Industries and Vocational Training

In 2015, the Industries and Vocational Training Section engaged persons in custody in useful work and provided them with market-oriented and accredited vocational training courses for their reintegration into the community.

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Industries Development

Integrated with training on new production techniques, generic skills and quality concepts, the industrial work we arranged for persons in custody contributed to the provision of products and services to the public sector in a cost effective way. In 2015, the total commercial value of products and services produced and provided by persons in custody engaged in industrial work was HK$439.9 million. A daily average of 4 244 persons in custody were employed in 13 trades in more than 130 industrial workshops.

In 2015, we reviewed the production processes of majority of office furniture to enhance production efficiency. Simplified processes and designs were primarily based on the principles of eco-friendliness. Through thorough production management and close customer relations, we timely provided all necessary office furniture to various government departments including Trade and Industry Department, Highways Department and Social Welfare Department for their relocation to new offices. Furthermore, one of the garment making workshops in Lo Wu Correctional Institution started producing higher-end waterproof and vapour permeable jackets to widen product mix and let persons in custody acquire contemporary market skills.

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Vocational Training Development

To strengthen the employability of rehabilitated persons after their reintegration into the community to become law-abiding citizens, we completed organising more than 30 various types of vocational training courses. New vocational training courses launched in 2015 included the Pet Groomer and Shop Assistant Training Course in Lo Wu Correctional Institution, the Dim Sum Making Training Course in Tong Fuk Correctional Institution and the Coffee House Operations Training Course in Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution. All the courses are certificated by accredited training bodies. The majority of courses attain the “Qualifications Framework” (QF) level. The persons in custody working in the printing workshops can also obtain qualification recognition through the "Recognition of Prior Learning" mechanism under the QF.

A total of 2 882 vocational qualification examination papers and trade tests were taken by adult and young persons in custody in 2015 with an average passing rate of 97%.

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Facility Upgrading

In 2015, new production technologies and facilities were introduced in various workshops for enhancing our work efficiency, upgrading product quality and letting persons in custody acquire the advanced technological knowledge. They included the computer numerical control routing machine in the Stanley Prison Carpentry Workshop, the computer numerical control metal routing machine in the Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution Sign-making Workshop, and the computer-aided leather cutting system in the Lo Wu Correctional Institution Leather Products Workshop. Furthermore, by introducing the water temperature data logger in the commercial laundries, we strengthened the quality assurance of laundered linen provided for the Hospital Authority.

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Information Technology

Information technology was a key means for achieving management efficiency. In 2015, the upgraded Job Costing System yielded shorter cost recovery workflow for streamlining the liquidity of our suspense account.

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Staff Training and Development

Over the years, the Industries and Vocational Training Section has emphasised staff training and development needs. In 2015, 604 staff members attended 97 training and development programmes in different fields organised by the Occupational Safety and Health Council, Civil Service Training and Development Institute and other training agencies. Visits to counterpart organisations and production facilities were also arranged to keep staff abreast of new knowledge and production techniques.

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Occupational Safety and Health(OSH)

The Departmental OSH Steering Committee played a leading role in promoting OSH culture among staff members and persons in custody. Staff members from various institutions have been nominated to attend OSH training courses. Institutional OSH Officers continued to conduct risk assessments on all institutional premises and work practices. In 2015, 13 staff teams from various institutions participated in the OSH Quiz organised by the OSH Council, which scaled a new level of participants in our Department.

Hong Kong Correctional Services Annual Review 2015