(香港，2023年2月9日) 建造業議會公布建造業人力預測報告，香港工程師學會 (下稱「學會」) 歡迎報告預測能為業界提供有效、客觀的數據，估算未來工程量對工程專業界別及建造業各人手的需求，對工程業日後的發展更為有利。面對人才短缺，學會認同需要更積極推動創新科技等新興建造技術，精簡審批程序，提升效率，同時吸引更多人才入行、挽留現有人手，以應付未來多項大型基建項目。
根據建造業議會的數字，在2027年，預測專業人員的短缺約6,000至6,500人，其中短缺較嚴重的專業界別包括土木工程師、電機/機械工程師、土力工程師(岩土工程師)、結構工程師及環境工程師。學會估算工程師在2023-2027 五年期間的短缺平均約為3,000人。熟練/半熟練工人在2027年的短缺達到35,000至40,000人。然而，需留意上述數字並沒有計及各項增加人力供應或減低人手需求的措施所帶來的效果。
學會認為，報告吻合並為學會去年四月發表的報告提供量化數據支持。學會相信利用新科技、新工藝、新物料，提升生產力及減少人手需求的措施，不僅是緩解人手短缺的方法，亦是建造業未來發展的重要方向，相關各項措施正逐漸看見成效。
面對工程量上升及整體工作人口下跌所帶來的影響，正如學會去年四月所發表的「關於擴充工程人才庫以應付可見需求研究」的報告所述，「開源節流」有助業界處理這兩大挑戰，並為業界可持續發展的出路。在「開源」方面，須在中學課程、大學學額及收生方面作檢討，以吸引學生修讀 STEAM 及工程學科。學會正與教育局合辦「工程伴理行」計劃，協助學校舉辦 STEAM 活動。另外，學會亦正積極籌辦本月下旬至三月初的「2023香港工程師週」（https://hkengineersweek.com/），向公眾、特別是年青人介紹工程專業的多元性及豐富而具挑戰性的工作內容。然而，培訓一名專業工程師需時較長，在本土培訓的同時，學會亦建議吸引海外及內地工程師及工程畢業生來港工作，有關建議能於短期內增加工程專業人員的供應。另外，學會亦積極參與業界正在推行的「建造業推廣計劃」，以吸引新人加入我們的行列。
至於「節流」方面，透過改善工作環境，精簡各類行政及審批程序，挽留各級人才，緩和退休潮帶來的影響。正如學會去年九月發表的「精簡屋宇及發展審批流程」的研究報告所述，過多行政及審批程序會令人力資源需求的壓力增加。學會建議在不影響質量及安全情況下，精簡審批程序，審批部門除擔當監管者外，也可在公平原則下擔當促進者的角色，以更少資源，達致更高效率和生產力。
學會樂意與政府及業界攜手制定策略，多管齊下，透過加強培訓、推動業界使用創新科技及在有合理理據下引入非本地資源，應對未來人力需求。香港未來有多項大型基建陸續動工，工程界會繼續貢獻其專業力量，建設香港，滿足香港經濟發展及住屋需要。
如欲垂詢，請與香港工程師學會傳訊統籌部聯絡。
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(Hong Kong, 13 February 2023) The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (“HKIE”) noted and welcomed the Construction Industry Council’s (“CIC”) new release — “Manpower Forecast for Hong Kong Construction Industry” (“the Forecast”). The projections therein, by providing the industry with potent and objective data, serve as a sound basis for estimating the manpower needs imposed by the future construction volume on the engineering and construction industries, thereby benefiting their future development. To grapple with the shortage of talents, especially given many large-scale infrastructure projects in the pipeline, the HKIE agrees that it is necessary to strengthen the promotion of innovative technologies and other emerging construction technologies, streamline vetting and approval processes, improve efficiency, and , simultaneously with all these, attract new talents and retain existing manpower for the construction and engineering industries.
According to CIC’s figures, a shortage of about 6,000 to 6,500 professionals in 2027 is predicted; among them, engineers in professional disciplines including civil, electrical/mechanical, geotechnical, structural and environmental figure prominently. The HKIE estimates that the shortage of engineers will average around 3,000 in the five-year period between 2023 and 2027, whereas the manpower gap for skilled/semi-skilled workers will reach 35,000 - 40,000 in 2027. It should however be noted that, in the aforementioned figures, the effects of the various measures to increase supply or reduce demand of manpower have not been taken into account.
The HKIE is of the view that the Forecast is consistent with, and provides quantitative data that support, the “Research on Augmenting Engineer Manpower to Cope with the Foreseeable Surge in Demand” published by the Institution in April 2022. We believe that the use of innovative technologies, crafts, and materials, together with measures to increase productivity and reduce manpower demand, not only can alleviate the problem of manpower shortages, but also provides an important direction for the future development of the construction industry. The relevant measures are gradually taking effect.
As suggested in the HKIE’s Research Report published last April, “generating supply” and “managing demand” will help the industry in coping with the challenges brought on by the impacts of increasing construction volume and the decline in the overall working population, paving the way for the sustainable development of the industry. In terms of “generating supply”, it is essential to review the secondary school curriculum as well as university places and admissions, in order to attract students to enrol in STEAM- and engineering-related programmes. The HKIE is co-organising the “Engineers on Campus” programme with the Education Bureau, assisting schools in organising STEAM activities. In addition, the HKIE is organising the “Hong Kong Engineers Week 2023” (https://hkengineersweek.com) from late-February to early-March, showcasing the diversity of engineering disciplines, and the broad scope and challenging nature of engineers’ work to the public, especially the younger generation. It must be noted, however, that it takes a considerable amount of time to nurture a professional engineer. Apart from strengthening training at the local level, the HKIE recommends attracting overseas and mainland engineers and engineering graduates to work in Hong Kong, thereby boosting the supply of engineering professionals on a short-term basis. Besides, the Institution is actively participating in the “Construction Hong Kong” campaign that is currently being implemented by the industry to attract new blood to the engineering and construction sector.
As for “managing demand”, the impact of the retirement wave could be alleviated by improving working conditions, streamlining miscellaneous administrative and approval procedures, and retaining talents at all levels. As expounded in the research report “Recommendations on Streamlining Building Works and Infrastructure Development Processes” issued by the HKIE last September, excessive administrative and approval procedures would add pressure to manpower demand. We recommend, on the premise that the engineering quality and safety are not compromised, streamlining the approval processes. In addition to being a “regulator”, relevant approving authorities can also act as a “facilitator” (while complying with the principle of fairness) so that higher efficiency and productivity may be achieved with limited resources.
The HKIE stands ready to work with the Government and the industry to formulate strategies that work for and benefit the engineering and construction industry. A multi-pronged approach that combines strengthening training, promoting the use of innovative technologies within the industry, and importing non-local resources on reasonable grounds will help to meet the manpower demand in the future. A number of large-scale infrastructure projects are underway, and the engineering industry will continue to make professional contributions towards the construction of a better Hong Kong in which the society’s needs for housing and economic development are met.
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