V Sparkle

Empowering Youth through VPET & Financial Education

Vocational and Professional Education and Training, coupled with financial planning knowledge, helps young people develop their entrepreneurial skills. Connected by CEU, nearly 20 students from the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Youth College (International) (YCI), and the Student Development Discipline of VTC participated in the "WISE – Youth Financial Management Education Project," launched by the Methodist Epworth Village Community Centre, Social Welfare and funded by the HKEX Foundation and monitored by The Community Chest of Hong Kong. After six months of workshops and preparation, the three student teams learned financial knowledge during their spare time and how to sell their self-designed and crafted products at a market. During the "WISE Young Entrepreneur Market 2025" held last week at the Mills in Tsuen Wan, they experienced being an entrepreneur and received positive feedback from their customers. 

Student participants leveraged their professional skills to design, produce and promote their exquisite and unique creations.  Six students from THEi's Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion Design upgraded old fabrics to create various fashionable items, including denim bags, denim hats, rose fabric accessories, and glowing plastic flower installations. Most of the materials for these products were produced by students from the Shine Skills Centre, fostering mutual growth of students through skill exchange.

Meanwhile, six students from YCI's Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (Engineering) and Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (Design) utilised 3D printing technology and packaging design knowledge to create a series of animal-themed products, including blind box models, potted plant sets, pen holders, and card holders. YCI students were delighted to adopt digital technology in the design and production of a real product. 

The Student Development Discipline also co-ordinated a team from Business Discipline of IVE (Haking Wong) to participate in the market, with members creating eco-friendly bags, knitted flower keychains, animal keychains, and bracelets, all centered around the theme of nature. They made use of their marketing and business expertise to attract customers. 

The students introduced their design concepts and production processes, bringing VPET skills and knowledge into the community and showcasing the combination of creativity and skills, as well as cultural integration among local and non-Chinese-speaking students within the teams.

Photo 1: Representatives from participating teams, including (from left) Dr Simon HO, Director of Vocational Training for People with Disabilities Office, Mr Wing WONG,  Principal of Youth College (International), Ms Jenny KO, Academic Director of VTC Student Development Discipline, Prof Paul TSANG, Vice President (Academic) of THEi, Dr CHAN Yin-lun, Head of Department of Design and Architecture, THEi, Dr Eve CHAN, Assistant Professor of Department of Design and Architecture, THEi, Mr Partick CHU, Principal Lecturer of Youth College (International), Ms Vicky CHAU, Chief Community Engagement Manager of VTC Community Engagement Unit, and Mr Dickson LO, Acting Senior Lecturer of Youth College (International).

Photo 2: The student team from the Youth College (International) creates animal blind box models, using 3D printing technology, allowing for a variety of combinations of animals and plants, which attracted many customers.

Photo 3: Fashion design students from THEi introduce various products and design concepts made from upcycled waste fabrics to Mrs Christine CHEUNG, Acting General Secretary of MEVCC (left).

Photo 4: The IVE (Haking Wong) students from the Student Development Discipline team provide DIY bracelets on-site according to customer requests.

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