2022 labour forecast underway

June 19, 2013

The Government is conducting a new round of the Manpower Projection exercise using 2012 as the base year for forecasting labour supply and requirements up to 2022, Secretary for Labour & Welfare Matthew Cheung says.
 
Its findings will be released by the first quarter of next year.
 
Mr Cheung told lawmakers today the projection to 2018 published last year foresees a slight shortfall in the overall manpower supply in Hong Kong by 2018. It is estimated there will be a shortfall of about 22,000 workers in the upper secondary, craft, technician and sub-degree education level, while there will be a small manpower surplus of about 8,500 workers at lower secondary level and below.
 
Mr Cheung said the Government and other stakeholders use the findings in conducting manpower studies and planning.
 
“Depending on their needs and circumstances, bureaus and departments may set up committees or task forces to consult the sectors, such as the Steering Committee on Strategic Review on Healthcare Manpower Planning & Professional Development and the Task Force on Manpower Development of the Retail Industry,” he said.
 
In designing its courses and planning for its services, the Vocational Training Council conducts manpower surveys for 24 industries and makes projections about their manpower requirements.
 
He said the Steering Committee on Population Policy chaired by the Chief Secretary will study how to improve manpower balance and skill matching so the workforce can, in terms of its quantity and skill level, support Hong Kong's economic development.