Construction Industry Training Information

Hong Kong Institute of Construction / Construction Industry Council

The Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) (www.hkic.edu.hk) is a member organisation of the Construction Industry Council (CIC). The vision of the HKIC is to nurture an accomplished construction workforce with sound professional skills, theoretical knowledge, safety awareness, innovative ideas, passion and pride for the construction industry of Hong Kong.

The HKIC provides tuition-free and monthly training allowance to all full-time short courses students who are new to join the construction industry. Among these, the "Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme" (ECMTS) is designed for the trades that are lack of manpower. There are over 20 courses for them to choose from, including bar-bending, formwork, concreting, plumbing and building survey. The duration of the courses ranges from one month to half a year, and the monthly training allowance can be up to HK$12,910 ^{(Note )}. Upon completion of training and passing the relevant test, graduates can register as "Registered Semi-skilled Worker" or "Registered Skilled Worker" after continuously improving working experience and skills. Graduates of designed courses can apply to join the 2-year "Approved Technical Talents Training Programmes" to become skilled workers after relevant assessments with trade test exempted. The expected monthly income can be as high as $30,000 to $50,000 (depending on the trade and market demand). In addition, the HKIC also offers a "first-hire-then-train" collaboration scheme, job changers can choose their own training mode according to personal needs.

The HKIC also provides full-time 1-year and 2-year "Certificate in Construction", "Diploma in Construction" and "Advanced Diploma" programmes that are accredited under the Qualification Framework for secondary 3 to secondary 6 graduates. Graduates can follow the articulation pathway under the "Construction Pathway Project" to further enhance their academic qualifications and skills, and become engineering management talents.

The School of Professional Development in Construction (SPDC) under the HKIC offers professional and continuing education courses that aligns with the industry's development. These include Building Information Modelling (BIM), Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA),etc.

The three campuses of the HKIC are located in Kowloon Bay, Kwai Chung and Sheung Shui, and there are outdoor training grounds in various districts to provide diversified courses that meet the needs of the industry.

For more information about the HKIC's programmes, please click here.

^{Note : The allowance includes the graduation allowance. The amount of allowance is subject to change without prior notice.}

Construction Industry Training Information Photo

Vocational Training Council

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) (www.vtc.edu.hk) provides valuable credentials for youngsters and working adults through a wide range of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) programmes.

The VTC, through its various member institutions, offers VPET programmes at different levels from Certificate, Diploma to Degree, providing a seamless progression pathway for learners. These include Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Higher Diploma / Diploma of Foundation Studies programmes offered by Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, as well as Diploma of Vocational Education and Vocational Baccalaureate programmes offered by Youth College. With a balanced mix of theoretical knowledge and practical know-how, the programmes cover an extensive spectrum of specialised areas including civil engineering, building services engineering, surveying, architectural technology and design, electrical engineering, environmental protection, construction, mechanical engineering as well as occupational safety and emergency operations. While secondary school leavers can pursue the full-time or part-time pre-employment programmes at the VTC, practitioners of different professions can likewise enhance their industry knowledge and skills through the VTC's in-service programmes for acquisition of higher qualifications.

The VTC administers Vplus Engineering to promote lifelong learning and encourage working adults to pursue higher qualifications geared towards upward mobility while promoting professionalism in the disciplines of construction and engineering. Vplus Engineering will subsidise students pursuing the designated VTC professional part-time programmes.

Aspirants to a career in the construction field can also join the VTC Apprenticeship Training Scheme or the VTC Earn & Learn Scheme to receive structured vocational education and on-the-job training.

For more information about the VTC's programmes, please click here.

Employees Retraining Board

The Employees Retraining Board (ERB) (www.erb.org) offers skills-based training courses to eligible employees of Hong Kong aged 15 or above, including training courses straddling different industry categories and generic skills training.

Under the "construction and renovation" and "electrical and mechanical services" industry category, ERB offers placement-tied courses and skills upgrading courses on vocational skills such as plumbing, painting, refrigeration / air-conditioning, electrical engineering assistant, welder and electrical wireman, etc. for trainees to enroll according to their career aspirations and training needs.

For more information about the ERB's training courses, please click here.

Common Work Certificates – Construction Industry

Workers engaged in different trades in the construction industry have to receive appropriate training and obtain relevant qualifications. Below are some common work certificates in the construction industry.