Industries play a pivotal role in the implementation of the Qualifications Framework (QF) and the development of Specification of Competency Standards (SCSs). Industry participation is of paramount importance. Hence, the Education Bureau (EDB) assists in the formation of Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) to provide a platform for employers, employees, professional bodies and other stakeholders to exchange their views on manpower development and upgrading, and to work with EDB to take forward the QF.

The terms of reference of the ITACs are as follows:

1. to develop, maintain and update the Specification of Competency Standards (SCS), and formulate a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) mechanism for the industry;
2. to promote the QF within the industry;
3. to advise on such other matters relevant to the QF as may be referred to the Committee by the Secretary for Education.

The ITACs comprise representatives from employers, employees and professional bodies of respective industries. The members are appointed for a term of two years. Appointments are made on ad personam basis so as to encourage members to make contributions to the industry with their expertise and experience, instead of acting in the interests of the organizations they represented. In addition, an ITAC may set up working groups comprising experts as co-opted members to look into various matters about the industry.

EDB has helped 18 different industries to establish their ITACs in phases. With the assistance of the ITAC Secretariats and expert writers, many of the ITACs have identified the functional areas to be included in their SCSs, and drafted the detailed contents of the units of competencies of each functional area. EDB will continue to develop the QF in a progressive and pragmatic manner, and form ITACs for suitable industries that are willing to do so. We strongly believe that the establishment of QF will facilitate the long-term development of industries, help alleviate the mismatch between job requirements and the qualifications of workers and create a win-win situation for employers, employees and industries.