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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
STATEMENT BY MR. JOHN MacKENZIE, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE, ON LOCAL & OVERSEAS TRAINING FOR U.S.D. STAFF
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in my capacity as Chairman of the Administration Select Committee, I am pleased to report to the Council on the progress of training for departmental staff. During the year 1974/75 a total of 71 training programmes were provided locally and overseas, involving 1,071 staff members. A list of the courses organised during 1974/75 are tabled as Annex I and II of this report.
Local Training
2. Greater accent is now placed on local training and many types of in-service training courses were organized last year for all levels of USD staff, from Labourer to Assistant Director. Several courses were held for senior management staff, and supervisory training provided for first-line supervisors; namely Foremen, Overseers and Amenities Assistants. Courses to improve the working skills of staff in horticulture, pest control, cleansing, parkkeeping, swimming pool management etc. were also conducted. Induction training was also provided for newcomers to the department.
3. Currently, 115 Student Health Inspectors are being trained in the department. 31 have completed the 2-year course and, in April 1975, sat for the Royal Society of Health Diploma Examination in Public Health Inspection for General Overseas Appointment. Those successful will be qualified for appointment as Health Inspectors. At present, they are attached to various district offices for practical training. Arrangements have been made for all to be given supervisory training by the Government Training Division.
4. The appointment of a Veterinary Officer to the Department now makes it possible to train Health Inspectors locally in meat and other foods inspection. Previously this course could only be undertaken in Britain and at considerable expense. 12 Health Inspectors are attending the first local course which started in February this year and ends in July. These trainees will take the Diploma examination set by the Royal Society of Health in August.
5. Progress is also being made in preparation for a local training course in public cleansing. The course will be run with the assistance of the Hong Kong Polytechnic and, if all goes well, the first course for 25 trainees will start in September this year.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Overseas Training
6. Specialist overseas training is still much needed by the department. No less than 21 Health Inspectors, 1 Amenities Officer, 2 Amenities Assistants, 2 Pest Control Officers and 1 Assistant Curator were sent for overseas training during 1974/75. Of this number, 3 have completed their courses and returned to Hong Kong. The rest are continuing their studies in Britain, Canada, and Australia.
7. Between now and October, another 16 officers of various rank will leave for training overseas. Seven members of the Health Inspectorate will study Administration, Environmental Engineering, Health Education, Poultry Science, Food Technology, and training organization for Health Inspectors. A Health Inspector will be sent to the Malaria Eradication Centre of the W.H.O. in Manila. Two Senior Assistant Managers at the City Hall will be trained in London in the management of performing arts, and an Assistant Manager will be sent to Australia for three months' practical training in theatre production techniques. Other Museum staff will attend courses in museum studies and graphic design; while 3 Assistant Librarians will be attached to UK libraries for training in librarianship. A list of the 1975/76 overseas courses is tabled as Annex III.
8. The Council will have noted the recent study tour by a group of USD officers to three South-East Asian countries. The party left on 11th May and return on 25th May, visiting Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. The trip was financed by the Urban Council as part of its plan to improve the training and experience of USD officers.
9. The group found the trip very useful as it provided an opportunity for the staff to see how neighbouring cities handled problems similar to those of Hong Kong. A detailed report is being prepared and, on behalf of the Council, I would like to thank the various authorities who gave generous assistance in the organization of the tour.
10. In conclusion, I wish to say that the Council and the department attach great importance to the training of staff, since we believe that trained staff is efficient staff. Training proposals for 1976/77 are being drawn up by the department and will be forwarded to the relevant Select Committees for consideration and approval within the next few months.
Annex III
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Page 39 of 154
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
STATEMENT BY MR. JOHN MacKENZIE, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE, ON LOCAL & OVERSEAS TRAINING FOR U.S.D. STAFF
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, in my capa- city as Chairman of the Administration Select Committee, I am pleased to report to the Council on the progress of training for departmental staff. During the year 1974/75 a total of 71 training programmes were provided locally and overseas, involving 1,071 staff members. A list Annex I & II of the courses organised during 1974/75 are tabled as Annex I and II
of this report.
Local Training
2. Greater accent is now placed on local training and many types of in-service training courses were organized last year for all levels of USD staff, from Labourer to Assistant Director. Several courses were held for senior management staff, and supervisory training pro- vided for first-line supervisors; namely Foremen, Overseers and Amenities Assistants. Courses to improve the working skills of staff in horticulture, pest control, cleansing, parkkeeping, swimming pool management etc. were also conducted. Induction training was also provided for newcomers to the department.
3.
Currently, 115 Student Health Inspectors are being trained in the department. 31 have completed the 2-year course and, in April 1975, sat for the Royal Society of Health Diploma Examination in Public Health Inspection for General Overseas Appointment. Those successful will be qualified for appointment as Health Inspectors. At present, they are attached to various district offices for practical train- ing. Arrangements have been made for all to be given supervisory training by the Government Training Division.
4.
The appointment of a Veterinary Officer to the Department now makes it possible to train Health Inspectors locally in meat and other foods inspection. Previously this course could only be under- taken in Britain and at considerable expense. 12 Health Inspectors are attending the first local course which started in February this year and ends in July. These trainees will take the Diploma examination set by the Royal Society of Health in August.
5.
Progress is also being made in preparation for a local training course in public cleansing. The course will be run with the assistance of the Hong Kong Polytechnic and, if all goes well, the first course for 25 trainees will start in September this year.
Overseas Training
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
6. Specialist overseas training is still much needed by the depart- ment. No less than 21 Health Inspectors, 1 Amenities Officer, 2 Amenities Assistants, 2 Pest Control Officers and 1 Assistant Curator were sent for overseas training during 1974/75. Of this number, 3 have completed their courses and returned to Hong Kong. The rest are continuing their studies in Britain, Canada, and Australia.
7. Betwen now and October, another 16 officers of various rank will leave for training overseas. Seven members of the Health Inspec- torate will study Administration, Environmental Engineering, Health Education, Poultry Science, Food Technology, and training organization for Health Inspectors. A Health Inspector will be sent to the Malaria Eradication Centre of the W.H.O. in Manila. Two Senior Assistant Managers at the City Hall will be trained in London in the manage- ment of performing arts, and an Assistant Manager will be sent to Australia for three months' practical training in theatre production techniques. Other Museum staff will attend courses in museum studies and graphic design; while 3 Assistant Librarians will be attached to UK. libraries for training in librarianship. A list of the 1975/76 overseas courses is tabled as Annex III.
8.
The Council will have noted the recent study tour by a group of USD officers to three South-East Asian countries. The party left on 11th May and return on 25th May, visiting Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. The trip was financed by the Urban Council as part of its plan to improve the training and experience of USD officers.
9. The group found the trip very useful as it provided an opportunity for the staff to see how neighbouring cities handled problems similar to those of Hong Kong. A detailed report is being prepared and, on behalf of the Council, I would like to thank the various authorities who gave generous assistance in the organization of the tour.
10. In conclusion, I wish say that the Council and the department attach great importance to the training of staff, since we believe that trained staff is efficient staff. Training proposals for 1976/77 are being drawn up by the department and will be forwarded to the relevant Select Committees for consideration and approval within the next few months.
Annex III
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