In this article, factors contributing to the poor perceptions and inferior status of vocational education in Hong Kong are discussed. Critical discourse analysis (CDA) is employed as the methodology in examining the discursive construction of vocational education in the policy context. A total of five policy documents published between 1970 and 2015 are included. Our findings show that the socioeconomic transformation of Hong Kong in recent decades, massification of higher education, and cultural factors such as parental expectations are pertinent to the stigmatization observed in vocational education. This article discusses the implications from the findings and concludes with possible solutions for the future development of vocational education in Hong Kong under the novel vocational and professional education and training (VPET) initiative launched by the government.
[Copyright of Chinese Education & Society is the property of Routledge.]

Hong Kong has successfully implemented various education and curriculum reforms since 2000. Starting from 2009, the New Academic Structure with a new 6-year secondary (3-year junior secondary and 3-year senior secondary) curriculum and 4 years of undergraduate education has been launched. There was a review of the progress of senior secondary curriculum implementation which showed good progress and a gradual realization of the seven learning goals related to healthy lifestyle, breadth of knowledge, learning and language skills, reading habit, and national identity and responsibility. In May 2014, the Education Bureau (EDB) issued the document “Guide on Life Planning Education and Career Guidance for Secondary Schools” emphasizing that under holistic learning and lifelong education perspectives, students’ motivation on pursuing their career/academic pathway should be cultivated. Concomitant with the education reform, there was a decline or ignorance of vocational and technical education in Hong Kong in past years, but recently the government established a “Task Force on Promotion of Vocational Education” to map out a strategy to raise the awareness and promote vocational education and training in Hong Kong. Against this background, this chapter discusses how education reform has embedded and contextualized life planning and vocational and technical educations with the emerging socioeconomic changes in Hong Kong. It is argued that in senior secondary education, life planning education should not only focus on career planning and guidance but also embrace a comprehensive perspective linking life education and future-oriented approach promoting entrepreneurship and innovative spirit. For vocational and technical education, it needs to be repositioned not only focusing on vocational training but also highlighting the development of students’ generic and employment skills in knowledge-based society like Hong Kong.

In Hong Kong, students with special educational needs (SEN) are able to access the senior secondary education in the 12-year free education. Teachers teaching students with SEN have to prepare their students with knowledge, skills, and competency for overcoming the challenges of lifelong learning and career planning. It is well noted the post-school transition period signifies the transition to adulthood and independent life. A successful transition may lead to students’ adaptive motivation to continuing higher education or employment opportunities, which contributes to good quality of life. However, for students with SEN, they often need to face more challenges than regular students do. This chapter first discusses the contextual analysis for the education of students with SEN in Hong Kong schools by analyzing the increasing number and complexity of disabilities, concerted effort in school support and pathways of postsecondary education. However, teachers always reported the uncertainties and difficulties in supporting the smooth transition of the SEN graduates. By taking account of the research done by the authors specifically through a series of focus group interviews to a wide range of stakeholders, the chapter identifies variables affecting the post-school transition outcomes of students with SEN in Hong Kong. With reference to the contextual needs, the identified variables inform the policy change in career guidance and support for students with SEN. Implications and recommendations at individual, school, community, and policy levels are discussed. In regard to the development of career guidance and planning in schools, this chapter will finally conclude the intensive support, supporting strategies, and multiple pathways for students with SEN in Hong Kong.

The article discusses the professionalization and vocationalization of continuing education in Hong Kong, China as a result of educational reforms. Topics include public and private sector involvement in professional and vocational education (PVE), the relation between education and occupational or job training, and the emphasis on learning outcomes assessment.
[Copyright of International Journal of Lifelong Education is the property of Routledge. Full article may be available at the publisher's website:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02601370.2013.774066]