Hong Kong's Chief Secretary Leads Meeting on Workforce Training Reform and Population Challenges

Third-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes fifth meeting

The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (December 2) chaired the fifth meeting of the third-term Human Resources Planning Commission.

"The Chief Executive's 2024 Policy Address" announced the reform of the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) to enhance its role and positioning by devising skills-based training programmes and strategies for the entire workforce to enhance the competitiveness of the local labour force through promoting continuous learning for all. At the meeting, the Chairman and Executive Director of the ERB briefed members on the review outcomes and recommendations. The reforms will be implemented in two phases. The ERB is now preparing to roll out the short-term measures in early 2025, including lifting the restriction on educational attainment of trainees, increasing the total number of annual training places by at least 15 000, strengthening collaboration with parties such as tertiary institutions and leading enterprises as well as enhancing services in career planning and job-matching. For the medium and long-term measures concerning the skills training framework, structure, operation mode, and consolidation of training resources, the ERB will submit proposals on the implementation details and timetable to the Government in end-2025. At the meeting, members offered their views to the ERB on its reform.

In addition, representatives of the Census and Statistics Department briefed members on the latest situation regarding Hong Kong's population and labour force, and the projected population outlook for the next two decades. The current term of Government has introduced various measures to encourage childbirth as well as policies to attract talent and import labour, which will provide important impetus for future population growth. In the face of an ageing population, the projected inflow of One-way Permit holders and outside talent would help replenish the younger population, alleviate pressures on labour supply, and slow down the pace of ageing. Regarding the future manpower needs, the Labour and Welfare Bureau has previously shared with members the major findings of the 2023 Manpower Projection. Members acknowledged the challenges of Hong Kong's population and workforce in the future and supported the Government to introduce various response measures.

Health Bureau responds to commencement of recruitment of Chief Executive by Hospital Authority

In respect of the Hospital Authority (HA) initiating the process to recruit a Chief Executive to succeed Dr Tony Ko, who has indicated that he will not seek continued employment after the term of his contract ends in July this year, the Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, expressed today (January 23) his high recognition of and gratitude to Dr Ko for his contributions to the public healthcare system.

Professor Lo said, "I deeply appreciate the contributions made by Dr Tony Ko to the development of the public healthcare system over the past six years in his capacity as the Chief Executive of the HA. During this period, the HA faced numerous major challenges, especially the COVID-19 epidemic, which put tremendous and unprecedented pressure on the public healthcare system. Dr Ko did his utmost to lead the HA in its response to the challenges brought about by every wave of the epidemic, guiding staff of the HA to serve the community in concerted efforts. His work is highly commendable.

"Dr Ko has also stepped up efforts to enhance the management and efficiency of the public healthcare system, raising the quality, safety and effectiveness of the HA's services, and has supported multiple government policies and explored more collaboration opportunities in healthcare with the Mainland and the rest of the world while improving services so that Hong Kong can give better play to its unique role and contribute to the healthcare development of the country. Dr Ko has made great contributions to the public healthcare system. I wish him every success in his future endeavours after leaving the post of Chief Executive of the HA."