For years, Alan Chan Chung-yee juggled work and further education, studying hard to prepare for qualifying examinations run by professional bodies. As it turned out, the string of professional qualifications under his belt helped with his career advancement.
He sought membership in the British-based Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators when the travel company he worked for was seeking listing on the local stock exchange. Then he studied to become an associate of the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers when the company tried to raise capital.
'I wanted to understand the mindset of bankers. You get more recognition from your clients, bosses or other professionals if you have professional qualifications. You can speak with more authority,' said Mr Chan, who is now the managing director of a subsidiary of a listed company, and a member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
But maintaining professional standing requires constant improvement in knowledge and skills. Various professional bodies have been providing a host of training opportunities to help their members meet new challenges in their sectors.
'The society is developing fast, and we need to keep pace with or even surpass the change,' said Raymond Chan Yuk-ming, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors.
'We organise various activities, from visits, seminars to talks, and recommend relevant courses offered by universities for our members.'
The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Toastmasters Club is organising a workshop on public speaking and communication skills on May 2 for members faced with an increasingly demanding environment. 'People have become more demanding and use various channels to express views on engineering projects that may impact on road alignment or traffic. We often need to explain to not just our clients but members of the public nowadays,' said Keith Lai Lim-chun, vice-president (public relations) of the toastmasters club.