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    CITA ANNUAL REPORT 2007

    Construction Industry Training Authority

    Our Vision

    To be the leader and pacesetter

    in construction training and craft accreditation

    Our Mission

    We will achieve our vision by:

    - setting standard of craft accreditation

    - integrating technological advances

    - delivering quality training

    - fostering professional ethics

    - nurturing safety awareness at work

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    CITA ANNUAL REPORT 2007

    PAGE

    CHAIRMANS REPORT 3-7

    INTRODUCTION 8-9

    MEMBERSHIP 10-12

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF 13

    ESSENCE OF TRAINING OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT 14-21

    COMMITTEE REPORTS 22-27

    LEVY INCOME 28

    INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT 29-30

    INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT 31

    BALANCE SHEET 32

    STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FUND AND RESERVES 33

    CASH FLOW STATEMENT 34

    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 35-49

    APPENDICES 50-68

    CONTENTS

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    Chairmans Report

    Ir Edgar C .P. Kwa n, JP Chairman

    I have great pleasure in submitting this report for the year 2003

    on behalf of the Board of the Authority.

    This is my first report since I took up chairmanship on the 5th

    September 2003. It is indeed a great privilege for me to be appointed

    as Chairman. I will uphold the dedication and commitment of ourimmediate past Chairman, Mr. Billy W.H. Wong, and other

    distinguished past Chairmen in leading the Authority in its provision

    of quality services to the construction industry.

    During the past year, this Authority continued to implement

    measures and initiatives in response to the recommendations made

    in the Report of the Construction Industry Review Committee, which

    are relevant to our work; and to make necessary arrangements for

    the implementation of the reforms.

    Enhancement and Revision of the Ful l - t ime Train ingCourses

    Since the 2002/2003 training year, this Authority has extended

    the training period of some of the Basic Craft Courses to two years,

    and has incorporated a number of generic training elements. The

    first batch of trainees also completed two site practices within the

    year of 2003. With the support of many employers, all trainees were

    able to acquire valuable practical experience. The Authority has

    since reviewed the site practice arrangements, with the aim of

    providing the best pre-employment training to the trainees. Besides,

    in the past six months, we have conducted a review on the

    Construction Supervisor Trainee/Technician Training Programme.

    It is recommended to extend this one-year full-time course to two

    years, update the course contents, enhance generic education and

    In the year 2007, the Hong Kong economy attained a better

    growth. The pick-up in wages and earnings, the improved job

    prospects and the persistent surge in private sector construction

    activities led to an increase in the receipt of construction levy. The

    Chief Executive announced in the Policy Address in October 2007

    that the Government would undertake 10 infrastructure projects toboost economic growth, including three transport related projects,

    four cross-border projects and three urban redevelopment projects.

    The economic benefits to be brought about by these infrastructure

    projects would total more than $100 billion annually and some

    250,000 jobs would be created. All these hammered out an optimistic

    prospect for the construction industry. As the training institute for

    the industry, this Authority has the responsibility to complement the

    policy of the government by strengthening its training efforts to meet

    the needs of the industry and the community at large.

    One of the major tasks of this Authority in the year 2007 was to

    prepare for the amalgamation of CITA and the Construction Industry

    Council (the Council) scheduled for 1 January 2008. The statutoryfunctions performed by this Authority will then become those of the

    Council. Some of the functions will be taken up by the Construction

    Industry Council Training Academy, which will continue to provide

    the services rendered by this Authority in the past three decades. In

    the second half of the year, this Authority set up a working group on

    amalgamation to ensure that every matter in connection with the

    amalgamation could be smoothly implemented.

    Being the last Chairman of this Authority, I would like to take

    this opportunity to review its work in carrying out its statutory

    functions, together with its developments over the past three decades:

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    adopt a sandwich training mode. These measures will serve to

    strengthen the training contents; and to enable the trainees to acquire

    the supervision and management skills of construction supervisorsas well as practical experience before they join the industry on full-

    time employ. New promotion strategies will be formulated to attract

    young persons with high calibre to join the construction training.

