Andrew
Ho,
Director
of
Jockey
Club
Multiple
Pathways
Initiative
–
CLAP-TECH
Centre,
(left)
and
Patrick
Tam,
Principal
Advisor
at
3
Screens
Strategic
Advisors
Limited
(right),
an
industry
partner
of
Jockey
Club
Multiple
Pathways
Initiative
–
CLAP-TECH
Pathway,
discussed
CLAP-TECH’s
survey
findings
and
their
implications.
This
year’s
survey
results
indicate
a
growing
recognition
among
employers
in
both
industries
of
the
capabilities
of
higher
diploma
graduates.
In
the
age
of
artificial
intelligence,
employers
are
placing
greater
emphasis
on
soft
skills
and
acknowledging
the
role
of
Vocational
and
Professional
Education
and
Training
(VPET)
in
cultivating
talent
with
market-relevant
expertise.
Starting
salaries
for
higher
diploma
and
university
degree
fresh
graduates
remain
between
HKD
17,000
and
HKD
23,000
Employers’
recognition
of
higher
diploma
graduates
improves
compared
to
last
year
According to the survey, approximately 60% of employers believed that higher diploma graduates possess soft and hard skills comparable to, or even stronger than, those of university degree graduates. Employers’ recognition of the soft and hard skills of higher diploma graduates has increased by 8.8 and 17.1 percentage points respectively, compared to last year.
This growing acknowledgment is evident in graduates’ starting salaries. In the Creative Media industry, most higher diploma graduates (77.2%) and university degree fresh graduates (66.8%) receive a starting salary of HKD 17,000 to HKD 23,000. Notably, the proportion of higher diploma graduates with starting salaries between HKD 20,000 and HKD 23,000 has risen by 9.7 percentage points compared to last year. In the ICT industry, the majority of higher diploma graduates (68%) fit within the HKD 17,000 to HKD 23,000 starting salary range, mirroring last year’s findings (64.7%), while over half (56.4%) of university degree fresh graduates are in the same salary bracket this year.
Regarding hiring process duration and salary increments, employers in the ICT and Creative Media sectors reported an average time of nearly three months to fill suitable vacancies, with 8.8% of ICT employers indicating that some positions may take more than six months to fill. Some 70% of responding employers expect salary increments for higher diploma and university degree fresh graduates in 2025 to be between 2% and 5.9%, aligning with market expectations.
Andrew Ho, Director of the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Centre, said: “We are pleased to see a significant annual increase in employers’ recognition of higher diploma graduates’ soft and hard skills. Starting salaries for higher diploma graduates have also increased this year, particularly in the Creative Media sector. This reflects a growing market demand for quality graduate talent and demonstrates that higher diploma graduates with the right skills and qualifications are becoming increasingly competitive in the job market.”
Academic
achievements
are
a
lesser
priority,
with
soft
skills
gaining
greater
competitiveness
in
the
age
of
AI
As
artificial
intelligence
(AI)
continues
to
reshape
education
and
the
workplace,
the
survey
revealed
that
over
half
(54.6%)
of
the
surveyed
employers
have
fully
or
partially
integrated
advanced
technologies
like
AI
and
generative
AI
into
their
daily
operations,
while
over
one-third
(37.4%)
are
considering
such
integration.
However,
as
businesses
increasingly
adopt
these
technologies,
employers
prioritise
soft
skills
such
as
“curiosity
and
lifelong
learning”,
“analytical
thinking”,
and
“resilience,
flexibility,
and
agility”.
These
skills
are
deemed
more
important
than
the
knowledge
and
skills
of
AI
and
big
data,
which
ranks
fifth
in
importance
in
the
next
five
to
ten
years.
During job interviews, employers have shifted their focus from candidates’ internships or practical experience to demonstrating soft skills such as communication (81.7%), problem-solving abilities (81.5%) and leadership potential (57.1%). Remarkably, the proportion of employers in the ICT and creative media sectors who value leadership potential surged, nearly doubling and increasing by over 1.7 times respectively compared to the previous year. More than 24.2% of employers in the ICT industry and 17.2% in the Creative Media industry believe that current candidates lack these skills, while academic performance and credentials are considered a lesser priority.
Employers in the Creative Media industry indicate that in the next five to ten years, talent will need to acquire “creative thinking” and “technological literacy” along with skills related to “artificial intelligence and big data”. Patrick Tam, Principal Advisor at 3 Screens Strategic Advisors Limited, an industry partner of the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway, stated: “In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, employers are increasingly in need of team members who possess a balanced blend of soft and hard skills. While proficiency in industry-specific skills is crucial, we also value employees who exhibit a strong sense of curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. As artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in our daily workflow, it is imperative that our workforce applies their analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and judgement to ensure the responsible implementation of AI technologies. The qualities of resilience, flexibility and agility will render employees indispensable in today’s dynamic work environment.”
Andrew Ho, Director of the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Centre, said: “To ensure that the CLAP-TECH curriculum aligns with industry needs, we engaged with industry partners early on to gain insights into emerging career trends and the essential role of both soft and hard skills. Through a tripartite partnership among HKBU, industry partners and secondary schools, we are dedicated to nurturing talents equipped with the skills necessary for the future workforce. The findings of this survey validate our vision: industry participation is key for talent development, and the significance of soft skills must not be overlooked in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.”
Over
90%
of
employers
agree
that
vocational
education
produces
more
graduates
with
in-demand
skills
The
HKSAR
Government
rebranded
vocational
education
and
training
in
Hong
Kong
as
Vocational
and
Professional
Education
and
Training
(VPET)
in
2016,
establishing
a
diverse
range
of
teaching
models
and
pathways
for
further
education.
The
survey
shows
that
over
90%
of
respondents
believe
VPET
helps
enhance
the
soft
and
hard
skills,
work
attitudes
and
daily
competencies
of
higher
diploma
graduates,
thereby
enriching
the
talent
pool.
Some
30%
of
the
respondents
stated
that
VPET
can
“significantly
improve”
practical
skills.
Andrew Ho, Director of the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Centre, said: “Our survey results indicate a greater awareness among respondents regarding initiatives such as Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), Industrial Attachment, and Career and Life Planning Grant. However, there remains a general lack of understanding regarding VPET. This highlights the need for the government to enhance VPET and its promotion to both employers and the public, emphasising its critical role in talent development and skills enhancement. This commitment will empower every talented young individual to chart their career paths, fully leverage their strengths and meet the future demands for various professional skills.”
Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway (CLAP-TECH) commissioned a market research company to conduct its second annual online survey in October this year, interviewing a total of 500 local employers who had been involved in the recruitment process in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and/ or Creative Media industries in the past 12 months. Over 60% of the respondents frequently hire employees (every few months or multiple times per month) and have final decision-making authority or influence in the recruitment process.
Hashtag: #claptechpathway
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate