(1 September 2020, Hong Kong) Vocational Training Council (VTC), the Federation of Hong Kong Industries (FHKI) and Sinopharm Tech Holdings Limited (Sinopharm) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch the Smart Manufacturing Training Programme for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Industry (Programme). The Programme aims to provide practitioners of the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) Manufacturing Industry with comprehensive theoretical and practical training, including the professional know-how of face mask production and mechanical assembly. It will also teach trainees how to optimize their production quality through use of new technologies in this digitally transforming era.  

This Programme will provide structured training for PPE industry practitioners to acquire knowledge and skills required to support smart manufacturing. The programme will address the basic operation of automated production lines and its application on surgical mask manufacturing lines.  In addition, the program would provide an overview of Industry 4.0 and explain how the cutting-edge technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Artificial Intelligent (AI) and data analytics can enhance the competitive advantage of a modern production line.  Information about the testing and certification arrangements of the Hong Kong Q-Mark Schemes and the other international standards will also be introduced.  A two-day industrial visit and practical training will be arranged to equip students with the necessary hands-on skills for surgical mask manufacturing lines in Hong Kong. 

At today’s signing ceremony, FHKI Chairman Dr Daniel Yip said, “In the past six months, the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic has dealt a severe blow to Hong Kong and other worldwide places, which generates great demands for face masks and other PPE items. There are currently more than 60 factories producing masks in Hong Kong. FHKI believes that the development of local reindustrialisation depends on the participation of young generation, and proactively cooperates with the education sector to cultivate the talents needed by the industry. We also aim to enable young people understand that the manufacturing industry has bright development prospects.”

Attending the MoU signing ceremony, Sinopharm Chief Executive Officer Tony Chan said, “We put quality as our top priority from the very beginning we started the mask manufacturing business. With our recent partnership with world leading melt blown manufacturers; together with the investment in setting up a world-class Testing Laboratory, we are pushing our product quality into another level. Quality staff is the most critical contributing factor to high quality product. With the rapid development of mask manufacturing in Hong Kong, the whole industry is lacking experienced workers and machine technicians. We are very happy to work with VTC and FHKI, to contribute our professional know-how and experiences. We hope more people will understand the potential of the mask manufacturing industry and join Sinopharm or other mask manufacturing companies to fight Covid-19 together.”

VTC Deputy Executive Director Dr Eric LIU said, “The VTC has long been committed to nurturing talent for the industry sector. To nurture professional talents to the PPE industry, VTC partners with FHKI and Sinopharm to roll out the Smart Manufacturing Training Programme. It is hoped that the joint Programme will enable industry talents to keep abreast of the latest industry knowledge and trends through theoretical learning and practice. Graduates can further their studies related to Industry 4.0 and Smart City Professional Diploma programmes to deepen their knowledge in these areas upon completion of the programme.”

The course enrolment will start from today while classes will begin in October 2020.  The Programme has been accepted by the Reindustrialisation and Technology Training Programme (RTTP) managed by Innovation and Technology Commission.  Hence, eligible companies can apply for reimbursement of up to two-thirds of the programme fee for their staff. 

Course details of Smart Manufacturing Training Programme for PPE Industry

Enquiries:

Tel:     37579138                  Email: pamelalau@vtc.edu.hk