Hong Kong’s civil service chief vows to better tap workers’ potential as more younger staff head for exit

Minister Ingrid Yeung says nothing unusual for young staff to switch jobs, especially as work environment changes following end of pandemic

She pledges bureau will strive to offer more training and opportunities to give civil servants greater incentive to stay

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Some 1,299 Hong Kong civil servants aged 30 to 39 left their jobs during the 2021-22 financial year. Photo: Elson Li

Published: 11:52pm, 8 Apr 2023

The head of Hong Kong’s civil service has pledged to offer more training so its employees can move up the ranks after figures showed the number of workers in their thirties who quit in the previous financial year was up sharply over previous ones.

“The civil service is like any other business. It takes a while for newcomers to adjust and one learns if the job fits him or her only after working for some time,” Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan on Saturday said.

“So it is not a special case to see young people who had joined the public service for short periods leave.”

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung argues the pandemic created “extra pressure and more work requirements” for government workers in recent years. Photo: Edmond So

The minister said learning opportunities and a work environment that could unleash employees’ potential should be provided in an effort to retain them.

“For example, the government will apply some advanced technology to the workplace, ensuring it does not fall behind those found at private institutions,” she said. “Meanwhile, we will offer sufficient training opportunities.”

Yeung also pointed to the Civil Service College, which has been focusing on providing multiple training courses to government workers to expand their understanding of the country, advanced technology and international relations.