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Multiple Pathways to Creativity

To create a piece of clothing, it is essential to have a good mastery of the practical knowledge and techniques in garment-making, regardless of how creative the design may be. Similarly, when doing make-up and styling for customers, trust can only be earned with a solid grasp of basic skills in cosmetology and a thorough understanding of the customer's unique characteristics and needs, regardless of how innovative the ideas may be. Integrating theory with practice is the best way to master such knowledge and skills. Through continuous practice, we can learn better the tricks of the trade and overcome difficulties under different circumstances. In the past, the mentorship system was a typical example of this mode of learning. Nowadays, our more diversified and comprehensive vocational and professional education and training (VPET) programmes are helping various trades and industries nurture new talent.

Yesterday, I visited the Hong Kong Design Institute of the Vocational Training Council in Tiu Keng Leng to gain an understanding of the students' learning situation. These students major in areas such as fashion design, art tech, make-up, and modelling, and equip themselves with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in just two years. In addition to traditional classroom learning, incorporating more experiential learning in practical workshops can inspire creative thinking and learning at different levels, making the learning process more interactive, well-rounded, and interesting.

Yesterday, I visited the Hong Kong Design Institute to understand the learning situation of students.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to experience shooting in a virtual scene, the whole process of which was handled by students majoring in fashion design, make-up and modelling, and art tech.

Let's take students who major in fashion design as an example. During their studies, they are responsible for all kinds of work, from pattern drafting to tailoring and sewing. This nurtures their fashion sense and enables them to grasp the essential elements in tailoring. Under their guidance and assistance, I had the opportunity to participate in part of the tailoring process. Of course, they are much more professional than I am. But through their detailed explanations and witnessing their passion and earnestness for their profession, I am confident that they will make good achievements in their study. With hard work and persistence, they will definitely thrive in their careers.

Over the past few years, the Government has continued to allocate more resources towards VPET. In fact, in the latest Budget, I announced that a two-year pilot project would be launched from the 2023/24 academic year. This pilot project will offer secondary school students an opportunity to pursue VPET-related programmes that are embedded in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) curriculum under the HKDSE framework. Upon graduation, students will be awarded a VPET Diploma at Qualifications Framework Level 3, alongside their HKDSE qualification. This is an excellent opportunity for students to explore their future development pathways and follow their aspirations.

With the guidance and assistance of the students, I had the opportunity to participate in the clothing-making process. I tried my hand at various tasks, such as pattern drafting, tailoring, and sewing.

Caption: With the guidance and assistance of the students, I had the opportunity to participate in the clothing-making process. I tried my hand at various tasks, such as pattern drafting, tailoring, and sewing.

Having witnessed their passion and earnestness for the professions they pursue, I am confident that they will make good achievements in their study!

The economy of Hong Kong is progressing towards diversification and high value-added development. The cultural and creative industries, in particular, offer tremendous opportunities and room for development to our people, especially to many local young people who possess dreams, passion, and perseverance.

The Government has been striving to promote the development of the cultural and creative industries. Since the launch of the CreateSmart Initiative (CSI) in 2009 and till the end of September 2022, nearly $2.3 billion had been allocated under the CSI, providing funding support to the creative sectors to organise about 650 projects in Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas. The CSI benefitted around 13,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, creating close to 30,000 jobs and over 80,000 opportunities for nurturing talents.

After more than a decade of development, the CSI has successfully nurtured new talent for the local creative industry, and some of them have gained international recognition. For instance, the "Animation Support Programme" has provided funding and mentoring support to over 200 promising local start-ups, allowing their original creative animations to be showcased to international buyers at FILMART (Hong Kong International Film & TV Market), the largest film and TV exhibition in Asia. Some of these productions have even won awards in competitions like the DigiCon6 ASIA Awards in Japan. As a result of the programme, numerous companies were also hired by international brands to produce animated advertisements, while some animators were invited to produce exhibitions for M+ and museums in the US.

In the latest Budget, the Government has injected $500 million into the CSI to encourage more cross‑sectoral and cross‑genre collaboration on creative and cultural programmes, and promote the co‑production of television variety programmes by local television stations with Mainland or Asian production teams, to enhance the influence of Hong Kong's pop culture. The CSI will also provide funding support for the Hong Kong Design Centre and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council to implement flagship events and incubation programmes.

Furthermore, I allocated funding to support the exchange activities of arts and cultural groups in the Greater Bay Area and other places outside Hong Kong in the past few Budgets. As we have fully resumed our connectivity with the Mainland and the international community, such cross-sectoral and territorial collaboration and exchanges will present numerous opportunities for the sector.

To expedite our economic development, we attach great importance to nurturing local talent while making our best efforts to attract outside talent. In addition to the cultural and creative sector, I have also earmarked resources through the Budget to provide more internship and training opportunities for young people and professionals pursuing careers in industries such as finance, maritime, aviation and logistics, innovation and technology, and construction. For instance, we will inject $200 million into the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund to step up manpower training in the logistics industry and drive the industry towards high-quality development. In the Budget, I also announced the launch of a financial technology internship scheme for post-secondary students, to help them develop an early interest in financial technology. These schemes not only provide the youth with more opportunities for continuous enhancement but also help them better grasp the opportunities arising from Hong Kong's high-quality development. They also enrich the local talent pool for the development of the "eight centres" in Hong Kong and provide the required manpower for the city's development.

March 5, 2023