 7 additional HD programmes in 7 trades for the 2025/26 academic year, bringing the total number of VPAS eligible VTC full-time HD (2-year) programmes to 34, covering a total of 12 trades.
2025:
After reviewing the Scheme in 2025, the HKSAR Government announced an extension of the pilot scheme for two more admission cohorts, covering the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years, along with the inclusion of a new trade. Starting from the 2026/27 academic year, VPAS will cover 13 trades and maintain 34 VPAS eligible programmes.
Highlights of VPAS
- Non-local students enrolled in the VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes can apply for the "Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS)" upon graduation. However, applicants must reach the age of 18 or above when they submit their VPAS applications. This Scheme is not applicable to nationals of Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of), Nepal and Vietnam, and persons who have been permitted to remain in the HKSAR under the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates.
- Non-local students must complete the VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (2-year) programmes within three academic years after admission to be eligible for VPAS application.
- In the 2024/25 academic year, the VPAS covers 27 eligible programmes in 5 trades. An addition of 7 eligible programmes covering 7 more trades is included in the 2025/26 academic year. In the 2026/27 academic year, one more trade is added with the total number of programmes remains at 34, covering 13 trades.
VTC's Role in VPAS
Promotion
Promote VPAS and attract non-local graduates of VPAS eligible programmes to remain in Hong Kong for employment
Programme Delivery
Provide quality VPET programmes, industrial attachments, recruitment talks, career talks, job matching opportunities, etc.
Reporting
Report regularly to the Immigration Department and the Labour and Welfare Bureau
Advice on Manpower Demand
Provide advice on the manpower demand in various industries through the VTC Training Boards
Recommendation on Relevant Higher Diploma Programmes
Make recommendations to the Government on relevant VPAS eligible programmes in response to the economic development and manpower needs of Hong Kong
Scheme Implementation
Implement the scheme, including verifying the eligibility of VPAS applicants and monitoring VPAS participants' employment in their respective trades
