Industries and Vocational Training

The Industries and Vocational Training Section engages persons in custody in productive work together with market-oriented and accredited vocational training courses for their reintegration into the community after release.

We provide products and services to the public sector in a cost effective way. In 2017, the total commercial value of products and services produced and provided by persons in custody through industrial work was HK$454 million. A daily average of 4 529 persons in custody was employed in 13 trades in about 130 workshops. A large number of precast concrete and sign products were supplied for various major government infrastructure projects, including Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Liantang/ Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and associated works. Besides, a new series of standard government office furniture was developed through our collaboration with the Government Property Agency. Mass production will commence in 2018.

To enhance the employability of rehabilitated persons for their reintegration into the community, we organised 40 various market-oriented vocational training courses. New courses launched in 2017 included the Foundation Certificate in Pet Sitting in Lo Wu Correctional Institution and the Foundation Certificate in Plumber Training for Interior Renovation (Intermediate Trade Test) in Tai Lam Correctional Institution. All these courses were accredited by professional training bodies with certificates and some of the qualifications were recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. A total of 2 318 vocational qualification examinations and trade tests were taken by adult and young persons in custody in 2017 with an average passing rate of 97.4%.

For the sustainable development of our business, we have started the upgrading project of the Manufacturing Management and Control System. The whole project is expected to be completed in mid 2018. In addition, to keep pace with the development of international markets and enhance customers' confidence, the Printing Workshop at Stanley Prison attained the internationally acclaimed G7 professional certification in 2017. Two instructors who were certified as G7 Experts were qualified to conduct relevant training programmes to persons in custody to strengthen their technical skills. A new leather products workshop providing 60 work posts was also set up in Tai Lam Correctional Institution to meet increased job orders from various disciplined services departments.

Over the years, the Industries and Vocational Training Section has been attaching great emphasis on staff training and development needs. In 2017, 632 staff members attended 116 training and development programmes in different fields organised by the Occupational Safety & Health Council, Civil Service Training and Development Institute and other training agencies. The programmes cover different areas including a training course on pattern design software applications for instructing staff of the garment trade, enabling them to instruct persons in custody to operate the pattern design software commonly used in the industry, while enhancing production efficiency and cost effectiveness.

The Departmental OSH Steering Committee plays a leading role in promoting OSH culture among staff members and persons in custody. The Department arranges staff members to attend OSH training courses regularly and institutional OSH officers also conduct risk assessments on all institutional premises as well as work practices. In 2017, we invited representatives from professional bodies such as the Fire Services Department to share ideas for enhancement on OSH issues in our OSH Steering Committee Meeting.