Strong Support from the Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association Gives the Midas Touch to Young Craftsmen

“The Midas Touch” describes someone capable of making a silk purse out of a sow's ear. In the construction industry, bar-bending provides opportunities for the Midas Touch too. Working as a bar bender and fixer can earn an ideal income for anyone willing to work hard. Also, the next decade will be the golden era for the construction industry in Hong Kong and it is the best time to join the industry. Ir HO On-sing, Thomas, Chairman of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), together with Mr. CHAN Lok-chai and Mr. TSANG Ting-fat, Honourary Chairmen of Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association (BBCA), Mr. WONG Siu-ming, Chairman of BBCA and more than 60 representatives from BBCA attended the Graduates Sharing Session for the first batch of graduates of the Diploma in Construction (Bar Bending & Fixing) course. The course was sponsored by the Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association. Students and parents who have enrolled in the upcoming course, trainers and programme supervisors also joined the sharing session to share the joy of the graduates.

Role Model for the Industry

Ir Thomas HO mentioned that the government will continue to invest in infrastructure and launch large scale projects and new plans every year. The total construction output is expected to increase to HK$300 billion. This leads to an increase in demand for knowledge-based skilled technical personnel. The CIC is delighted that the Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association sponsored the programme and that students will be able to receive allowance and sponsorship of a total of HKD7,200 monthly. After graduating from the programme, monthly salary of a bar bender and fixer can reach HKD30,000. The Hong Kong Bar-Bending Contractors Association has set an example for other trade associations as it helps to attract more young people to join the construction industry.

Curriculum Reform Nurtures Knowledge-based Skilled Bar Bender and Fixer

The CIC and the Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) are committed to nurturing professional talents for the industry and continuously reform the curriculum. The curriculum reform introduced various innovative construction technology knowhow to the programme. Topics include Building Information Modelling (BIM), Internet of Things (IoT) and automatic bar-bender and fixer. By raising students’ interest in the subject matter, it also nurtures their technological competencies, which would come in handy when they help build our smart city in the future. The programme is certified by the qualification framework and provides a pathway for progression. Apart from the professional diploma provided by the Institute, the first batch graduates can choose to further their education to undergraduate programmes. This also builds a foundation for students for their promotion to project manager and project supervisor in the future. Mr. CHAN Lok Chai encouraged graduates that bar-bending industry is a profession that requires solid knowledge and theory foundation. He looked forward to seeing graduates become bar-bender and fixer with bachelor degree and contribute to the industry.

Chairman: Be Courageous in Innovating and Raise Questions

Chairman Thomas HO encouraged students to be bold to be innovative. He shared that he joined an engineering company as an intern after he graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic (currently The Hong Kong Polytechnic University). He continued his self-learning and learnt bar-bending from master craftsmen. His attitude soon gained him appreciation from his supervisor and promoted him to be the site manager. Ir Thomas HO also shared his experience from the Lung Hang Estate project and his success in adopting tower crane technology in his first trial. He encouraged students that their courage to ask questions will help build a bright future for them.

BBCA: Be Hardworking, Humble and Willing to Contribute

Mr. CHAN Lok-chai said the students were lucky as they are offered job opportunities at BBCA’s member companies right after graduation. He has high expectation of the students and trust that they can work hard to build themselves a bright future. Bar-bending and fixing jobs require more professional and industry-specific knowledge then other trades. Bar bender and fixer need to comparmentalise architectural drawings prepared by engineers and realise the drawing step by step like building breaks. Numerous opportunities for development are present in the bar bending and fixing trade. Being a knowledge-based management personnel, they need to understand basic bar bending techniques. Being hardworking, humble and willing to contribute are the key to success.

Learn and Grow Together

Technical Instructor Mr. TSANG Chun-wah, and graduates Mr. TONG Ho-wai and Mr LEUNG Wai-hung, also shared their reflections from the course. Mr. TONG wished to learn professional skills after graduating from secondary school so he enrolled to this free programme offered by HKIC. He is also attracted by the allowance provided to students. Mr. Leung is willing to take harsh jobs and hoped to learn a professional skill while he is still young. He find the salary of bar bender and fixer attractive so he enrolled to the programme. Both of them agreed that the knowledge of latest technologies such as BIM earned during the course can equip themselves for their continuous education and career. Instructor Mr. TSANG said he also learnt together with the students. Apart from bar bending skills, students also received whole-person development training such as volunteering services and sports training. This helped students better understand themselves, equip them with problem solving skills and unleash their potential. He also encouraged the students to be “persistent and patient”.

The CIC looks forward to graduates’ good performance. Apart from continuing their education, they are also welcomed to visit HKIC to share experiences with young students, pass on their craftsmanship and drive the development of the construction industry.