"It is hoped that these courses may ultimately count towards professional or academic qualifications conferred by these institutions," said Chief Inspector (Training) Susanna Woods.

She pointed out that the aim had been prompted by the fact there had been a tremendous demand for computer training by Force members as the Force's computer system applications were upgraded from time to time.

"To dovetail with the intended establishment of the 'Police College', ITTC is examining the in-house computer courses with a view to incorporating a competency assessment, which will determine the level of skill each participant has attained. Their skill levels would be graded and certification will be provided at the end of the assessment," said Mrs Woods.

Senior Inspector Training Steve Tang, who heads the pilot project, said the first assessment was conducted on the Formation Information Communal System (FICS) five-day course. The Competency Assessment Grading System is divided into two types of questions, namely multiple choice and scenario. With the technical support from the Information Technology Bureau and Training Development Bureau, a computer programme has been developed for assessment purpose. After further testing on the reliability and validity of the questions, the first assessment on the FICS five-day course was completed and the next assessment will be conducted on the Traffic Operation Management System five-day course.

Mrs Woods said: "Though a lot of preparation work are required in running this Competency Assessment Grading System, the project team has been greatly encouraged by trainees' response and favourable comments on the assessment. The trainees have agreed that the assessment is the best way to test their knowledge on what they have learned and they are eager to prove their standard.

"Getting high marks is a challenge for the trainees, and so far their response to the assessment is positive. In order to seek accreditation from tertiary institutions, all trainees will be issued with a certificate of competence by the Training Wing."

"To promote e-learning and self-learning culture, ITTC has also developed a number of Computer Based Training (CBT) modules for the computer systems. So far, a total of 40 modules have been completed involving three major computer systems and they have been uploaded on Police Intranet (POINT) via ITTC Homepage and the Training Wing Learning Portal," she added.

Among ITTC's other achievements is the CBT module for System Security Managers (SSM). Mrs Woods said: "In order to assist the SSMs to handle the Enhanced Computer Assisted Command & Control System (ECACCS), a CBT package on the SSM Course has been uploaded on POINT and Civil Service Training and Development Institute Cyber Learning Centre site. From now on, SSMs or ASSMs (Admin) can gain access to the on-line CBT modules and learn the relevant functions for re-activating and re-granting of the ECACCS password in their offices without the need to attend the training course in this Centre. Those SSMs or ASSMs who have used this e-learning programme have found the CBT module easy to follow. Most important of all, the module has saved them the need to attend this half-day course."

Station Sergeant Kong Wing-lam is the web-master of the ITTC Homepage, and the officer-in-charge of the CBT modules. Users wishing to comment on the CBT or the Competency Assessment Grading System can click the "Feedback" icon at the left bottom of the In-Service Training Bureau index page. A form with text field will appear for input of comments and user can then click the "Submit" icon at the end.

Mrs Woods has encouraged all members to provide their feedbacks so that the standard of the ITTC in-house computer system could be improved.