Secondary school leavers had plenty of education, vocational training and employment opportunities, Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa said Tuesday.

On the eve of the release of Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination results, Tung gave encouragement to Secondary Five leavers during his visit to the Vocational Training Council's Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI) and the Hospitality Industry Training and Development Center (HITDC).

He said that youngsters had a long way to go in their future and that if they failed, they could just stand their ground and try again.

Tung noted that school leavers could choose various ways to better equip themselves and enhance their competitiveness, other than the traditional way of further studies at post-secondary institutions.

These included training places provided by sub-degree programs, the Youth Pre-employment Training Program, Project Yi Jin etc. He also encouraged youngsters to take part in creative industries to develop their talents.

Tung said the training programs offered by the CCTI and the HITDC were examples to provide comprehensive and professional training for youngsters wishing to develop their career in the food and beverage, and hospitality-related industries.

There were ample job opportunities in tourism industry, he said. The food and beverage, and hospitality-related industries had developed well, especially after the implementation of the Individual Visit Scheme. The government expected that the number of tourists visiting Hong Kong would reach 35 million in 2010.

During his visit to the HITDC, the Chief Executive toured the Front Office Training Lobby where he participated in a mock hotel check-in. He also saw trainees practicing house keeping work.

Later, at the CCTI, Tung saw trainees learning culinary skills needed in the preparation of the vast variety of Chinese specialties at the training kitchens.

He tasted the deep-fried bean-curd rolls prepared by trainees at the demonstration kitchen where a maximum of 12 trainees can simultaneously practice at their own individual workstations.

He also watched trainees learning tea art at the Dining Society's Training Restaurant and Lounge.

Before leaving the institute, Tung met a group of trainees to get a better understanding of their views on training and their future career.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2004)