Every trade has its masters

Hong Kong could not have become a world city without its construction industry. In the next few years, a number of major infrastructure projects will commence, bringing our annual capital expenditure to over $70 billion. In addition, tens of thousands of housing units will be built. The construction industry needs many more workers to cope with the demand.

As the general impression of the construction industry is that it consists of low-end jobs and its workers are exposed to unfavourable weather conditions, most young people are reluctant to join the industry. Yesterday when I visited the Kowloon Bay Training Centre of the Construction Industry Council (CIC), I was pleased to see so many young trainees who felt positive about the industry's prospects and showed great interest in construction work.

The Kowloon Bay Training Centre offers training courses in various trades, both for in-service personnel and new entrants to the construction industry. I visited the workshops of a few trades including bricklaying, plastering and tiling, carpentry and joinery, painting, decorating and sign writing, and plumbing and pipe-fitting. I also chatted with trainees to learn about their backgrounds and their courses. The stories of two trainees in particular are worth sharing.

Mr Leung visits a painting, decorating and sign writing workshop, and learns to paint under the guidance of a trainee.		Mr Leung visits a carpentry and joinery workshop and chats with trainees to learn about their course.

Chan and Yuen

Mr Chan Chun-kit enrolled on the CIC's plumbing and pipe-fitting course after finishing junior secondary school. After years of hard work he won the Hong Kong Youth Skills Competition in 2008 and represented Hong Kong at the WorldSkills Competition, sometimes called the "Skill Olympics", held in Canada the following year. This not only broadened his horizons, but also ignited his enthusiasm for the construction industry. Back in Hong Kong, he decided to pursue a career in the industry. He completed a diploma course in building construction supervision, and then joined a local contractor as assistant supervisor.

Another trainee, Mr Yuen Siu-cheung, also possesses outstanding skills. Like Mr Chan, his senior, he will represent Hong Kong at the WorldSkills Competition to be held in Germany in July this year to compete with other plumbers from around the world.

Mr Chan Chun-kit (left), a CIC training course graduate, tells Mr Leung (right) about his experience of joining the construction industry. Mr Chan said that once you got used to the working conditions, you could build a bright and promising career in the industry.		Mr Leung chats with Mr Yuen Siu-cheung (centre), Hong Kong's representative at the WorldSkills Competition to be held in Germany this July, about his preparations for the competition. As Yuen's senior, Mr Chan Chun-kit (right) also shared his experience in representing Hong Kong at the WorldSkills Competition in 2009.

In the past, the construction industry followed an apprenticeship system. Today, it emphasises training and professional qualifications. Offering clear progression pathways, it is now a promising and dynamic industry.

In anticipation of a shortage of construction manpower as major projects come on stream, the HKSAR Government and CIC have launched various schemes to inject new blood into the industry.

One major scheme is the Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme. Under the Scheme, trainees receive a monthly training allowance of about $8,000, and companies participating in the Scheme pledge to employ the graduates at a monthly wage of no less than $10,000 for the first six months and no less than $15,000 afterwards.

In addition, the CIC has also launched the Build Up Training Programme, which attracts new entrants by enhancing the image of the construction industry and providing them with a ladder for progression by attending CIC training courses. Apart from upgrading their skills through training, workers may also enroll on courses leading to higher qualifications and become construction supervisors or technicians, or start their own businesses as subcontractors.

I hope that young people can grasp these opportunities to join the construction industry, and build a better future for themselves and for Hong Kong, our home.

Video of the Chief Executive's visit to the Kowloon Bay Training Centre of the CIC

May 21, 2013