Engineers look to jobs fair - and a jet engine - to drive on aviation industry

The city's undermanned aviation industry hopes to attract new talent at an upcoming public fair, as well as introducing young people to the professional accreditation recently established for aircraft engineering.

A five-tonne Rolls Royce Trent 500 engine that once powered an Airbus A340 will go on display at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai this weekend as part of the Discover Aviation Careers 2014 fair.

The Western Harbour Tunnel will be closed to all other traffic for 30 minutes from 4am Friday, as the HK$100-million engine is transported through on its way to the convention centre.

Some 16 participating businesses - including Cathay Pacific Airways, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company and Hong Kong Airlines - will be looking to hire new recruits at the fair.

While the generally low unemployment rate in recent years and competition from other industries have contributed to the aviation sector's manpower shortfall, leading aircraft-engineering companies also blame low public awareness of the potential careers the industry offers.

"That's why we are providing more information on the industry, in a way that is more engaging to young people, as well as their parents," said Warren Chim Wing-nin, honorary secretary of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers' aircraft division.