Improvement measures will be introduced in phases from September 1 to enhance the Continuing Education Fund's operation, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says.

The upper age limit of eligible applicants will be lifted from 60 to 65 to enable more learners to enjoy the fund's financial subsidy. Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 to pursue further education. Courses on Spanish and Korean will also be eligible for registration under the fund's language domain.

From the end of 2007, the validity period for making reimbursement claims will be extended from two to four years. A maximum of four claims will be allowed within the validity period. The extension arrangement will apply to all applicants, including former applicants whose validity period has already expired.

Fund effective

"Since the establishment of the fund in June 2002, over 350,000 applications have been approved and about 6,200 courses are currently registered as recognised courses under the fund," Mr Cheung said.

"Survey results showed that the fund has been effective in promoting and supporting lifelong learning. It has also helped learners to enhance their knowledge and skills which can be usefully applied in the workplace."

The Government has introduced measures to strengthen the quality assurance mechanism for courses registered under the fund and to safeguard the interests of course participants. They include adopting a risk-based monitoring mechanism for courses; tightening controls on course providers to avoid possible abuse; and publishing updated records on courses on the website. 

Formal accreditation

Upon the implementation of the accreditation mechanism under the Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications Ordinance in early 2008, all new courses will have to undergo a formal accreditation exercise before registration under the fund.

To tie in with the Qualifications Framework's development, courses designed in accordance with the Specifications of Competency Standards may also be registered under the fund.