Professional Training on Smart and Green Logistics Scheme (PTSGLS)

With a view to helping the logistics sector to nurture more professional talents and to encourage in-service practitioners to equip themselves with up-to-date knowledge to support the industry to upgrade and transform itself towards the direction of green and smart logistics, the Government launched the Professional Training on Smart and Green Logistics Scheme (PTSGLS, the Scheme) on 8 January 2024 under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund (MATF). To diversify course options for logistics industry practitioners, with effect from 4 October 2024, the Scheme has been enhanced to include courses that operate on a self-financing basis.  Hong Kong registered companies or educational institutions offering or wishing to offer training courses that are non-profit or self-financing and are directly related to smart and green logistics and related technologies may apply to have their relevant courses registered as pre-approved courses under the Scheme.

Also, to streamline administration of the Scheme, courses deemed suitable for enhancing the knowledge of industry practitioners in smart and green logistics will be put on a list of pre-approved courses under the Scheme, from which eligible industry practitioners and practitioners-to-be may select relevant courses and apply for refund under the Scheme for up to 80% of the course fees after satisfactory completion of a pre-approved course, subject to a funding cap of HK$30,000 per applicant.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) has engaged the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) as the Implementation Partner to serve as the Secretariat for the Scheme. The Scheme is overseen by the Steering Committee of the PTSGLS under the Subcommittee on Industry Development (SID) under the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL). Please click here for the membership of SID.

The cut-off date of first batch of applications for course providers is on 30 November 2024.

[Note: Applications received by the Secretariat after this cut-off date will be processed together with the next batch of applications received by the next cut-off date.]

The Scheme covers training courses directly related to smart and green logistics and related technologies to be conducted in Hong Kong whose curriculum should include but may not be limited to:

1. latest professional, technical knowledge and practical skills in advanced logistics practices, such as those in relation to e-logistics, special cargo handling, digitalisation, blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, robotics and automation technology, cybersecurity, environmental, social and governance (ESG), etc.; or
2. other logistics-specific topics that can be identified in standards, manuals or guidelines established by professional bodies, trade associations or other relevant organisations in the logistics industry.

Eligible course providers under the Scheme should satisfy the following requirements – 

• Hong Kong registered companies or educational institutions (i.e. companies incorporated and registered in Hong Kong under the Business Registration Ordinance (Cap. 310), charitable bodies exempted from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance, or statutory organisations in Hong Kong).
• The course provider must be the organiser of the approved course.

• The training courses could be conducted either online or through physical attendance in the form of, including but not limited to, short course, certification programme, seminar, webinar or online self-learning programme.
• Course providers are required to apply for approval of the training courses (hereafter referred to as “pre-approved courses”) for inclusion in the List of Pre-approved Courses under the Scheme before course commencement.
• Pre-approved courses have a validity period of 3 years and will be subject to a review before the expiry of the validity period.
• All training must be conducted in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the Steering Committee may consider granting approval, on a case by case basis, to refund a certain part(s) of a training module(s) conducted outside Hong Kong, if any.
• Training courses which have received/would receive other sources of funding support provided by the Government will not be eligible for registration under the Scheme.

• The Scheme is open for applications all year round.
• The actual processing time will depend on completeness and clarity of the information provided by the course provider.
• To apply for the Scheme, course providers should submit the following to the Secretariat via email ([email protected]):-
  • Duly completed and signed application form; and
  • Registration and supporting documents of the applicant organisation as listed in the application form.

The cut-off date of first batch of applications is on 30 November 2024.

[Note: Applications received by the Secretariat after this cut-off date will be processed together with the next batch of applications received by the next cut-off date.]

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• Applications will be assessed based on individual merits and considered on a case-by-case basis.
• The assessment criteria of the proposed training course include:
  
  1. Relevance of the proposed course content to the objectives of the Scheme;
  2. Effectiveness and distinctiveness of the proposed training course content;
  3. Quality of the teaching staff;
  4. Quality and approach in course delivery; and
  5. Professional and/or academic standing of the course provider.

• To facilitate evaluation of the pre-approved course, course providers are required to review the information/ materials of the pre-approved courses on an annual basis and provide the updated information in writing each year.
• All pre-approved courses have a validity period of 3 years and will be subject to a review before the expiry of the validity period, through which the Secretariat would examine whether the approval should be renewed for another three years.

• Any course provider who knowingly or wilfully makes a false statement, misrepresents or conceals any information in order to obtain approval under the Scheme by deception commits a criminal offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment.
• The Steering Committee reserves the right to suspend or terminate a pre-approved course. Circumstances which warrant suspension or termination may include but not limited to a lack of satisfactory progress, failure to produce documentary evidence to the satisfaction of the Secretariat, or if the Steering Committee sees fit to terminate the pre-approved course in public interest.
• Once a pre-approved course is suspended or terminated, eligible participant(s) of the pre-approved course(s) provided by the course provider(s) concerned will not be entitled to the receipt of refunds under the Scheme and any cost incurred in the pre-approved course(s) will be solely borne by the course provider(s).

