2023:
To alleviate the manpower shortage in trades, the HKSAR Government announced the implementation of the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS) in the 2023 Policy Address. The Scheme will run as a pilot programme for two years, enabling non-local students enrolled in 27 VPAS eligible VTC full-time Higher Diploma (HD) Programmes in 5 trades in Hong Kong for the 2024/25 or 2025/26 academic year to apply upon graduation to remain in Hong Kong for employment in the trades relevant to their programmes of study.
2024:
In the 2024 Policy Address, the HKSAR Government announced the inclusion of 7 additional HD programmes in 7 trades for the 2025/26 academic year, bringing the total number of VPAS eligible VTC full-time HD (2-year) programmes to 34, covering a total of 12 trades.
2025:
After reviewing the Scheme in 2025, the HKSAR Government announced an extension of the pilot scheme for two more admission cohorts, covering the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years, along with the inclusion of a new trade. Starting from the 2026/27 academic year, VPAS will cover 13 trades and maintain 34 VPAS eligible programmes.
