DEVB supports continuous professional development in construction industry to address manpower needs
In response to the Construction Expenditure Forecast and the Manpower Forecast for Hong Kong Construction Industry released by the Construction Industry Council (CIC) today (April 10), a spokesman for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said that the Government will continue to collaborate with the CIC to promote professional development for the construction industry and address manpower needs through a multipronged approach.
As announced in the Budget in February this year, the Government's estimated capital works expenditure for 2026/27 is about $128 billion. From 2027/28 to 2030/31, the annual capital works expenditure on average is expected to remain at a similarly high level. Furthermore, with the recovery of the economy including the real estate market, a gradual resurgence of the volume of private sector projects is expected. Together with the anticipated increase in other public sector projects (such as railway and public housing projects), the CIC estimates the total construction expenditure of the industry to reach $305 billion to $360 billion in 2030/31. The medium-to long-term outlook for the construction industry remains robust, and the overall construction expenditure of the industry is expected to grow steadily.
The manpower demands across trades in the construction sector will continue to vary in response to changes of project types and trades involved. Due to the expected increase in the number of infrastructure-related projects (including land formation works for the Northern Metropolis, railway projects, etc) over the next few years, as well as the growing adoption of advanced construction technologies such as Modular Integrated Construction (MiC), greater manpower shortages are anticipated in certain trades, including plant and machinery operation, rigger, and electrical and mechanical installation. Meanwhile, as has been observed recently, labour shortages in some trades have eased, such as bar-bending, formwork carpentry, concreting and grouting, and plastering. However, given the projected steady increase in the total construction volume, the overall manpower demand for the construction industry is expected to remain strong over the next five years.
The spokesman said, "The DEVB will make reference to the forecast data released by the CIC and work with the Council to strengthen local training and drive technology adoption to enhance the overall productivity of the construction industry, while adhering to the multipronged approach and the policy of ensuring employment priority for local workers. The DEVB will continue to make effective use of the existing Labour Importation Scheme for the Construction Sector as a supplementary measure to respond flexibly to the industry’s manpower needs."
The Government looks forward to the CIC making persistent efforts to make good use of government funding and its own resources to assist construction workers in upskilling and reskilling by providing training places, training subsidies and employment services under the Multi-skilled and Skill Enhancement courses.
Regarding construction talent, the 2026-27 Budget proposes an allocation of $65 million for the DEVB to increase on-the-job training places to 260 in relevant government departments under the Graduate Training Scheme in 2026, thereby supporting graduates from construction-related programmes in obtaining professional qualifications. At the same time, with government support, the CIC will allocate an additional $180 million in the 2026-27 financial year to subsidise the provision of on-the-job training for a total of 3 000 relevant graduates in the construction industry.
Meanwhile, the Government has been supporting the industry in adopting advanced construction technologies to enhance overall productivity and drive the sustainable development of the industry. The Government injected a total of $2.2 billion into the Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) in 2018 and 2022. As the remaining balance is expected to be fully committed within 2026, the Government proposes in the Budget a further injection of $1 billion into the CITF, together with the CIC's contribution of $400 million, bringing the total to $1.4 billion to continue supporting a wider adoption of innovative technologies. The Government will work with the CIC to promote a broader use of advanced construction methods and new technologies such as MiC, Multi-trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing, AI technologies, and construction robotics.
The spokesman said, "The healthy development of the construction industry is not only an important component of the economic development of Hong Kong, but also a cornerstone of the city's high-quality development. Looking ahead, the Government will continue to collaborate with the CIC and industry stakeholders to address various tasks related to the construction volume and manpower needs in the sector."
Source: AI-found images
Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes for March remains at lowest level
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 10) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in March was 0.5 per cent. The index in March remained at the lowest Level 1, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the areas surveyed was not extensive.
In March, all 62 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) lower than 10 per cent, and more than half of the areas recorded zero per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in March was 1.1, which represented that an average of 1.1 Aedes albopictus was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD has continued to intensify mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also provided government departments with professional advice and technical support to assist them in swiftly formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures while strengthening publicity and education at the same time. Under the concerted efforts and collaboration of various parties, the index in March remained at a low level. Nevertheless, the warm and humid weather of spring is favourable for mosquito breeding. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts and will carry out prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work."
The FEHD continues to conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The first phase of the territory-wide campaign ended on March 20. The second phase will be launched from April 13 and run until June 12. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo working areas, land boundary control points, typhoon shelters and cross-boundary ferry terminals to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. Furthermore, the first phase of All-out Anti-mosquito Operations of this year began on March 25. The FEHD will continue to collaborate with relevant departments to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites before the rainy season in order to allow sufficient time for environmental and structure improvement works. The FEHD appeals to property management agents to continue actively participating in the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations.
The FEHD currently makes regular announcements on gravidtrap indices for Aedes albopictus on its webpage. To allow more citizens to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation, the FEHD has strengthened information dissemination by promptly announcing the latest gravidtrap indices through press releases and social media.
In addition, to further reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF), the FEHD has extended its intensified mosquito control work, which was originally activated when the AGI reaches 20 per cent, to cover areas with the AGI falling between 10 and 20 per cent. Specifically, the FEHD will conduct detailed risk assessments in the areas concerned to identify locations with higher mosquito infestation risks and, in collaboration with relevant departments and stakeholders, conduct intensive and targeted mosquito control work. The FEHD will also notify nearby housing estates, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together to take mosquito prevention and elimination measures.
To reduce the risk of transmission of CF and dengue fever (DF), the FEHD continues to step up mosquito prevention and control measures across all districts and conduct vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations within a 250-metre radius of the residence of patients and the places that patients had visited during the infectious period. Actions include removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and carrying out ultra-low volume fogging operations in adult mosquito habitats such as densely wooded areas, dark and secluded places, and abandoned structures to eliminate adult mosquitoes.
The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under plant pots at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and disposable meal boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF and CF. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. Furthermore, according to the WHO, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. Many countries worldwide experienced CF outbreaks last year; as of December 10, 2025, more than 500,000 cases had been reported in over 40 countries/regions worldwide. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Source: AI-found images
