Building Hong Kong: Young Talents Realising Their Dreams Through Action

This year marks the 27th year since Hong Kong's return to the Motherland and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, young people have the perfect time and place to explore new horizons. Mr. XIA Bao-long, Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said, "Hong Kong is a place for young people to start businesses and achieve their dreams." I agree with him wholeheartedly. With the commencement of multiple major infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, along with the support of innovation, technology, and re-industrialisation policies, the local construction industry is entering a golden era, with vast room for career development. Moreover, the highly efficient and comprehensive supply chain in the Greater Bay Area serves as our strong backing. The promotional video slogan "We Build the Future Here!" of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction, a member organisation of CIC, exemplifies that Hong Kong is the best place for young people to establish themselves and build their careers.

Recruitment for Advanced Diploma Programmes at the Hong Kong Institute of Construction

The Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) is committed to nurturing quality practitioners to inject new blood into the industry and cultivate the talents needed for the present and future. HKIC's programmes are practical and industry-focused, with comprehensive teaching facilities equipped with the latest building technology simulation systems: Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), Building Information Modelling (BIM), and Digital Works Supervision System (DWSS), etc. All of HKIC’s one-year and two-year full-time programmes are accredited by the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework at levels 2 to 4, which are in line with the Hong Kong education system. They are also recognised by various professional bodies and organisations.

HKIC’s education goes beyond the technical aspects, it also emphasises the spirit of craftsmanship. It frequently invites national level and local masters to dialogue with the students, through activities such as " Sharing Sessions on Craftsmen of the Nation" and "CIC Fellows Sharing Sessions", which allow the students to interact with the masters face-to-face and to develop an attitude of striving for perfection and respect for the profession. At the last sharing session, Mr. LU Jian-xin, Chief Steel Structure Engineer of China State Construction Engineering Corporation, shared his experience. Our nation's top craftsman encouraged students to be bold when facing difficulties and challenges at work. His dedication and meticulous attitude are worth learning from.

The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam results will be announced in the mid-July. HKIC held a Programme Information Day in June and invited popular idol - George from P1X3L to introduce the programmes to the new graduates. HKIC also shows naked-eye 3D promotional videos at popular hangouts of young people. This is an innovative way to encourage enrolment, and the information should provide them with an ideal option for their further studies!

Arouse Students’ Learning Motivations and Perseverance Through Competitions

This year, the CIC has organised the 6th "CIC BIM Competition'' to promote BIM among tertiary students. The competition rules and theme have been carefully designed. Participating teams must include students from at least two architecture-related disciplines to facilitate peer learning through the application of BIM in real-life situations. The competition is designed to accelerate student learning through team collaboration and inter-team competition. The competition closely mirrors inter-disciplinary collaboration scenarios in the workplace.  This not only gives students a chance to show their talents, but also allows young people's imaginations and aspirations for future learning to be presented to the public.

The WorldSkills Competition will take place in Lyon, France in September. Participants will be able to network with representatives from around the world, learn about the latest trends in the construction industry, broaden their international perspective, and gain valuable experience that will help their career development. HKIC's students achieved remarkable results last year and I am immensely proud of the seven construction stars who will shine on the stage this year. Let's cheer them on!

"Multi-Skilled Development" Special Class Encourages Craftsmen to Expand Their Expertise

In addition to providing systematic training for young people to become well-rounded master craftsmen in the future, the CIC has  addressed the needs of existing practitioners. The "Multi-Skilled Development" Special Class is launched to help practitioners acquire diverse skills and enhance their competitiveness.

The Development Bureau and the ClC jointly introduced the "Multi-Skilled Development " Special Class earlier this year to assist workers in expanding their skills. The programme encourages registered semi-skilled or skilled workers to undergo training in another trade and obtain the relevant intermediate-level qualifications, thereby enhancing their employment opportunities and participation in construction work. The CIC subsidises 70% of the tuition fees to attract craftsmen to enrol and explore new job opportunities.

This pilot scheme provides 400 training places in total this year. 150 training places will be provided in the first phase for the electrical and mechanical work trades. The second phase provides 250 training places for trades other than electrical and mechanical work trades. The programme has received quite a number of workers enquiring about and signing up for the courses.

Co-creating a Sustainable Future - Hong Kong's Achievements in Green Building

The construction industry is actively shaping a greener future for the younger generation to change the traditional image of the industry. Recently, the CIC co-hosted the World Sustainable Built Environment Conference, which brought together global experts in building science and policy, government officials and academics to discuss topics such as net-zero carbon emissions in the built environment worldwide and Hong Kong, decarbonisation measures and carbon neutrality, green finance and green building certification, innovation and environmental partnerships, and the challenges and assessment of sustainable cities.  Accompanying the event was the launch of the "Hong Kong Report on Sustainable Built Environment", which consolidates government policies, interviews with local experts, industry insights and showcases of green building projects. This publication provides good guidance to the industry on the future direction of Hong Kong's future sustainable development.

"CEO Safety Forum 2024" - Fostering a Culture of Construction Safety

The industry is currently facing a shortage of manpower and an strong urge to improve safety culture, leading to recurring occupational safety issues. There is an urgent need for the industry to work together to address these challenges and change the image of the industry to attract new blood. Last month, the CIC's "CEO Safety Forum 2024" was successfully held, with more than 3,600 industry participants registering for the live online broadcast. Representatives from government departments, property owners, professional associations, and frontline workers all shared their practical suggestions.

Mr. KUOK Hoi-sang, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevalier International Holdings, shared that stakeholders at all levels must fulfill their responsibilities, lead by example, and proactively adopt safety measures. Mr. Danny HUNG, Executive Director and Vice President of China State Construction International, suggested the use of innovative technologies and adoption of smart site safety systems to improve site safety, efficiency, and management. Other participants pointed out that safety requirements in contracts should not become mere formalities and there should be zero tolerance for unsafe behaviour. In addition, companies should compete on quality rather than price.

I called on the management of the industry to become solid safety leaders and convey the message of attaching importance to safety to people directly at all levels. I have also stressed the need for management to visit the site in person, as the leader behaviour to prioritise safety determine the safety culture at the site.

The CIC regularly organises the "CIC Talents Development Excellence Talk", inviting guests to share their success formulas to inspire employees to strive for excellence and build high-performing teams. Last month, the CIC invited Mr. Macro Fu, a world-class professional snooker player, to share his career journey. He suggested, "Proactively find ways to improve yourself, learn from those who are better than you, and strive to reach their level." This quote echoes the spirit of craftsmanship that is renowned in the industry. He has dedicated over 20 years of relentless effort and perseverance  to transform himself from the "Magical Kid" to a snooker master, despite the occasional injury.  Isn't he a good example for our young people?

I recently met the graduate trainees at the CIC office. They are eager to try new things and bring new vitality to the CIC. I hope that in the near future, we will see more young men and women at construction sites and in construction companies. Let’s support them build their careers and pursue their dreams in our industry!