To support the Government’s upcoming infrastructural development, the construction industry needs a sufficient supply of manpower. As such, the Development Bureau (DEVB) continues to adopt a multi-pronged strategy and work closely with the Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the industry to enhance the “quality” and “quantity” of local workers’ training. This time, I have invited colleagues from the DEVB and the CIC’s Executive Director, Mr CHENG Ting-ning, to share with us the Government’s efforts in enhancing local training, and tell us about the “Multi-skilled” Training Programme launched by the CIC recently in collaboration with trade unions. Trade unions representatives and training programme graduates will also share their views on the prospects and appeal of the industry.

Enhancing training quality and increasing training places : an all-round approach to look for local talents

Mr CHAN King-tak, Chief Assistant Secretary (Works) of the DEVB, says that in terms of training quality, the Government has incorporated elements of safety training and innovative technologies, including the use and application of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), into the training programme. At the same time, the Government has enhanced promotion to encourage wider adoption of new technologies in the industry to boost productivity. With regard to manpower supply, the Government will continue to adopt an all-round approach to attract more new entrants and job changers to join the industry. In 2022, the Government allocated $1 billion funding to support the CIC’s training programmes, with collaborative training schemes being particularly important.

CIC, contractors and trade unions joining hands to provide collaborative training schemes covering more than 50 trades

Mr CHENG Ting-ning, CIC’s Executive Director, tells us that the CIC currently has two collaborative training schemes, one of which is the “First-Hire-Then-Train” Scheme launched in collaboration with contractors. Trainees will first be employed by contractors to work on their sites and receive training jointly provided by the CIC and the contractors. On completion of training, arrangements will be made for trainees to take trade tests, those who pass will qualify as registered semi-skilled workers or skilled workers. The other scheme is the Skills Enhancement Course launched in collaboration with training organisations including trade unions to train up existing workers to become semi-skilled or skilled workers. Mr CHENG remarks that both collaborative training schemes, covering more than 50 trades collectively, provide training allowances and graduation bonuses to trainees.

Bright prospects of construction industry attracting new entrants and job changers

Mr KWOK Kin-kau, a graduate of the CIC’s Intermediate Tradesman Collaborative Training Scheme, shares with us his career change experience. He was a restaurant manager before and it was the epidemic that gave him the idea to change career. Having learnt the manpower demand and prospects of the construction industry, he enrolled in construction courses with the target of becoming a bar bender and fixer. He says that on top of not having to pay tuition fees, trainees also receive training allowances. With the working experience and professional skills gained during the on-the-job site training, he passed the trade test and became a registered semi-skilled worker after graduation.

The Chairperson of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Registered Specialist Trade Union Federation (HKCIRSTUF), Mr CHOW Luen-kiu, says that the anticipated future upsurge in construction volume will create a large number of jobs, particularly in the construction industry. As the construction industry becomes more professional, many trades such as bricklaying, plumbing and electrical wiring have attracted quite a number of newcomers.

The Chairperson of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Employees General Union (HKCIEGU), Mr WONG Ping, says that the construction industry is being driven by various large-scale infrastructural projects and has continued to thrive, creating plenty of development opportunities in the industry. Moreover, as the environment of construction sites has significantly improved, the industry has attracted more young people and job changers. He also says that the Skills Enhancement Courses for in-service construction workers jointly organised by trade unions and the CIC, as well as the industry’s joint efforts in improving the working environment and upgrading the skills of workers can attract more young people to enrol in the course .

More than 15 000 training places in 2023/24 academic year – far exceeding target

Mr CHENG Ting-ning remarks that the CIC has joined hands with partner training organisations to strengthen training by increasing its training quota for skilled workers from 6 000 places in 2021/22 academic year to at least 12 000 places in each of the academic year from 2023/24 to 2027/28, doubling the target quota in two years. In fact, a total of 15 700 places have been provided in 2023/24 academic year, far exceeding the target. In addition, the innovative elements incorporated into the courses will allow young people to give full play to their creativity.

CIC and trade unions to launch “Multi-skilled” Training Programme for more flexible manpower deployment

As regards training quality, Mr CHAN King-tak says that they recognise the importance of upskilling in-service construction workers to the future development of the industry. After consulting the construction industry and the workers, the DEVB has collaborated with the CIC and trade unions to launch the “Multi-Skilled” Training Programme. Mr FUNG Chun-kong, Assistant Secretary (Policy and Development) of the DEVB, says that the programme can assist workers in upgrading their skills. Through the programme, they can also learn another trade, which can increase job opportunities and enhance flexibility in manpower deployment, easing the manpower demand in the industry.

The CIC will subsidise 70% of the tuition fee of the “Multi-Skilled” Training Programme, the total number of hours of which is 50 hours. As the majority of the trainees is expected to be in-service workers, training organisations can arrange to conduct training on weekdays, holidays, or evenings taking into account trainees’ needs, giving them greater flexibility. The CIC launched the pilot programme in the first quarter of this year, starting with the electrical and mechanical (E&M) trades such as electrical wiring and plumbing, providing about 150 training places. A total of 400 places will be provided in the year.

The Chairperson of the Federation of Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Industries Trade Unions (FHKEMITU), Mr CHEUNG Wing-ho, says that the CIC’s “Multi-skilled” Training Programme has the full support of the electrical and mechanical (E&M) trade. Since its launch, the programme has been very popular receiving many enquiries and high enrolment, with plumbing the most popular. He also says that the “Multi-skilled” Training Programme allows workers to train for other trades, so that they have the flexibility to take up various job opportunities. For example, an electrical wireman can train for skills in pipe installation to qualify as a plumber.

Widely promoting development opportunities and professional image of construction industry

Mr FUNG Chun-kong tells us that the DEVB has long-term promotion planning for young people to understand more about the construction industry. The work includes collaboration with employers and professional bodies to conduct a large-scale publicity campaign through mass media and social media to promote the professional image and prospects of the industry. Last year, the DEVB conducted 12 sessions of “Master Talk” seminars and site visits for primary and secondary school students. This year, the DEVB will produce television programmes and promotion videos with the general public as target audience; participate in community activities with the industry and non-government organisations; launch an educational STEAM platform to promote the development opportunities and professional image of the construction industry, and its relevance to life to all primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong.