The result of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination will be released on July 13. Apart from university, vocational training education is another path youngsters can take to achieve success.
Anthony Lam, 23, has had a passion for aircraft since he was a boy.
Having earned an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Higher Diploma at the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, he is now working as an Aircraft Maintenance Craftsman Trainee in the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company.
He was rotated to different sectors including landing gear, engines, avionics and internal maintenance for training.
"I think engine maintenance is the most difficult part, since engines are complicated. I am too big to fix some narrow parts and I need help. The aircraft maintenance industry emphasises teamwork. We need to work together to solve problems."
Tuition refund
To attract new blood and support the sustainable development of the aircraft maintenance industry, the Government launched the Partial Tuition Refund Scheme for the Specialised Aircraft Maintenance Programme in the 2014-15 financial year for five years.
Students must finish the Higher Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering or the Diploma in Vocational Education (Aircraft Maintenance) offered by the Vocational Training Council.
If they are employed by a local aircraft maintenance company within six months and work for a continuous period of at least two years, they are eligible to apply for a 50% refund of the total tuition fee, subject to a maximum sum of $30,000.
Up to now there are about 50 successful applicants. Anthony is one of them.
"The Government subsidy is attractive to people who just joined the workforce like me. It can reduce my financial burden so I can focus on training."
Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Technical Training Head Thomas Chan said both the company and the students have benefitted from the scheme.
"This scheme can attract graduate students to join the aircraft maintenance industry. The company can gain a lot of manpower reserves and it is good for company development."
Mr Chan said they recruit more than 300 graduates every year. If they pass the Civil Aviation Department's examination they can be promoted to engineer in about six years.
Maritime dreams
Apart from offering financial support to aircraft maintenance graduates, the Government has also launched the Sea-going Training Incentive Scheme to encourage youngsters to develop their career in the port and maritime support industries.
Under the scheme, deck cadets and engineer cadets who complete 18 months and 12 months of training respectively are eligible to apply for the subsidy of $6,000 per month. The Marine Department will pay the subsidy to the successful applicants as a lump sum on completion of training.
Isaac Chan finished his deck cadet training in a sea-going company and received $108,000 under the scheme.
"This scheme helps us a lot. We can get a reasonable wage and use that subsidy to study and attend different training courses in Hong Kong."
After the Advanced Level Examination, Isaac studied Physics at the University of Hong Kong. However, after two-and-a-half years he found he was not suitable and gave up on the course.
With the encouragement of a relative who was working in the maritime industry, Isaac switched to the Maritime Services Training Institute to study a Higher Diploma in Maritime Studies.
"During training I travelled to the US, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and other places. Our ship faced inclement weather."
After finishing 18-months training a cadet is qualified to sit for the Class Three Deck Officer Examination. Normally it takes six to seven years to become a captain depending on education background and experience.
"I hope to become a captain in the future. Wages are very attractive, almost $100,000 per month."
He encourages young people who are interested in a maritime career to enter the industry, but they must be willing to learn and work hard.
"After entering the industry and having enough experience, I am ready for a clear career progression. I am confident I will reap the benefits in the future."