PEEC

1. In the 2017 Policy Address, the Chief Executive addressed that Hong Kong should place more emphasis on the promotion of design and creativity both within and outside our education system.  The nurturing of creativity and design thinking should begin at an early stage and design thinking should become a problem-solving capability and a new way of thinking that promotes value adding and advocates inter-disciplinary collaboration.

2. Creative industries are important economic drivers for Hong Kong.  They help to enhance the innovation capacity of the economy and can be a powerhouse for future economic growth. Hong Kong has developed a leading edge in key areas of creative industries like film, design, architecture, advertising, digital entertainment and publishing and printing, etc.

3. The growth of creative industries requires a pool of creative talents which will form the backbone of Hong Kong’s creative economy. These industries need talents with competence and skills in their area of expertise as well as the latest knowhow of technology. Creative industries are dynamic, competitive and with wide application of technology. These industries require an agile workforce who is provided with support for continuous learning and upskilling.

4. To encourage working adults to pursue higher qualifications for career advancement, and to promote vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in Hong Kong, Vocational Training Council (VTC) has obtained funding from HKSAR to support the Vplus Creative Industries Subsidy Scheme. This scheme provides practitioners in the creative industries with tuition fee subsidy for successful application of their study of the designated part-time programmes offered by VTC.

5. Under Vplus Creative Industries, programmes eligible for the tuition fee subsidy are part-time self-financed programmes in the disciplines of Design and Information Technology.  These programmes are accredited at Qualification Framework (QF) Level 3 to Level 4 by the Hong Kong Council of Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ), excluding Associate Degree and bachelor’s degree programme, under the following areas of study and training classified by Qualifications Register (QF):
A01            Architecture and Town Planning
A02            Arts, Design and Performing Arts
A04            Computer Science and Information Technology
A10            Public Relations

Successful applicants will be refunded 60% of the tuition fee paid, subject to maximum of HK$36,000 per person. Applicants may apply for fee refund for more than one eligible programmes. This scheme is effective from 1 September 2019, until 31 Aug 2029.

Subsidy Amount?
Successful applicants can be reimbursed 60% of the tuition fees paid for the programme, maximum HK$36,000 per person. Applicants may apply for reimbursement for more than one eligible programmes.

What’s the eligibility for application?
1. Holder of Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card; and
2. Successfully enrolled for the first time into the relevant eligible programme.

Application Method
Applicants are required to submit Vplus applications based on the programme applied and selected schedule of tuition fee payment, by each Professional Diploma, Professional Certificate or Module Certificate*. The Online application form, copy of HKID Card and bank account information should be submitted within 30 calendar days from the programme commencement date. Application result will be announced normally 2 months after the respective application deadline (i.e. 3 months after the programme commencement).

What programmes are available for Vplus Creative Industries?
Specialized self-financed part-time Creative Industries, Design and Information Technology (IT) programmes offered by VTC.

Can students apply for Vplus Creative Industries and other subsidies (e.g. CEF, ENLS, etc) for the same programme?
No. The applicant should have never applied for or been granted any financial assistance/ subsidy from the employer or any other form of government subsidy for the same programme.

When can students get the reimbursement?
Successful applicants will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the programme. Reimbursement amount will be calculated based on the actual tuition fee paid for the modules. It will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis.

The tuition fee will be reimbursed by instalments at the end of each term of the programme (Higher Diploma/Diploma of Foundation Studies) or modules (Professional Diploma Meister, Professional Diploma, Professional Certificate, Diploma and Certificate) upon successful completion. Reimbursements are generally made at the end of April, August, and October each year. The actual disbursement time depends on the case vetting process and bank processing. The subsidy is normally deposited directly into applicant’s designated bank account.

Requirements for the Reimbursement
1. Students must meet the minimum attendance of 70%; and
2. Students must obtain the passing grade which is 40 out of 100.

*Example: for a Professional Diploma composed of 10 modules in total, applicants who choose to apply and pay tuition fees by modules are required to submit Vplus online applications for the 10 modules individually. So on and so forth.

Applicant may check the following information through the system (https://vplusss.vtc.edu.hk/ci/enquiry/login):

1. Application result
2. Reimbursement records

Vplus Enquiry

    2896 1112                 vplus@vtc.edu.hk

Design Courses

    3928 2777                 peec.hkdi@vtc.edu.hk

Information Technology Courses

  2595 2536                 itdpo@vtc.edu.hk