Hong Kong Institution of Engineers to nurture future talents for the industry

A series of projects will be launched by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) to attract young talents to join the industry, said its president Barry Lee Chi-hong.

"We are striving to build a more sustainable, resilient world for everyone, making engineering an enabler and accelerator for achieving the goal of sustainable development," said Lee in a media gathering on Tuesday.

As various large-scale infrastructure projects are being pressed ahead in the city, and the annual total construction volume could reach HK$240 billion to HK$375 billion in the next decade, the institution estimated there will be a shortage of about 3,000 local construction engineers.

In order to bring in new blood, the institution will launch a scheme to pair engineers with primary and secondary schools to help them organize STEAM activities and enhance students' understanding of the relation between the engineering profession and innovative technology.

HKIE will also assist with mentorship and guide companies in the industry to provide internship programs to nurture the next generation of engineering talent. 

Lee added that more exchange activities are being planned for young engineers to enhance their innovative technology capabilities and further consolidate Hong Kong's position as a regional professional knowledge exchange center.

He will lead 40 engineers below 35 to Guangzhou for a Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau scientific technological exchange on Saturday, enabling young engineers to acquire new knowledge through having a better understanding of the development of engineering projects in different cities and the application of green engineering technologies.

They will also visit the UK and Dubai in November and December this year.