Hong Kong – May 25, 2020 – An alternative learning pathway bridging school to work called CLAP-TECH Pathway has been officially launched in Hong Kong. Built upon IBM’s renowned P-TECH School Model and The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s CLAP for Youth @ JC, this program provides an innovative learning pathway for students who are pursuing the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) but prefer a non-conventional mode of learning to explore their own interests and develop work-ready skills for emerging technology-related roles. The program, which is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust and supported by IBM with technical assistance, includes other industry partners through workplace experiences such as mentorship and internship and is co-taught by School of Continuing Education of Hong Kong Baptist University and local secondary schools.

CLAP-TECH Pathway, being under the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative, is built upon P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School), a learning paradigm first initiated by IBM in 2011, that is under way in 24 countries and regions, including Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States, serving roughly 150,000 students.

Students enrolled in CLAP-TECH Pathway will earn their industry-recognized qualifications ─ three years of senior secondary school (Forms 4 to 6) and two years of a higher diploma program, culminating in a Higher Diploma by Hong Kong Baptist University. IBM and other industry partners play a vital role by giving students a range of workplace experiences including mentoring, worksite visits and internships, and ensuring skills acquired by the students are aligned with technology-related jobs that are in short supply, such as data scientists and cybersecurity specialists. Participating students will be first in line for entry-level jobs with industry partners.

Supported by the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government, CLAP-TECH Pathway has been implemented in selected secondary schools through e-learning since February 2020. The first cohort includes 117 students from five secondary schools, namely Delia Memorial School (Hip Wo), Pak Kau College, HKRSS Tai Po Secondary School, Lok Sin Tong Yu Kan Hing Secondary School and STFA Yung Yau College.

The program will also offer career and life development (CLD) elements, such as personalized guidance for identifying life goals and developing career roadmaps, to enable students to explore and discover their talents and interests and make informed decisions about their future careers. CLD elements of CLAP-TECH Pathway draws heavily from CLAP for Youth @ JC, Hong Kong's first cross-sectoral support platform initiated by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, which helps young people discover their passions and abilities, and explore multiple pathways to a fulfilling adulthood through a five-year career and life planning program.

“Empowering Hong Kong youth with the competence and opportunities to explore the future is an important part of The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust’s youth development strategy. CLAP-TECH Pathway is a unique journey, connecting student’s learning today with the skills and perspectives important for tomorrow. Young people are our future. This tripartite partnership offers a practical through-train for a rising generation who have a strong interest in technology to realize their potentials. We believe this business-education collaboration benefits Hong Kong’s long-term human capital development,” said Winnie Ying, Head of Charities (Grant Making) of The Hong Kong Jockey Club.

Hong Kong is expected to experience rapid job growth in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and technology-related industries over the next decade as its economy continues to shift towards higher technology sectors, and industries are being reshaped by data science, AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity. CLAP-TECH Pathway is a response to the growing recognition that flexible and relevant credentials and skills are paramount to many emerging, unfilled technology-related roles, sometimes called "new collar" positions. Some of these jobs require more than a secondary education but not necessarily a formal degree qualification.

“At IBM we’re acutely aware of the widening skills gap across industries and CLAP-TECH Pathway is very much in line with the needs of Hong Kong employers, who have reflected that fresh graduates generally do not possess skills required for emerging technology-related jobs. We are excited to take an active role in helping young people develop the qualifications and skills to compete in the digital economy,” said Francis Ngai, General Manager, IBM China/Hong Kong Limited.

For more information about CLAP-TECH Pathway, please visit: www.claptech.hk.

For more information on P-TECH, please visit: www.ptech.org.

For more information on CLAP for Youth @ JC, please visit: www.clapforyouth.org.hk/.

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