Please refer to the Guide to Course Providers for Pre-approved Courses for details.

The Scheme covers training courses directly related to smart and green logistics and related technologies to be conducted in Hong Kong whose curriculum should include but may not be limited to:

1. latest professional, technical knowledge and practical skills in advanced logistics practices, such as those in relation to e-logistics, special cargo handling, digitalisation, blockchain, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, robotics and automation technology, cybersecurity, environmental, social and governance (ESG), etc.; or
2. other logistics-specific topics that can be identified in standards, manuals or guidelines established by professional bodies, trade associations or other relevant organisations in the logistics industry.

• In-service practitioners of the logistics sector: Already working in the logistics industry of Hong Kong; or
• New joiners of logistics sector: Newly enter the logistics industry of Hong Kong within four months after completion of the courses.

Applications for refunds under the Scheme must be made by individuals. Applications from companies/organisations will not be accepted. For each application for refund under the Scheme –

1. the applicant must:
   
   1. be a Hong Kong resident and lawfully employable in Hong Kong;
   2. be in full-time employment in the logistics sector with an organisation/company in Hong Kong at the time of application; and
      
      
2. the applicant has enrolled in or taken one of the pre-approved courses, and has completed the course to the satisfaction of the course provider; and
3. the applicant has NOT been granted any other forms of subsidy or financial assistance for the relevant course(s).

• Each successful applicant will be refunded 80% of their course fees, subject to a maximum amount of HK$30,000, for the pre-approved courses. Each individual may apply for course fee refund for more than one pre-approved course, up to a cumulative cap of HK$30,000 per person, under the Scheme.
• Refunds will be granted on a first-come-first-served basis, until funding for the Scheme has been fully expended. If there are no remaining funds available at the time an applicant submits an application, the application concerned may not be approved for refund even if it meets the eligibility criteria.
• Applicants who have received/would receive other subsidies or financial assistance for the same pre-approved course(s) will not be eligible for refund under the Scheme.

• Applicants are required to submit their applications within 4 months after completing a pre-approved course to the satisfaction of the course provider. Late applications will not be processed.
• The actual processing time will depend on completeness and clarity of the information provided by the applicant.
• To apply for the Scheme, applicants should submit the following to the Secretariat via email ([email protected]):-
  
  • Duly completed and signed application form; and
  • Supporting documents as listed in the application form.
    
    

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• Refund will be made by direct credit to the designated bank account nominated by an applicant for receipt of the reimbursement.
• The name of the applicant on the account must be exactly the same as the name on the Hong Kong Identity (“HKID”) Card. Credit card accounts, fixed deposit accounts, foreign currency accounts and loans accounts are not acceptable for direct credit of reimbursement.
• If an applicant fails to comply with the terms and conditions stipulated in the application form and the Guide to Application for Refund of Course Fee (with Application Form), the Secretariat may withhold disbursement of any part of funding support to the applicant and/or request the return of the disbursed funding in full or in part from the applicant.

• The Secretariat reserves the right to suspend or rescind a refund for the course fee paid by an applicant for a pre-approved course for which the application concerned under the Scheme has been approved.
• Upon termination of the application, the applicant may have to return all/part of the refund disbursed in respect of these pre-approved courses together with all administrative, legal and other related costs and payments to the Government via the Secretariat.

Please refer to the Guide to Applicants for Refund of Course Fee (with Application Form) for details.

Hong Kong Logistics Development Council (LOGSCOUNCIL)
Subcommittee on Industry Development (SID)

Membership List
2024-2025 Term

Chairman

The Honourable Frankie YICK Chi-ming, G.B.S., J.P.

Vice Chairman

Mr Henry KO Hok-han

Members

Mr Alan CHEUNG Hiu-lung
Ms Suki CHEUNG Shuk-ming
Mr Roberto GIANNETTA
Mr Johnson KWONG Chi-sing
Mr LAM King-shing
Mr Patrick LAM Hing-man
Mr Gary LAU Ho-yin
Ms Lavinia LAU Hoi-zee
Ir Dr Kelvin LEUNG Kai-yuen
Ms Anna LIN Kit-yee, M.H., J.P.
Dr Miranda LOU Lai-wah
Mr Simon WONG Kwong-yeung, M.H.
Ms Elsa YEUNG Mei-fong
Ir Elsa YUEN May-yee

Secretary

Deputy Secretary for Transport and Logistics