A unique training programme that is fostering collaboration and idea sharing between the education sector and the HKPF has been a great hit with both sides.
What do the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) and IVE have in common? More than you would think. Simon Wong, Lecturer, Department of Electronic & Information Engineering at IVE (Sha Tin) has spent the last six months attached with the Communications Branch (COMS)of the HKPF. This exciting experience was made possible through the Industrial Attachment Programme (IAP), which is a staff development initiative arranged by Vocational Training Council.
Dr Peter Chiu, Head of Department of Electronic and Information Engineering in IVE (Sha Tin) explained, “The IAP is a very important form of staff development in the Engineering Department in which our staff work with IVE’s strategic partners to update their knowledge and expand their scope and understanding of the development, implementation and application of technology in the workplace. The programme also helps lecturers to know exactly what strategic partners need, and from that design and develop tailored-courses and activities to meet those needs.”
Close industry connections
Wong explained that through the IAP he had been able to both improve his knowledge and skills as well as bringing back ideas that he can use while teaching. He noted, “As a lecturer, my job is very student-orientated and I am expected to be up-to-date on technological developments. The best way to do this is to have close connections with the industry. I can use these connections to seek advice and information that will benefit the students.” He observed, “The IAP is an engineering oriented role, you are required to apply technical knowledge—gained from training programmes offered by organisations like IVE—to provide an efficient and effective information and technology service for the HKPF.” The IAP is also a great way for lecturers to gain a different point of view, and from this learn different skills and methods that they can pass on to students to make them more competent in their professional careers.
Student input drives training
During his time with the HKPF, Wong studied the training needs of the technical staff and developed a long-term, sustainable in-service training course for the HKPF. As a large majority of the staff in COMMS are IVE graduates and was taught by Wong, this long-term relationship helps facilitate the development of tailored programme for that specific cohort. The HKPF operates in a similar way, in that themes are proposed by management and the topics within these themes are proposed by the staff members.
Following the development of the training programme, Wong evaluated the adaptation of manpower and potential opportunities for enhancement of the Electronic Service Support and Information and Communications Network Management Centre. He also collaborated with colleagues to publish the inaugural issue of the Internal Communications Department Newsletter.
Symbiotic training partnership
Ir Jolly Wong, Chief Telecommunications Engineer in the Information Systems Wing of the HKPF explained how such training programmes benefit the organisation, “I see in-service training as a transformation process—staff gain theoretical knowledge from programmes developed by IVE as well as hands on training. The programmes also allow acquisition of up-to-date knowledge that staff can leverage to proactively improve themselves to face up to changes.”
Explaining why IVE makes such a good partner for the HKPF to work with, Ir Wong added, “Firstly, IVE has a great reputation, facilities and lecturers. Secondly, and most importantly, is that the training is flexible and dynamic—lecturer coming to daily workplace and using actual equipment deployed by the HKPF—and thus provides a down-to-earth approach readily usable in the real working environment.”
The symbiotic programme comes down to one word: partnership. Ir Wong concluded, “This is a win-win partnership for both parties. The HKPF gains long-term sustainable in-service training and IVE lecturers gain unique knowledge that can help make both them and their students more efficient and effective in their own careers.”
This article is published in HR Magazine Autumn 2011 issue.
Paul Arkwright
Publisher
