STAFF, TRAINING AND WELFARE
Staff
8.44. With staff increases approved in the 1969-70 Estimates and other additional posts created during the year, the establishment of posts for the Office at the end of the year was 3,991. In addition to this the sum of $500,000.00 was approved for the purpose of engaging casual labour as and when required. This has greatly alleviated the pressure on the Workshops and Operations sub-divisions and has enabled the number of vacancies at the lower levels to be kept to a minimum.
8.45. In December 1970, a total of 429 permanent posts were approved for the Military Works Section to accommodate the ex Ministry of Public Buildings and Works staff, who, since 1st July, 1967, have been employed in supernumerary posts. This enabled a start to be made on integrating the work of this section with the workshops. Staff have been transferred from the Military Depots to the main workshops and eventually the Depots will only be responsible for routine maintenance and minor repair.
8.46. Recruitment to the professional grades improved steadily with five Electrical and Mechanical Engineers being recruited, all from overseas.
8.47. Twenty-one members of the staff retired during the year, most of whom had served for more than 20 years in Government.
Training
8.48. A total of 447 professional and technical officers attended courses conducted locally by the Government Training Division, the Labour Department, the Hong Kong University and the Hong Kong Productivity Centre. These courses covered a wide variety of administrative and technical subjects ranging from industrial safety to computer programming. One officer was sent overseas to start a training course of 18 months.
8.49. In addition, 6 undergraduates from the engineering faculties of the Hong Kong University spent their 3 months summer vacation in the Workshops and 20 Technical College students spent 4 weeks in the Workshops undergoing practical training.
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