Letters | Hong Kong wants the best from its construction workers: how about the same high standards for site managers?

The provision of “designated workers for designated skills” stipulated in the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance requires that workers who independently carry out building works of specified trade divisions on construction sites must register as skilled workers or semi-skilled workers of related trade divisions. This aims at enhancing the quality of construction works and the career status of the workers. The new measures are an important milestone for the development of the industry.

But, ironically, while we need a registration system to ensure the competency of frontline construction workers, there is no specific professional qualification required for middle-level site management staff such as project coordinator or site agent. I am not going to challenge their professionalism, but a registration system which takes into account their academic qualifications and experience can certainly enhance their public recognition.

There is the “Building Discipline” under the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers’ registration system. But this is not widely recognised, compared with other well-known disciplines like civil, structural or electrical engineers. The most important reason is that “building engineer” is not an essential credential site management staff need to possess in taking up their jobs.

HKIE needs to step up its efforts in promoting the recognition of the Building Discipline. The government, in particular the Housing Department, should also revise the tender assessment criteria of public building works. Contractors’ site management teams consisting of registered building engineers should be given extra credit in the tender assessment.

Goldman Chan, Sham Shui Po