Letters | To fix Hong Kong’s technician shortage, change how we teach them
Readers discuss the need for polytechnics and vocational schools, the next steps in waste management, and tackling a ‘giant in geriatrics’ – loneliness
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The shortage of skilled technicians in Hong Kong is totally self-inflicted. The problem started when Hong Kong began to value degrees over vocational training.
Take for example the Hong Kong Polytechnic, which was elevated to university status and began granting degrees. A Hong Kong Polytechnic diploma holder I know went through two years of instruction alongside internships for hands-on experience. Now as a degree course, much of it became theory-heavy with only a small number of credits relating to “work integrated education” required, judging by the course description on the website.
I believe Hong Kong has made the mistake of opening far too many universities, churning out plenty of graduates but failing to equip them with sufficient knowledge to master the hands-on functions performed by those they are expected to supervise.
It is time to turn back the clock. Bring back more polytechnics and vocational training schools that offer higher diplomas and basic courses. Cut the number of universities to a maximum of three and require their academic standards to be painfully high. Final examinations should show the undergraduate has understood and retained all of the knowledge acquired during their entire time at the university.
