Extending the Training Subsidy Scheme and Accelerating Northern Metropolis Development Through Technology and Upskilling

HONG KONG, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Construction Industry Council (CIC) supports the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030) (Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan) and the 2026 Policy Address, including initiatives to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis, advance industrialisation and talent development. These strategies will create significant opportunities for the construction sector, and the CIC will continue to lead the industry in improving efficiency, quality, and safety while unlocking the potential of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Northern Metropolis. The CIC will actively promote the practical application of the Smart Site Safety System Labelling Scheme (4SLS) and artificial intelligence (AI), while strengthening talent training to foster sustainable industry development.

The Northern Metropolis is a key planning direction in both the Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address, and it will generate substantial manpower demand and opportunities for the construction industry. The CIC welcomes the Policy Address proposal to reserve land in the Northern Metropolis for an advanced construction industry park to support MiC and MiMEP production, certification, R&D and training, and will continue to strengthen related training and promotion to help the industry move towards more efficient, safe and sustainable development. In 2025, the CIC launched Master Classes on Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) and Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) for project managers, foremen and workers, cumulatively training over 800 participants. We will add MiMEP masterclasses related to repair, maintenance, alteration and addition works, and will enhance the MiC Resources Centre with interactive demonstrations and an updated database.

To support continuous talent development, the CIC and the Development Bureau will jointly allocate HK$600 million to extend the "Professional Degree Graduates On-the-Job Training Subsidy Scheme" (the Scheme) in 2027 and 2028, providing a total of 10,000 training subsidy quotas. Meanwhile, the CIC's Hong Kong Institute of Construction will continue to offer no fewer than 12,000 training places annually for skilled workers and about 4,000 training places for technicians and professionals in construction technology during the 2026-27 to 2027-28 academic years.

The CIC will also continue to promote the "multi-skilled" training approach and upskilling by introducing more flexible courses to accommodate people with different family responsibilities and part-time workers. We will continue to work closely with relevant institutions and the industry to strengthen training for local construction technicians and professionals. To advance GBA standards and the "one examination, multiple certification" initiative, the CIC is participating in cooperation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to help formulate regional skills standards, thereby raising training quality across the GBA and enhancing the professional level and recognition of Hong Kong's construction technicians. In promoting "one examination, multiple certification" initiative, the CIC has also proactively coordinated with relevant stakeholders alongside the Development Bureau, with an aim of announcing this year the GBA skills-level standards for two skilled worker trades and one technical position. This effort seeks to enhance the quality of construction industry training across the entire GBA, nurture talents, and advance the development of the region's construction sector.

Innovation and technology are key drivers of construction sector development and a major focus of Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan. The CIC has designated 2026 as the "Year of AI" and is pursuing a multi-pronged "AI+" strategy for the industry. The Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) expanded its AI and robotics funding scope in May 2026, raising the per-company cap from HK$7.5 million to HK$10 million to accelerate digital transformation.

To foster exchange among Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, and international partners, the CIC will hold the Construction Innovation Expo (CIExpo) from 23 to 25 November 2026, bringing together international experts and exhibitors to showcase leading construction technologies and solutions. We will also continue to organise Master Classes and AI Salons to enhance industry knowledge and exchange on AI and smart construction, and in June 2026 integrated the CIC AI Assistant (Construction Safety) into the CIC APP to allow workers to instantly access and understand site safety information.

Through these efforts, the CIC aims to help the industry seize opportunities arising from the Hong Kong's Five-Year Plan, the Northern Metropolis and the GBA, drive upgrading and transformation, and better integrate into national development. The CIC will continue to work closely with the government and the industry to leverage policies in the 2026 Policy Address that support construction sector development, help the industry make full use of CITF to accelerate smart site implementation, and strengthen talent training to propel Hong Kong's construction industry towards a safer, more efficient and more competitive future.

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