Press Release

First food and beverage training block for adult inmates opens

     The first food and beverage service training block for adult male inmates in the Correctional Services Department (CSD)'s Tong Fuk Correctional Institution (TFCI) was opened today (October 20) to provide inmates with enhanced and integrated food and beverage service training facilities.

     The training block, which is a two-storey building, consists of classrooms for theoretical study on the upper floor and a training kitchen and restaurant on the ground floor for practical training. It provides venues for the institution to organise food and beverage service training courses for inmates and to help them obtain recognised qualifications, and as a result equips inmates for the future when they return to the community.

     Speaking at the ceremony, officiating guest Dr Carrie Willis, the Executive Director of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), said the VTC has been closely working with the CSD in the implementation of rehabilitation programmes. Since 2009, the VTC has sent qualified instructors to conduct 13 training courses for some 200 inmates inside correctional institutions. The courses cover the trades of beauty care, hairdressing, retail services, office operations, graphic design, air-conditioning and refrigeration, and food and beverage service.

     Noting that results obtained by inmates have been encouraging, she commended the vocational training provided by the CSD as professional and market-oriented, which could better prepare inmates for their reintegration into society.

     "The establishment of this new training block centre creates a better learning environment for inmates. Through systematic practise in the training kitchen and training restaurant, inmates can obtain practical knowledge and skills in the field," Dr Willis said.

     Also held at the opening ceremony was a graduation ceremony for the first Chinese culinary and restaurant class. Eighteen inmates were presented with Certificates for the Chinese Culinary and Restaurant Service Course and Food Hygiene Certificates for the Food Hygiene Manager Course.

     The training course was jointly launched by the CSD and the Integrated Vocational Training Development Centre of the VTC at TFCI in mid-May and was completed at the end of September this year. The course, which involved 100 teaching days, required participants to complete a total of 600 hours of training that covered food safety and hygiene, the foundations of Chinese culinary service, skills for Chinese restaurant service, job interview techniques and vocational language study.

     Situated at 31 Ma Po Ping Road, Lantau Island, TFCI is a medium security institution established in 1966. It was renamed as TFCI on February 25, 2010, and has a capacity of 875 penal places for male adult prisoners.

Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:55

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An instructor (left) from the Vocational Training Council teaches an inmate professional cooking skills in Tong Fuk Correctional Institution's food and beverage service training block.  

  Inmates at Tong Fuk Correctional Institution practise Chinese restaurant service skills.