Construction Industry Council - Annual Report 2024

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL 116 OPERATIONAL REVIEW Way Forward While HKIC would continue to develop new programmes to address industry needs, upon the successful application of PAA, it plans to revamp annually 10 to 15 existing programmes to meet the requirements of QF. Separately, HKIC would conduct a pilot project with QFS to explore feasible solutions for establishing Vocational Qualifications Pathways (VQP) under the Qualifications Framework (QF) for the construction industry. The Construction Industry Council Approved Technical Talents Training Programmes HKIC started to launch the Construction Industry Council Approved Technical Talents Training Programmes (CICATP) in 2019. CICATP articulated with the Part-time programmes of Professional Diploma in Construction for Specialist Trades and Diploma in Construction in Academic Year 2022/23. CICATP fosters HKIC’s graduates to become knowledge-based skilled technical personnels through a comprehensive solution integrating on-the-job training, trade skills enhancement and assessment, and soft skills, safety training as well as technology and innovation education. To train more new blood and upskill the graduates’ technical standard, HKIC obtained the great support and funding from the Government and provided 620 training places per year under CICATP since Academic Year 2022/23. The number of trades covered in the scheme was 26, covering all trades under the Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme (ECMTS) for nurturing skilled workers. It is expected that through the CICATP, more talents can be trained up with both skills and qualifications to meet the manpower demands of the construction industry. To better prepare for the PAA, HKIC has introduced an “Internal Programme Area Assessment” (IPAA) mechanism to conduct a self-evaluation. Reference was made to the accreditation standards of PAA conducted by HKCAAVQ. The IPAA panel was composed of professionals outside of HKIC to provide objective and independent opinions. The panel meeting was held in November 2024 and concluded that HKIC was able to demonstrate the staff expertise, resources and QA mechanisms are commensurate with the scope of the PAA to be applied. A total of six recommendations were proposed to help HKIC strive for excellence and continuously improve its quality and service. Programme Development and Revamp HKIC is committed to developing new programmes and revamping current ones to cater for industry development and manpower needs. With the rapid transformation and digitalisation of the industry, HKIC has developed new technology-related programmes in 2024, such as Professional Certificate in Robotic Welding Application, BIM Basic Course in Rebar Bending & Fabrication – Tekla Structure, and Master Class on AI for Construction (including LLM). Construction safety remains the top priority for the industry. In addition to the various safety- related programmes currently being offered, HKIC developed a new Safety Training Revalidation Course for Construction Workers of Specified Trade – Concretor in 2024. HKIC has also revamped seven of its current programmes to meet the requirements of QF. Trainings on Quality Assurance and Qualification Framework HKIC arranges various QA and QF related training for its staff from time to time. In 2024, a total of 29 relevant training activities has been arranged for more than 1,000 participants. Relevant training topics included: “outcomes-based” curriculum design, assessment design and grading, QA mechanism of HKIC, HKQF (conducted by representatives from Qualifications Framework Secretariat (QFS)), and PAA (conducted by representatives from HKCAAVQ), etc.