As instructed by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (“HKCAAVQ”) will stop receiving applications for course registration / renewal of registration and course amendment under the Continuing Education Fund (“CEF Course Applications”) with effect from 3 October 2024 (Thursday).
LWB will announce the details of the new arrangements for collecting CEF Course Applications in due course.
HKCAAVQ, commissioned by Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB), is responsible for (a) advising LWB on the registration of courses to be included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF), and (b) monitoring the quality of courses after CEF registration, as and when required by LWB.
In June 2002, the Government set up the CEF to encourage adults to pursue further education by providing them with subsidies for continuing education and training, with a view to facilitating Hong Kong’s transition to a knowledge-based economy and adaptation to an increasingly globalised world.
In order to enhance the operation of CEF, a series of enhancement measures applicable to all CEF courses from 1 April 2019 are implemented.
Within the eight specified domains of CEF
Specification of Competency Standards-based (SCS-based) courses under the Qualifications Register (QR)
All registered courses under the QR, including SCS-based courses, Specification of Generic (Foundation) Competencies-based (SGC-based) courses, and non SCS/SGC-based courses which are divided into 14 classified Areas of Study and Training
QR registration of CEF courses
No such requirement before May 2008
Since May 2008, all new CEF courses must be registered under the QR
QR registration of CEF courses
CEF courses registered before May 2008 are required to be registered under the QR within a transitional period of four years
All new CEF courses must be registered under the QR
Validity period of CEF course registration
For courses which have a validity period of QR registration, the validity period of the CEF registration will expire on the end date of their QR validity period
For other CEF courses, no expiry date of the CEF registration
Validity period of CEF course registration
Every CEF course will have a validity period of four years, or until the expiry of their respective QR registration, whichever is the shorter
A more robust documentation checking system is instilled for the renewal procedures
Deterrence of non-compliance with CEF terms and conditions
Issuance of warning letters upon infringement of terms and conditions
For severe non-compliance, cancellation of course registration or referral to law enforcement agencies for formal investigation
Deterrence of non-compliance with CEF terms and conditions
In addition to the existing sanctions, set up a probation list which records course providers that have repeated or serious contraventions of terms and conditions, and publicise the list on CEF’s website
CEF Course Amendment
Course providers are required to seek prior written approval from the Secretary for Labour and Welfare for any change(s) made to the registered course by using the Application Form for Amendment.
Unauthorised change(s) made to the registered course will be considered as non-compliance with the CEF Terms and Conditions, and may lead to de-registration of the course or other regulatory actions. If the course is accredited by HKCAAVQ and the proposed amendment constitutes substantial change to the accreditation status, please seek prior approval from HKCAAVQ before submitting the application for amendment.
Completed application forms and supporting documents should be submitted to HKCAAVQ via the e-Portal. The processing time will normally take 30 calendar days.
CEF Course Registration and Renewal of Registration
Course providers are advised to read the following guides as applicable before submitting their applications to HKCAAVQ for assessment:
| Guides | Documents |
|---|---|
| Guide to Registration, Post-registration and Renewal of Reimbursable Courses under the Continuing Education Fund (operated by Local Self-accrediting Course Providers) (Sep 2023) | |
| Guide to Registration, Post-registration and Renewal of Reimbursable Courses under the Continuing Education Fund (operated by Non-self-accrediting Course Providers) (Sep 2023) |
Completed application forms and supporting documents should be submitted to HKCAAVQ via the e-Portal. The processing time will normally take between 7 to 30 calendar days.
For enquiries about the HKCAAVQ’s assessment service for CEF reimbursable courses, please contact us on 3658 0241 or email to cef@hkcaavq.edu.hk.
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