1.22. With the increasing workload in the Electrical and Mechanical Office the recruitment of properly trained artisans has proved more and more difficult. A new scheme has been developed in co-operation with the Government Training Unit and the Education Department for the training of craft apprentices with an annual intake of 120. The existing apprenticeship scheme has been redeveloped into a course of training for apprentice technicians.
1.23. A total of 24 engineering graduates from the University of Hong Kong were on indenture to the Director of Engineering Development as Apprentice Engineers to gain some of the experience required for the professional interview of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Four Apprentice Architects, two Apprentice Electrical Engineers and one Apprentice Mechanical Engineer were also under training.
1.24. The Superintendent of Crown Lands and Survey undertook the training of 44 Surveying Assistants (Land) and 17 Surveying Assistants (Engineering).
1.25. During the summer vacation, 23 students from the University of Hong Kong were attached to this Department. Four were attached to the Architectural Office, nine to the Civil Engineering Office, four to the Waterworks Office and six were given instruction in the Electrical and Mechanical Office.
1.26. Altogether 49 officers of the Department were on, or completed courses during the year in Britain, Australia, Holland and the United States of America. Some of these courses were taken while the officers were on vacation leave.
1.27. Further details of training are included in the sections dealing with individual sub-departments.
VISITORS
April
1.28. Lt. Col. Qadeer A. MALIK of the Pakistan Army, during his vacation in Hong Kong, visited Lai Chi Kok Bridge, Lion Rock Tunnel and other civil engineering projects in Kowloon and the Tsuen Wan/Kwai Chung area. He also visited the Plover Cove Water Scheme, the Shek Kip Mei Government Low Cost Housing Scheme and the Murray Building Government Offices under construction.
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