Construction Industry Council - Annual Report 2024

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL 18 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Commitment to Workforce Development We prioritise education and skill development to cultivate a talented workforce. As of December 2024, over 660,000 construction workers were registered, a 4.5% increase from 2023. Our training initiatives successfully achieved an overall enrolment of 14,701 with 18,611 graduates. Notably, our first cohort of the revamped Advanced Diploma Programme saw eight graduates enrol in various universities. I am particularly proud that two of our CIC competitors, CHOW Lok-yin from welding and FONG Chun-yin from joinery, brought home Medallions for Excellence from WorldSkills Lyon 2024 – the first time Hong Kong has achieved this in eight years, inspiring the next generation to pursue trade-oriented careers. Our partnerships with educational institutions in the Greater Bay Area such as South China University of Technology and Guangdong University of Technology facilitated meaningful exchange programmes, enriching our training initiatives and broadening perspectives on industry best practices, including green building waste recycling, smart construction advances, and best ways to adopt latest technologies. To further enhance our appeal to younger generations, we continued our collaboration with DEVB on the “Design for Future, Build for Life” publicity campaign, aiming to dispel stereotypical misconceptions towards the industry and attract fresh talent to our sector. Facilitating Streamlining and Self-Certification for Efficiency In 2023, in representation of industry stakeholders, we proposed a self-certification framework enabling qualified professionals to verify regulatory compliance, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. With DEVB’s support and our ongoing strategic efforts, we fostered collaboration among the government and industry stakeholders to explore 18 self-certification topics, encompassing areas such as foundation works, building materials, drainage and safety inspections, and environmental compliance, while promoting the mindset for successful implementation. Embracing Construction Digitalisation Digitalisation has been pivotal for the CIC and the broader industry. A highlight of this commitment was the CIC Global Construction Digitalisation Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GCDFE). Over 10,000 physical and online visits were recorded, gathering global experts and technology ventures to explore construction digitalisation. The event also included the CIC Construction Digitalisation Award 2024, recognising nearly 30 local projects and organisations for their contribution in the promotion and adoption of digitalisation tools and workflows. The Global Construction Robotic Day displayed more than 20 cutting-edge construction robots and attracted over 8,000 visits. To strengthen ties and explore advancements in technologies and robotics, we conducted over 45 visits to the mainland China, where we engaged with our counterparts on best practices in construction digitalisation, robotics, safety, and sustainable development. In June, we participated in the China International Exposition of Housing Industry & Products and Equipment of Building Industrialization, showcasing innovative technology solutions and products from the Hong Kong construction industry to our mainland peers. I would encourage our industry members to leverage CITF funding for technological investments, which exceeded HK$1.49 billion in approved amounts last year. Whether through rental or purchase, these innovations can significantly enhance our construction practices. The adoption of Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) has gained substantial traction, with Hong Kong’s first residential building utilising this methodology completed off-site. This innovative methodology ensures that components are assembled efficiently, maintaining high-quality standards that justify significant investments.