Last night, the variety show “Build a Better Hong Kong” was broadcast. The programme had four sessions of short films, describing the International Commerce Centre, Stage 2A of the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme, Stonecutters Bridge and Zero Carbon Building. These four projects are very meaningful as they showcase Hong Kong’s high-rise development, underground development, horizontal development and sustainable development respectively.

While developing Hong Kong into a beautiful home for all, different professions and industries have been performing their duties well. In the past, our older generation worked very hard to promote economic development and strengthened Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre and Asian metropolis. Today, we endeavour to promote a liveable Hong Kong with sustainable development, and continue to consolidate and enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness through investing in various infrastructure projects. In this regard, the efforts of all practitioners in the construction industry are integral in supporting the ongoing development of our city.

Some time ago, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) in collaboration with the Development Bureau and Radio Television Hong Kong produced two series of the TV drama “Dreams Come True”, featuring six young people striving for excellence in the construction industry. The second series was broadcast from the end of last year to early this year and showed that the six, after gaining three years of working experience, had become rising stars in their particular professions.

I am very glad to know that the second series of “Dreams Come True” ranked ninth in the 2014 TV Programme Appreciation Index Survey (4th stage) and was the only drama programme in the top 10. Having filmed on actual worksites and obtained CIC mentors’ practical advice for the actors, the production was truly professional and illustrated expertise in the construction industry.

Currently, there are some 300 000 people working in the construction industry, including workers, technicians and professionals. However, the industry still needs more new blood to join in the development of a better Hong Kong. We will continue to promote the growth of the construction industry to offer career development opportunities, and enhance the working environment and culture of the industry. Please let me share with you some of our work in this respect:

Regarding construction output, the CIC estimates that the total amount of public and private works will range from around $170 billion to $240 billion from the current year to 2023-24, providing ample opportunities for the development of the industry.

We will allocate $100 million to the CIC to support the launching of new training programmes in the coming few years to train semi-skilled workers so that they can become skilled workers.

Under the current system, through taking part-time programmes, workers can get working experience while studying related diploma, higher diploma and degree programmes. After attaining qualifications, they can further pursue careers as construction professionals such as becoming engineers or surveyors.

The requirement of “designated workers for designated skills” will be implemented in April 2017 to further enhance the professional status of construction workers, but this is only our first step. We hope that workers can enrich and equip themselves with industry-specific professional knowledge and multiple skills in different areas so that they can open up more development opportunities for themselves, and at the same time create an even more excellent and professional construction workforce for Hong Kong in the long run.

In recent years, some of the skilled trades have been able to offer very competitive salaries. In particular, the remuneration of bar benders and fixers, carpenters (formwork) and welders has increased more than 30 per cent in the past three years.

To enhance working environments, safety and welfare, we have adopted a number of measures. They include the introduction of working guidelines under hot weather for public works, provision of roofed resting places, providing encouragement to contractors to provide afternoon tea breaks for workers, and wider adoption of workers’ lifts to further improve the working environment for workers.

Taking this opportunity, let me quote the lyrics of “Love City” - the winning entry of the lyrics competition for “Build a Better Hong Kong” to encourage young people to join the construction industry: “Please join us in constructing the future by building our city with love and faith”.

For the two series of “Dreams Come True”, please visit the following websites:

The first series:
http://programme.rthk.hk/rthk/tv/programme.php?name=tv/dct2014

The second series:
http://programme.rthk.hk/rthk/tv/programme.php?name=tv/dreamscometrue2014&p=6511