Promoting Excellence in the Construction Industry through a Diverse and Comprehensive Approach

In the morning of the National Day, CIC colleagues, Hong Kong Construction Institute students and I attended the flag-raising ceremony at the CIC-Zero Carbon Park. The flag-raising ceremony inspires us to strive for the prosperity of our country. It also builds students' confidence and sense of national honour, and strengthens their national identity, making it a meaningful activity.

As a leader in the construction industry, the CIC has always been committed to promoting industry development and raising technical standards. Whether it is the professional development of frontline technical staff or management, the CIC has adopted a diverse and comprehensive approach to encourage excellence in the construction industry.

Hong Kong Construction Industry Team Competed at the WorldSkills Lyon

The WorldSkills Competition 2024 (WorldSkills) was held in Lyon, France, from 11 to 14 September. Hailed as the "Olympics" of vocational skills, this biennial competition was in its 47th session. Worldskills aims to elevate the standards and social standing of skilled professionals. It is also an excellent opportunity for competitors and expert judges to exchange knowledge, making it an important international platform for promoting innovation and enhancing the capabilities of industry practitioners.

The CIC encourages young competitors to take part in WorldSkills for a number of reasons; we hope to use the competition as an opportunity to inspire our young practitioners, boost their motivation to learn and thereby accelerate their improvement and ultimately achieve excellence. In recent years, the Mainland has actively promoted the "competition-driven training" approach to vocational education. By integrating the skills required in the workplace into competition events, it has achieved remarkable results and it is worthy of our emulation. While attaining good results is certainly commendable, the process is equally important. The competitors first went through the selection process via the Hong Kong Construction Industry Skills Competition, and then spent close to a year preparing for the event, including training sessions in Mainland, exchanges with peers, and participation in international competitions. Having witnessed the extraordinary skills of their counterparts, they have redoubled their efforts to practice and polish their techniques. They also explored and delved deeper into their skills in order to compete at their best.

The WorldSkills competition tests far more than just hard skills. Some events last over ten hours, requiring competitors to demonstrate excellent physical stamina, endurance, and concentration to have any chance of winning. The Hong Kong competitors also had to overcome jet lag and compete in an unfamiliar language environment and location, which tested their psychological resilience and ability to adapt on the spot. To succeed in the workplace, the honing of both hard and soft skills is essential.

I witnessed the Hong Kong competitors remain calm in the face of difficulties  during the competition, and they persistently strived for perfecting their work. I saw not only the shining spirit of craftsmanship and the quest for perfection, but also the transformation and growth of young people. They not only brought home awards and glory for themselves, but also enhanced the reputation and image of the construction industry of Hong Kong and our nation. The seven competitors sent by CIC to the 2024 WorldSkills Competitions are CHAN Chun-hei and TSANG Hei-lam (Concrete Construction Work), FONG Chun-yin (Joinery), WU Yun-fan (Painting and Decorating), CHAN Chun-ting (Plumbing and Heating), DAI Ka-chun Stephen (Wall and Floor Tiling), and CHOW Lok-yin (Welding). They achieved the best-ever results for the Hong Kong construction industry, which is truly amazing! The national team also shone brightly at the WorldSkills Competition, winning 36 gold medals and topping the gold medal table.

I sincerely thank all the competitors for giving their full effort and demonstrating the can-do spirit of Hong Kong. As a spectator, I kept on silently cheering on your excellent performances.  I also want to congratulate the two award-winning competitors - FONG Chun-yin and CHOW Lok-yin. Your victories made me proud. I hope that in the future you will continue to try new things and reach even greater heights!

I believe that participating in the WorldSkills competition will be an unforgettable experience for the competitors. I hope that they will always remember this wonderful experience, and maintain their determination and courage in pursuing their dreams, and encourage themselves to persevere in the face of both adversity and success. I look forward to seeing the Hong Kong team achieve even greater success at the 2026 WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai!

Learn From Other Countries at the WorldSkills Vocational Education and Training High-Level Forum

The WorldSkills competition also hosted a high-level forum on education and future talent, bringing together vocational education leaders, academics and industry elites from around the world. My CIC colleagues and I took the opportunity to listen to the insights of experts from different countries. The Secretary for Education, Dr. CHOI Yuk-lin, also spoke at the Forum about Hong Kong's strategies for developing vocational education and training. Dr. CHOI was very supportive and took the time to cheer on the Hong Kong representatives on the spot.

