Optimising Upskilling and Digitalisation to Advance the Construction Sector

Among the key performance indicators (KPIs) for advancing the construction industry as outlined in the 2023 Policy Address are: the launch of the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme with a 2024/25 admission cohort to alleviate manpower shortage in skilled trades; as well as support for some 400 enterprises through the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) within 2024.

To support these efforts, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) will utilise its resources and Government’s funding to increase the training quotas provided by Hong Kong Institute of Construction—from 10,000 places in the 2022/23 academic year to at least about 12,000 places for subsequent academic years till 2027/28. Besides, the council’s continued collaboration with the Development Bureau in leading the Design for Future, Build for Life mega campaign is aimed at enhancing public understanding of the industry’s prospects.

The Chief Executive has called for the trial adoption of smart estate management featuring Internet of Things sensors; alongside full adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) for private developments, to be led by organisations such as Hong Kong Housing Society, Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and MTRCL from the second quarter of next year—all of which are welcomed by CIC as a demonstration of the industry’s wide adoption of innovative technologies. To this end, the council has been committed to developing CIC BIM standards; CIC Digital Twin Hub; and organising courses together with competitions to speed up digitalisation.

Other initiatives proposed during the annual address strive to deliver about 3,370 hectares of newly formed land in the coming 10 years (2024/25 to 2033/34), comprising no less than 1,400 hectares in the Northern Metropolis and approximately 400 hectares in the Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands. —Construction+ Online

Read:

• Policy Address Proposals from HKIE Focus on Manpower and Housing Needs
• Construction Expenditure Forecast from 2022 to 2032
• CIC Opens Representative Office in Guangdong to Boost Connection in the GBA

Sources: Construction Industry Council; The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address