Adverse Weather Notice << Pro-Act by VTC

Adverse Weather Notice Class Arrangement

This guideline sets out the arrangements in times of typhoons¹ and rainstorms for students and trainees in the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) , including Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), International Culinary Institute (ICI), School of Business and Information Systems (SBI), Youth College (YC), Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre (HITDC), Chinese Cuisine Training Institute (CCTI), Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Pro-Act Training and Development Centres and Shine Skills Centres (hereunder called "campuses/centres").

Please note that:

(a)

It does not apply to:

(i)	students of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) who should follow separate guidelines issued by THEi.
(ii)	trainees of the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK) or candidates sitting examinations organised by PEAK.
(iii)	trainees of the HITDC who are attending training in The T Hotel. Trainees may refer to the HITDC’s own announcement.
(iv)	trainees of the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC). Trainees may refer to the IVDC’s own announcement.

(b)

Students of Shine Skills Centres should comply with public announcements issued by the Education Bureau for all schools for disabled students in times of typhoons and rainstorms.

When typhoons affect Hong Kong, the following arrangements will apply:

Typhoon Signal	IVE Campuses / HKDI / ICI / SBI / Pro-Act Training and Development Centres / HITDC / CCTI / MSTI / Youth College Campuses	Shine Skills Centres
No. 1	To operate as normal	To operate as normal
No. 3 (a) Issued or in force at 6:15 a.m. or thereafter (b) Issued when classes or examinations* are in session	To operate as normal	Classes or examinations* will be immediately suspended.
Pre-No.8 Special Announcement² / Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above		To close all day
(a) Issued or in force at 6:15 a.m. or before 11:00 a.m.	Morning Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) to close
(b) Issued or in force at 11:00 a.m. or before 4:00 p.m.	Afternoon Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) to close
(c) Issued or in force at 4:00 p.m. or thereafter	Evening Session(classes and examinations* that start at or after 6:30 p.m.) to close
(d) Issued when classes or examinations* are in session	All classes or examinations* will be immediately suspended for the session.
(e) Issued before start of examinations*	Examinations* to be held in that particular session should be postponed.
Lowering to No. 3 or below or lowering all signals at any time	All classes or examinations* to resume with the next session unless road or other conditions remain adverse.	To remain closed for the day

* Examinations refer to internal examinations of IVE, HKDI, ICI, SBI, Pro-Act Training and Development Centres, HITDC, CCTI, MSTI, Youth College and Shine Skills Centres.

"Typhoons" also refers to "Tropical Cyclones".
Where possible, the Hong Kong Observatory will issue an early alert (i.e. a "Pre-No. 8 Special Announcement") two hours prior to the hoisting of the No. 8 Typhoon Warning Signal.

When a rainstorm signal is issued, the following arrangements will apply:

Rainstorm Warning Signal	IVE Campuses / HKDI / ICI / SBI / Pro-Act Training and Development Centres / HITDC / CCTI / MSTI / Youth College Campuses	Shine Skills Centres*
AMBER	To operate as normal	To operate as normal
RED/BLACK		To close all day
(a) Issued or in force at 6:15 a.m. or before 11:00 a.m.	Morning Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) to close
(b) Issued or in force at 11:00 a.m. or before 4:00 p.m.	Afternoon Session(classes and examinations* scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) to close
(c) Issued or in force at 4:00 p.m. or thereafter	Evening Session(classes and examinations* that start at or after 6:30 p.m.) to close
(d) Issued when classes or examinations* are in session	All classes or examinations* should continue (except those taking place outdoors) until the end of the session, and if it is the end of the school day and RED/BLACK signal is still in force, students/trainees should be advised to return home or boarding home (for disabled trainees) only when conditions are safe. Remarks: If students/trainees are not yet in the campus/centre premises due to differences in class timetables, they should stay home or take shelters in a safe place. For classes and examinations* conducted outdoors, the responsible staff on the spot will suspend the activities immediately and ensure that all students/trainees are taken shelters in a safe place.
(e) Issued before start of examinations*	Examinations* to be held in that particular session should be postponed.
Lowering to AMBER or all signals at any time	All classes or examinations* to resume with the next session unless road or other conditions remain adverse.	To remain closed for the day

* Examinations refer to internal examinations of IVE, HKDI, ICI, SBI, Pro-Act Training and Development Centres, HITDC, CCTI, MSTI, Youth College and Shine Skills Centres.

In times of typhoons and rainstorms, the announcement on the closure of campuses, postponement and resumption of classes/examinations will also be available on VTC website (www.vtc.edu.hk).

When classes/examinations resume following the lowering of typhoon signals or rainstorm warnings, students or their parents may exercise discretion in deciding whether or not to return to or send their children to the campus/centre after taking into consideration the local weather, road, slope, traffic or transport conditions at that time. Students, in particular those living in remote areas, will not be penalised for being late under these circumstances.

Vocational Training Council

September 2012