More than 100 specifications of competency standards-based courses, set out by eight industry-training advisory committees, have been organised, with over 5,000 participants, Secretary for Education Michael Suen said today.

In response to legislator Samson Tam's query today, Mr Suen said eight advisory committees have finalised their specifications, two are conducting extensive consultation on the draft specifications, while two are close to completing theirs.

The specifications set out clearly the skills, knowledge and outcome standards required of employees in different functional areas of the industries, and enable course operators to design training courses to meet the industries' needs.

Upon completion of the specifications, the advisory committees will promote the use of the specifications and encourage training organisations to make reference to them in designing courses.

"Training organisations have organised more than 100 specifications of competency standards-based courses with over 5,000 participants. On the whole, the work of the advisory committees deserves our recognition," Mr Suen said.

The Qualifications Framework was launched in May last year, to be implemented in the 12 industries in which advisory committees have been formed.

"We will monitor closely the development of qualifications framework in other countries and regions, and will explore in future the possibility of mutual recognition between Hong Kong and the Mainland and overseas," he said.