Caring for Our Staff
Training plays a key role in enhancing staff capabilities and knowledge. In light of this, DSD proactively supports the career and personal development of our employees, with a wide range of training systems. At the same time, we also place an emphasis on providing a safe and pleasant working environment for our employees. In addition, DSD arranges a variety of recreational activities for our staff to help foster a healthy work life balance.
Dragon Boat Race
Goodwill Visit
Archery Experience Class
Staff Training and Development
We are well aware of the importance in providing diverse training programmes of enhancing the professional knowledge and techniques for both new joining and existing employees. We held over 680 training activities in 2018-19, including induction courses, in-house training, duty visits, overseas conferences, etc. The average number of training hours per capita during the year was 38 hours, indicative of an increase of 8.57% in comparison with the previous year, plus exceeding the territory-wide average of 16.9 hours1 by 125%.
| 1 | “2018 Training & Development Needs Survey” released by Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management (24 June 2019) |
|---|
Induction Courses
Induction courses are arranged for new employees to help them understand the departmental operation and performance pledges. In 2018-19, five induction courses were held for a total of more than 220 new hires.
Occupational Safety and Health Training
In 2018-19, we organised two Internal Auditor Training Courses for the Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS) 18001 with a total of 61 employees participating.
During the year, we organised 22 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and other safety training sessions for about 2,110 colleagues. The breakdown is as follows:
| Item | Course Title | Number of Participants |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shipboard Cargo Handling Basic Training Course |
25 |
| 2 | Gantry Crane Certification Training and Test |
25 |
| 3 | Construction Safety Supervisor Course |
27 |
| 4 | Dog Bite Safety |
4 |
| 5 | Electrical Safety |
66 |
| 6 | Training Course for New Operators of Fork-lift Truck |
7 |
| 7 | Revalidation Training Course for Operators of Fork-lift Truck |
8 |
| 8 | Safe Handling of Chemicals |
59 |
| 9 | Safe Use of Abrasive Wheels |
21 |
| 10 | Safe Working Cycle |
14 |
| 11 | Manual Lifting and Handling 10 Gas Welding Safety Training Course |
10 24 |
| 12 | Gas Welding Safety Training Revalidation Course |
21 |
| 13 | Safe use of Mobile Aluminum Towers |
14 |
| 14 | Works Supervisor Safety Training Course (Ship-repairing & Ship-breaking) |
15 |
| 15 | Confined Space Safety Training Course for Certified Workers Engaged in DSD’s Works |
359 |
| 16 | Confined Space Safety Training Course for Competent Persons Engaged in DSD’s Works |
232 |
| 17 | Mandatory Basic Safety Training Revalidation Course (Construction Work) [Green Card Training Revalidation Course] |
316 |
| 18 | Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work) [Green Card Training Course] |
121 |
| 19 | Safety Training Course for Certified Workers of Confined Spaces Operation |
169 |
| 20 | Safety Training Course for Competent Persons of Confined Spaces Operation |
140 |
| 21 | Safety Training Revalidation Course for Certified Workers of Confined Spaces Operation |
258 |
| 22 | Safety Training Revalidation Course for Competent Persons of Confined
Spaces Operation |
176 |
| Total | 2,111 |
Overseas Duty Visit
In addition to our local training programmes, we encourage our colleagues to attend overseas visits to broaden their horizons. Through exchanges with overseas experts, we can study and learn from their experience, which helps us to adopt cutting-edge technologies and hence, optimise our services.
CIWEM Hong Kong Branch – Technical Mission 2018
In May 2018, our colleagues participated in the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) Hong Kong Branch – Technical Mission 2018 to Canada, which focused on various environmental infrastructure and the latest developments in green technologies. The delegation also met the provincial ministries of environmental affairs of Ontario and British Columbia regarding the planning and implementation of environmental policies.
Group photo of the participants and the provincial ministries of environmental affairs of Ontario and British Columbia
Learning about the latest green technologies
10th International Exhibition and Conference on Trenchless Technology
In May 2018, our colleagues attended Trenchless Asia 2018, the 10th International Exhibition and Conference on Trenchless Technology in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and visited the Thai Asia Polyethylene (PE) Pipe Factory at Pak Chong, Thailand. Trenchless Asia 2018 comprised of a 2-day conference and exhibition, which provided the participants with information on the latest trenchless techniques and equipment. Through the conference and site visit, our staff deepened their knowledge on the installation and rehabilitation of underground utilities and pipelines using the latest trenchless techniques, and broadened their understanding on the wide variety of PE pipes and fittings.
DSD colleagues visited Thai Asia Polyethylene Pipe Factory at Pak Chong, Thailand
DSD colleagues attended the 10th International Exhibition and Conference on Trenchless Technology
8th Singapore International Water Week 2018
In August 2018, our colleagues joined the representatives from the Development Bureau and the Water Supplies Department on a trip to 8th Singapore International Water Week 2018, a biennial event, in Singapore.
The conference offered a number of highly informative forums for more than 24,000 participants, including various leaders in the water industry, public sector organizations and experts from all over the world to share their experience in the latest technologies. Our colleagues also visited Jurong Water Reclamation Plant (WRP), which is equipped with an advanced thermal hydrolysis process as well as Changi WRP with a NEWater plant of the city to gain an insight into Singapore’s sludge treatment and reclaimed water technologies.
“Singapore International Water Week” welcome reception celebrating 10 years of water excellence
HKIE Geotechnical Division Overseas Delegation Visit to Switzerland
In June 2018, our colleagues attended an overseas delegation visit to Switzerland which was organised by the Geotechnical Division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). The visit aimed at enriching our knowledge on underground space development and tunnelling technologies, as well as landslide risk management and hazard mitigation by learning from Switzerland’s experience and expertise. Some examples of sites that the delegation visited during the tour include some notable cavern facilities, large tunnelling projects, and an underground quarry.
The delegation visited an underground quarry in Switzerland
16th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control
In September 2018, our colleagues attended the International Water Association (IWA) biennial conference in Spain. They exchanged information on sewage treatment with practitioners around the world and enriched their experience of sustainable wetland systems for water pollution control application through a series of lectures and site visits.
16th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control
