Capital-works spending to reach $49.6bln

Capital-works spending is seen to provide 62,500 job opportunities, including 6,600 for professional and technical staff, and 55,900 for workers.

According to Hong Kong Information Services Department, the Government is committed to investing in infrastructure to lay a solid foundation for future development and raise Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness, Permanent Secretary for Development (Works) Wai Chi-sing says.

Speaking at a Construction Industry Council award ceremony, Mr Wai said infrastructure promotes economic development and job opportunities.

"In anticipation of increasing demand for construction manpower in the coming years, we need to ensure the availability of sufficient construction personnel, and enhance the skills and competitiveness of in-service construction workers," Mr Wai said.

The Government's capital-works spending has been on the rise in recent years, he said. It is estimated to reach $49.6 billion in the 2010-11 financial year, providing 62,500 job opportunities, including 6,600 for professional and technical staff, and 55,900 for workers. Capital-works spending is expected to hit more than $50 billion in each of the next few years.

“Professional, skilled personnel play a significant role in providing high-quality infrastructure and buildings,” Mr Wai said.

Noting the ageing problem and skills mismatch in certain construction-industry trades, he said people are the industry’s most important asset.

Previously young people were not keen to become construction workers as they seemed to have a lower social status than those working in offices or the service sector. That situation is changing, Mr Wai said, especially since those who want to join the industry must now undergo training and trade testing to obtain required qualifications.

The industry now offers good training and promotion prospects, and workers enjoy better salary and remuneration packages - and safer working conditions. Mr Wai encouraged construction workers to become multi-skilled through continual learning, to be flexible and able to take up a diverse nature of work.

Last year the Legislative Council Finance Committee approved a one-off $100 million in funding for the Development Bureau to attract more people to join the construction industry and enhance construction workers’ skill and competitiveness. At least $80 million will be allocated to the Construction Industry Council for training new recruits and in-service workers.