The government's aim to improve Hong Kong's infrastructure, and reinforce its reputation as a regional and international aviation, maritime and logistics hub, has generated fresh opportunities for engineers.
In recent months, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has embarked on a recruitment drive for professional and technical staff to meet the demands of infrastructure projects. The exercise focuses on hiring civil engineers to fill some 30 vacancies in the Works Department for the coming year. Technical officers, field officers and landscape architects will also be recruited.
The CEDD recruits engineers for a range of government departments and its own. It employs more than 1,700 staff, of whom about two-thirds are professional and technical personnel.
'With a lot of ongoing and in-the-pipeline mega infrastructure projects, the private sector is also hunting for the best civil and geotechnical engineers. However, we believe that the unique and diverse nature of work in the government gives us an edge in recruitment,' says CEDD spokesman Robert Tsoi.
The range of CEDD infrastructure projects is indeed vast, including the development of Kai Tak, the Tseung Kwan O-Lam Tin Tunnel, and the Cross Bay Link, cycle tracks in the New Territories, the widening of the Tsuen Wan bypass, a new boundary control point at Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai, and new development areas in Kwu Tung north, Fanling north and Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling.
'The postings will provide ample opportunities for engineers to work on a variety of local projects, and experience the challenges of delivering public works projects from different roles,' Tsoi says.
In a bid to attract the industry's best and brightest, remuneration packages offered to engineers are comparable to those of other professionals in the government.