The Skills Upgrading Scheme has offered more than 240,000 training places since its inception in 2001 to enhance the skills of elementary in-service workers of 26 industries.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Skills Upgrading Charity Walk today Permanent Secretary for Labour & Welfare Paul Tang said the 26 industries include Chinese catering, building maintenance and decoration, and environmental hygiene.

A recent study by an independent consultant showed a majority of the trainees said the courses helped them enhance their vocational skills and employers also gave positive feedback, Mr Tang said.

The scheme has devised specific indicators, such as whether trainees can put what they have learned into practice and improvement in trainees' work attitude to assess the effectiveness of the scheme more objectively and precisely.

In line with the development of the Qualifications Framework the scheme's industry working groups will continue to review and revise the courses as necessary to ensure their recognition under the framework, he said.