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Hong Kong’s economy is undergoing a profound transformation into a multifaceted international hub, strengthening the city’s role across the “Eight Centres” set out in the 14th National Five-Year Plan and further accelerated under the 15th Five-Year Plan. The shift, reinforced by the Northern Metropolis initiative and deeper integration with the Greater Bay Area (GBA), signals a new era of spatial–economic synergy and diversified, innovation-led growth.
Supporting this evolution, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) — through its core focus on Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) — is committed to nurturing talent equipped with the expertise and innovative mindset essential for Hong Kong’s economic transformation. This is the vision of Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung, who assumed the chairmanship on January 1, 2026.
“While we continue fostering skilled and knowledgeable manpower, we aim to further enhance the image and recognition of VPET,” says Lam, a seasoned industrialist with a longstanding commitment to promoting trade and industry in Hong Kong. He has played leading roles in many of the city’s most prominent industrial and trade organisations.
Lam frames Hong Kong’s next chapter as one of consolidation and ambition. He emphasises that the 14th and 15th National Five-Year Plans present a clear mandate: consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre. Beyond finance, he highlights the city’s designated roles as an international hub for aviation, trade, innovation and technology, and “East meets West” centre for cultural exchange. To achieve this, Hong Kong must become “a leading place that nurtures as well as attracts top talent from beyond Hong Kong,” he says.
“The VTC has a central responsibility in that mission: to train the professionals who will sustain Hong Kong’s competitive edge across these priorities,” adds Lam.
VPET talent as the core driving force
At the heart of Lam’s vision is a fundamental premise: talent is the core driving force of sustainable development. “The infrastructure and cutting-edge sector development across Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland is guided by a long-term vision, directly linked to priority industries such as artificial intelligence, new energy, new-quality productive forces, and the Internet of Things (IoT),” he notes. “This transformation underscores the need for a workforce equipped not only with technical skills but also with an innovative mindset. In this context, VTC’s VPET becomes a key base for talent development — a practical pathway that I hope more young people, parents, and teachers will recognise and support.”
Lam outlines concrete approaches for how VTC can advance Hong Kong’s transformation, beginning with deepening collaboration between government and industry. “We need to carefully assess industry’s needs so that the talent we train has strong momentum and is equipped with a mindset for innovation,” he notes. Drawing on his industrial background, he stresses the importance of aligning training with real-world demands so graduates can immediately contribute to competitiveness and growth.
Reskilling and upskilling for a fast-changing economy
Source: News - South China Morning Post
