Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan underscored that participation in the Governance Talent Development Program does not guarantee subsequent promotion.
The government is set to launch the Program -- which is dubbed the "talent incubator" -- this year to nurture governance talent among civil servants with a macro perspective and professional leadership ability.
It is expected that the first batch of approximately 40 to 50 junior directorate, senior, and middle-level civil servants will participate in the Program.
The Program was met with major support from lawmakers during the Panel on Public Service meeting of the Legislative Council on Monday. However, some expressed concerns about promotions.
Benson Luk Hon-man, a lawmaker from the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, raised concerns regarding the lack of priority in promotion selection for trainees in the Program. Financial sector lawmaker Ronick Chan Chun-ying further argued that the absence of promotion incentives linked to the Program may diminish civil servants' enthusiasm for participation.
In response, civil service chief Yeung clarified that the concepts of promotion and Program participation are distinct from one another. She emphasized that participants are required to maintain high performance levels in their work; failure to do so may lead to their expulsion from the Program.
Regarding concerns about whether the Program would impose additional burdens on the selected civil servants, Yeung indicated that bureaus and departments are tasked with nominating individuals who demonstrate potential.
She expressed confidence that these individuals have the capacity to manage their time effectively, prioritize tasks efficiently, utilize available resources prudently, and excel in their work without compromising their participation in the Program.
Yeung also highlighted that the courses are designed to enhance personal qualities that could indirectly support participants' career development.
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) lawmaker Frankie Ngan Man-yu inquired whether participants would be able to participate in an exchange program and be assigned to governmental departments on the mainland.
He also questioned whether the government would consider arranging for civil servants to work in the Legislative Council or District councillor's offices or even in private institutions so as to cultivate their ability to think in all directions.
Yeung responded that the course will have personalized development plans for different participants. If there are trainees who are suitable for working in the mainland, the authorities will make arrangements accordingly.
She noted that there is no plan to provide participants with exchange opportunities, as the government is currently experiencing a manpower shortage.