Hong Kong Institute of Construction Used WorldSkills for Promotion to Secondary School Students

The competition is not just about the competitors, but also about the unsung supporters behind them. The mentors and experts who dedicate their time and effort to train the competitors play an indispensable role. Their meticulous guidance and encouragement provide a strong backbone for the competitors.

The Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) is an educational institution under the Construction Industry Council, with the aspiration to become the leading Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) institution in Asia. In response to the national strategy of "invigorating our country through science and education, and strengthening the support of modern construction talents", HKIC works diligently to nurture construction professionals. In recent years, HKIC has been putting great efforts into enhancing training in digitalisation and smart construction. It has conducted a series of master-level training courses on digital technology and smart construction, the Smart Site Safety System (SSSS), and the latest construction robotics. In addition, HKIC has also integrated elements of Building Information Modelling (BIM), Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), Modular Integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP), drones, and robotics technology into a comprehensive curriculum to cultivate highly skilled talents needed by the construction industry. HKIC also charts a clear pathway for students to pursue further studies. This year, eight graduates have successfully connected to bachelor's degree programs at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, University College of Estate Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University and City University of Hong Kong to continue their studies.

HKIC had also set up a cheering area before the competition, where teachers and students could give their blessings and wish the competitors good results. HKIC had also organised talks and hands-on workshops in various secondary schools, as well as simulated competitions at the campuses, where mentors taught skills to secondary school students, and past WorldSkills competitors shared their unforgettable experiences. These activities not only helped secondary school students understand the trades involved in the WorldSkills competition but also enabled them to appreciate the benefits of the HKIC programs, facilitating student recruitment and attracting new talent to the industry.

The Future Construction Excellence Programme Commenced Last Month

The CIC's inaugural "Future Construction Excellence Programme" is a truly world-class programme. The programme offers an immersive learning experience divided into three parts. Participants will attend classes and international conferences in the UK, Shenzhen, and locally. They will visit university research institutes, world-class architecture firms, cutting-edge technology firms, green companies, factories producing components with advanced technologies, and construction sites using the latest techniques. The first part of the program, held in the UK, just commenced at the end of last month, and I was also able to participate. Having the opportunity to engage in in-depth technical dialogues with internationally renowned experts from diverse fields will undoubtedly broaden the participants' horizons and pave the way for a new chapter in Hong Kong's construction industry.

During the program, we discussed strategies for modern construction methods with Dale SINCLAIR, Director of WSP.  Mark FARMER, CEO of Cast Consultancy, shared his views on how the UK construction industry is embracing modern building techniques. Professor David GANN, Chairman of UK Industrial Fusion Solutions, explained how leaders should guide their companies through uncertain environments, which broadened our perspectives and provided us with valuable insights. I believe that all participants, like me, are eagerly looking forward to the part of the program in the Greater Bay Area in October, where we can see the country's achievements in smart construction.

The CIC hopes that the programme will bring international perspectives and cutting-edge technology to the industry. Moreover, it can also develop future leaders with cross-cultural communication skills, in-depth understanding of global, regional, and local market trends, and a broad network. This will enable them to drive upgrading and transformation of their companies, foster an excellent corporate culture, develop comprehensive strategies, and gain inspiration for long-term business development and large-scale project management.

Applications Are Open for the Master Class on Design for Safety

Design for Safety in construction refers to identifying safety hazards through comprehensive design before construction begins, implementing risk management at the source, and preventing injuries to frontline workers and reducing health and safety risks. The CIC will launch a 'Master Class on Design for Safety' this month, which is catered for two types of personnels: one for management and the other for general construction personnel. This programme is suitable for individuals from various trades, and registration is now open.

The 2024 CIC Global Construction Digitalisation Forum and Exhibition Will Take Place in Late Oct

Co-organised by the Development Bureau and the CIC for the Construction Industry, the "CIC Global Construction Digitalization Forum and Exhibition 2024" (GCDFE) aims to promote digital transformation and innovation in the construction industry. It will be held on 29 and 30 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event will feature a series of seminars and exhibitions with four themed zones: Smart Site Safety System, robotics, digital platforms, and research and innovation, showcasing the latest technologies and solutions. Industry professionals and those interested in joining the construction industry are welcome to participate. Please encourage more colleagues and friends to join!

The CIC will certainly continue to support industry practitioners in exploring the future, so that you can excel and lead the construction industry of Hong Kong forward!