Maritime and aviation Training FUnd

Professional Training and Examination Refund Scheme (ProTERS)

Objective

To incentivize those interested to join or re-join, as well as already working in, the maritime and aviation sectors, including local vessel seafarers, to attend course(s) and sit for examination(s) that are being offered by various education institutions, professional or trade bodies to raise their professionalism and competency, and encourage them to acquire relevant professional qualification(s).

Target

In-service practitioners: already working full-time in a company / an organization in the maritime and aviation sectors of Hong Kong; or

Practitioners-to-be: prepared to join the maritime / aviation sector of Hong Kong; or

Re-joining practitioners: sustained job break from the maritime / aviation sector of Hong Kong

Pre-approved courses and examinations

Courses and / or examinations must be taken within or after its first issue on the “Pre-approved Courses / Examinations List”

Level of subsidy

With effect from 1 September 2021, each successful applicant will be refunded 80% of the fees, subject to a maximum of HK$30,000,Note for the pre-approved courses/examinations.
Note: The subsidy ceiling of HK$30,000 would apply on an ad personam basis. Refund claim applications submitted before 1 September 2021 would be processed in accordance with the requirements stipulated before the said date, i.e. refund 80% of the course/examination fees with subsidy ceiling of HK$18,000.

Procedures for application

For maritime sector, the enhanced measures under the Scheme have taken into effect from 1 September 2021. Apart from in-service practitioners, those who are prepared to enter the industry through training (practitioners-to-be), as well as those who sustain job break but re-join the industry (re-joining practitioners) are eligible for making a refund application for the fees of courses/examinations completed/passed during the specified period. Applications must be made by individuals. Applications from company/organisation will not be accepted. Detailed requirements are tabulated below :

Type I Application Type II Application
Target
  • In-service practitioners: Already working in the maritime sector of Hong Kong
  • Practitioners-to-be:Prepared to join the maritime sector of Hong Kong
Re-joining practitioners: Sustained job break from the maritime sector of Hong Kong
Eligibility
  • The applicant must -
    • be a Hong Kong resident and lawfully employable in Hong Kong; and
    • be in full-time employment in the maritime sector with an organisation/company in Hong Kong at the time of application(with employment proof)
  • the applicant has enrolled in or taken one of the pre-approved courses or examinations, and has completed the course to the satisfaction of the course provider or passed the examination; and
  • the applicant has not been granted any other forms of subsidy or financial assistance for the relevant pre-approved course/examination.
  • The applicant must -
    • be a Hong Kong resident and lawfully employable in Hong Kong; and
    • have left his/her employment in an organisation/company of the maritime sector in Hong Kong (with service exit proof) and completed the course / passed the examination on or after 1 March 2020, and re-employed full-time by an organisation/company of the maritime sector in Hong Kong at the time of application (with employment proof), which must not be later than 31 March 2023*
  • the applicant has enrolled in or taken one of the pre-approved courses or examinations, and has completed the course to the satisfaction of the course provider or passed the examination; and
  • the applicant has not been granted any other forms of subsidy or financial assistance for the relevant pre-approved course/examination.
Deadline for Application Within four months after completing the course / passing the examination On or before 31 March 2023*
*Extended applicability period

The above measures have no retrospective effect. They apply to applications submitted on or after 1 September 2021 only.

Please refer to the table above for the application period for different types of application. Late application will not be accepted. Applicants should complete and submit the (i) application form and (ii) copies of the required documents by post to the MATF, Transport and Logistics Bureau at 20/F, East Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Hong Kong.

Notes for Applicants and Application Form (maritime sector)

Enquiries

Telephone: 3509 7261

Email: matf@tlb.gov.hk