Construction Industry Council - Annual Report 2024

ANNUAL REPORT 2024 133 OPERATIONAL REVIEW The Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme The CIC established the Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Scheme (RSTCS) under the authority of the Construction Industry Council Ordinance. This initiative is specifically designed to regulate the performance of subcontractors in the industry and promote their professional development. Since the RSTCS was established, it has been widely recognised and supported by the industry. Contract terms mandating the engagement of registered companies by main contractors have been enforced in public works projects, gradually extending to other major quasi-public and private sector construction projects. As of December 2024, there were a total of 7,143 registered companies, including 2,638 Registered Specialist Trade Contractors of 20 designated trades and 4,505 Registered Subcontractors under general civil, building, and electrical and mechanical trades. Industry Support and Professional Enhancement Through the six core registration elements advocated by the RSTCS: safety, management, finance, job experiences, execution, and integrity management, the level of corporate governance of registered companies is ensured from multiple aspects. Through collaboration and effective communication with various industry associations, the RSTCS has secured approval for the addition of seven designated trades this year, namely Painting, Metal Work, Structural Steelwork, Horticultural Works, Arboricultural Works, Skyrise Greenery Works and Truss-out Scaffolding, increasing the designated trades from 14 to 21. Additionally, the CIC continues to collaborate with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and relevant departments to promote a series of webinars on integrity management and safe practice through RSTCS’s extensive platform, strengthening the integrity management and safety culture of the key management and technical personnel of registered companies, and encouraging their professional development for continuously enhancing both quality and efficiency of corporate governance. RSTCS has been extended and 21 designated trades are now applicable Utilising Technology and Moves with the Times Registered companies under the RSTCS are committed to applying innovative technologies specific to their specialist trades in conjunction with the management and operation of professional technicians, to enhance construction quality, efficiency and safety. This year’s RSTCS Leadership Summit, themed Set Sail with New Technologies, featured leaders from registered specialist trade contractors and trade associations sharing their practical experiences in applying automated equipment and robotics. Representatives from the Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association, the Hong Kong Center for Construction Robotics, and the Registered Specialist Trade Contractors Federation shared insights on collaborative interactions to optimise the automated rebar bending machine in connection with local trade characteristics, as well as the challenges faced and the outcomes of applied research. Representatives from the Hong Kong Painting Contractors Association and Guangdong Bright Dream Robotics Co., Ltd. shared their practical experiences in implementing painting robotics and presented data analysis demonstrating the positive initial outcomes of robot applications. Representative from the Hong Kong Metal Engineering Contracting Association introduced the use of welding robots in construction, exploring the future directions for deepening the application of artificial intelligence and catering for new high strength structural steel construction.