Agile and Resilient: Embracing New Beginnings and Ditching Bad Habits

As winter turns to spring, the Lunar New Year of Snake arrives. The vibrant and enthusiastic melodies of the 'Golden Snake Dance' echo through our streets and alleys. In this Year of the Snake, hearing this festive folk melody particularly heightens the holiday spirit.

In both Eastern and Western traditional cultures, snakes carry multiple symbolic meanings, both auspicious and ominous. As the saying goes, "Fortune and misfortune coexist, good and evil are intertwined; it all depends on human actions, more thoughts should be put on what we should do”. I believe our goal this year should be utilising our experiences, overcoming challenges, and transformation. I would like to share my reflections on the symbolism of snakes and how it relates to self-improvement of construction professionals and industry development.

Exercise Regularly to Enhance Agility and Endurance

The one-and-a-half-month 'Construction Industry Happy Run 2025' concluded successfully last month, with both the virtual run and physical run attracting enthusiastic participation. The virtual run champion achieved an impressive record of over 875 kilometers, while three runners completed check-ins at all 140 distinctive landmarks across Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, and the New Territories, demonstrating remarkable determination and endurance. The physical run was well received, attracting over 1,300 participants from nearly 60 industry organisations which includes members of supporting organisations  and their family members. I also participated in the race with the bib number 7001 and completed the race in 30 minutes. My time was 4 seconds faster than last year and I felt a profound sense of achievement when crossing the finish line. The Parent-and-Child Race participants enjoyed quality family time both on the track and at the game booths.

There are many benefits of developing the habit of regular exercise, including improved physical fitness, increased agility, relief from work stress, improved mental acuity, and opportunities to meet like-minded friends. At the beginning of the year, spring is the perfect time to plan our exercise schedules!

Nurture Young Talents and Let Them Shine on the World Stage

The WorldSkills Competition is a global event where young people compete in skills, providing a platform for outstanding competitors worldwide to exchange technical knowledge and expertise. This mega event cultivates the spirit of self-improvement and craftsmanship in young people. Registration for the WorldSkills Hong Kong 2025 Competition is now open. The CIC will provide special training for outstanding performers, assign dedicated mentors, and arrange joint training sessions in Mainland China. Selected participants may have the opportunity to represent Hong Kong at the WorldSkills Competition 2026 in Shanghai, showcasing their capabilities on the international stage.

In ancient Chinese culture, snake patterns symbolised the continuation of generations. A group of Graduate Trainees who joined the CIC in 2023 recently completed their training program. From the stories they told at the CIC Annual Dinner, I am confident that our colleagues wholeheartedly imparted their knowledge to nurture the growth of these young people during the 18-month training. For the continuation of our construction industry, we must proactively support the next generation, pass on exceptional skills, attract talent and improve the overall situation of the industry.

Leverage Technology to Ensure Worker Safety

The "CEO Safety Forum 2025" held last month brought together industry leaders and experts for in-depth discussions on enhancing safety culture at construction sites. The CIC invited Mr. James LAM, Executive Director of Chinney Kin Wing Holdings Limited, to share his experience in risk assessment, training, and implementation of safety monitoring measures on construction sites. Mr. HO Wai-man, Associate Director of CLPP HSEQ at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, detailed the Serious Injuries and Fatalities (SIF) prevention framework and workplace assessment methods guideline.

CLP Power has been using drone technology to inspect power plants and outdoor power supply facilities for several years, and the benefits include accelerating patrolling efficiency and expanding inspection coverage for easier analysis of facility usage status. It facilitates maintenance and repair in time.  Equipped with different types of lenses and sensors, drones could have a wide range of applications. They can be used to monitor the temperature of solar panels and explore spots at height or narrow space, enabling a full inspection. Project staff can access more facility data and information through live video feeds, thereby reducing potential risks in high-risk areas. The innovative use of technology to solve problems and provide better solutions mirrors the agility and intelligence of snakes.

Change Bad Habits to Smart and Safe Practices

The list of winners for the "CIC Outstanding Contractor Award 2024" has been announced. The CIC invited contractors with outstanding safety performance to a seminar to share their experiences. Mr. Tommy PONG, Director of Cheung Hing Construction Company Limited, shared that he conducts surprise site inspections, even on weekends and holidays, to immediately stop unsafe practices and ensure instanct corrections. Mr. Willy TAO, Director of Zhong Shan Engineering Company Limited, explained several newly developed technologies, such as the application of ground chain technology and Wideband-IoT in smart cities. In the Year of Snake, everyone should abandon the bad habit of neglecting safety and make every effort to learn new knowledge and technologies.

Work Happily, Return Home Safely for Family Reunion

The CIC organised the "Safety Reunion - Construction Industry Poster Design Competition" to raise public awareness of construction site safety and received a large number of impressive entries. The competition provided categories for Parent-Child Group, Primary School Group, Secondary School Group, and Open Group, attracting hundreds of submissions. The entries ranged from children's drawings to sophisticated artwork, all reflecting the importance of "Work Safety and Family Reunion." The competition has deepened public understanding of the construction industry while showing support for construction workers.

The snake's ability to shed its skin symbolises longevity and immortality. The logo of the World Health Organization features the Rod of Asclepius, a design inspired by Greek mythology's Asclepius, the god of medicine. Good design tells compelling stories. I believe these creative artworks can effectively convey safety messages, fostering a culture of safety within families and communities while ultimately transforming mindsets and behaviors.

Be Resilient: Stay Well Informed About the Construction Talent Market

Last month, the CIC organised a multi-day "Construction Industry Joint Recruitment Fair" which was supported by multiple contractors. On-site interviews were arranged for various positions, and job seekers were not required to make appointments. The event aimed to streamline the recruitment and job-seeking process, reducing costs and time for both employers and workers, enabling workers to find their desired positions faster, and ensuring that employers have sufficient human resources to successfully complete their projects. The CIC will launch more initiatives this year to help job seekers find good opportunities and allow employers to flexibly deploy their manpower.

The CIC's mobile application "CIC APP", which features an easy-to-navigate and user-friendly interface, is compatible with smartphones and tablets. Users can access industry job postings and safety alerts anytime, anywhere. The app also facilitates worker registration service and provides special weather alerts to help workers prepare for adverse weather conditions. The app's "Job Search" function is more tailored to the needs of industry professionals compared to other online job platforms. Job seekers can filter positions by trade, salary, and location, with detailed job descriptions readily available at their fingertips, allowing users to flexibly meet different needs.

Recent biological studies indicate that snakes in Hong Kong do not hibernate under the subtropical climate. During winter, they are simply less active, yet they continue to forage and drink. Finding vitality in winter depends on accurate, reliable, and insightful intelligence, plus a good understanding of market trends with business acumen. The adaptability, intelligence, and resilience of snakes offer valuable lessons to me, reminding construction professionals to remain flexible, seize opportunities, and persevere. I hope our industry practitioners can be inspired as well. I wish everyone a prosperous and peaceful Year of the Snake, filled with success in all endeavors!