    Tra de Tests a nd Construction W ork ers Registration System

    To complement the Construction Workers Registration System

    (CWRS) expected to be introduced soon by the Government, this

    Authority continued to expand in the year the scope of its trade testing

    programme for skilled and semi-skilled workers. Those who passed

    the tests would be issued certificates certifying their standards of

    skills. They would be able to register as skilled or semi-skilled

    workers accordingly. The Authority has also completed the vettingof the contents and requirements for all designated trades in the

    building and civil engineering sector for which a person may be

    registered as a registered skilled worker and registered semi-skilled

    worker under the proposed CWRS. Up to the end of April 2004, a

    total of 29,634 and 29,494 workers passed the trade tests and

    intermediate trade tests respectively.

    To assist the workers in preparation for taking the trade tests,

    the Authority proposed to produce compact discs to make known

    the contents of the practical tests; and to publish the questions of the

    written part with answers for workers to do revision before taking

    the written tests. As this Authority has agreed a few years ago to

    assume the role of registration body under the proposed CWRS,

    relevant representations and observations were submitted during the

    consultation stage of the legislative process in the year.

    Amendments to Ordinance for Levy on Electr ical andM echanical W orks

    The Legislative Council passed in March 2004 the Construction

    Industry Levy (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2004,

    empowering this Authority to collect levies from Electrical and

    Mechanical (E&M) works for the provision of related training and

    trade tests. The Authority studied several options for implementing

    the expanded training and trade testing functions for E&M workersin the construction industry. The Vocational Training Council was

    subsequently appointed as an agent for CITA in the provision of

    these E&M training courses and trade tests for three years initially.

    An agreement was signed by both parties at the end of March 2004.

    Meanwhile, this Authority would formulate the strategies and develop

    long term plans for the trade tests and skills enhancement programmes

    for the E&M workers in the construction industry.

    Construction Industry Council Bill

    In its report published in 2001, the Construction Industry Review

    Committee recommended to establish an industry co-ordinating body.

    The functions of this statutory body would include: to tender advice

    Estab lishme nt a nd M a intena nce of Industrial Tra iningCentres

    This Authority was established in September 1975 by theenactment of the Industrial Training (Construction Industry)

    Ordinance, and the levy collected from construction works undertaken

    in Hong Kong was then spent on establishing and maintaining

    industrial training centres to provide training courses for the

    construction industry. Upon establishment of the first training centre

    in Kowloon Bay in June 1977, the first batch of trainees were enrolled

    and over 500 basic craft trainees completed training in the following

    year. With the boom in the economy in the 80s, this Authority set

    up its second training centre in Kwai Chung in 1982 and its third

    training centre in Aberdeen in 1989. Following the commencement

    of the operation of the fourth training centre in Sheung Shui, and the

    takeover of the training activities of the Aberdeen Training Centre,the Aberdeen Training Centre was renamed as the Management

    Training and Trade Testing Centre, and started to offer various kinds

    of part-time management and safety training courses and to coordinate

    the trade testing programme.

    This Authority initially ran only one training centre and now

    operates a total of four training and trade testing centres. Besides, it

    also established four outdoor training grounds on land granted by

    the government to provide practical training space for trainees and

    to conduct various types of trade and certification tests. To better

    utilize the spatial resources, this Authority conducted a thorough

    review of the usage of the centres and the outdoor training grounds

    in recent years. The types of training courses and trade tests to beconducted in the premises were redefined in 2007 so that the training

    and trade testing could be more effectively conducted.

    Provision o f Training Courses for Construction Ind ustry

    In its early days, the Authority only provided basic craft courses

    and short courses for training, respectively, youngsters who had

    completed F.3 and adults who intended to join the construction

    industry. From 1980 onwards, it offered a supervisor/technician

    training programme for F.5 graduates. In the mid-90s, in response

    to the development of the industry and the new legislative

    requirements, the Authority introduced numerous continuing

    education courses for in-service construction practitioners. Thecoverage of its training provisions was then extended from pre-

    vocational to in-service training. The variety of the training courses

    was also broadened from the teaching of craft skills to the imparting

    of management know-how, safety knowledge, supervisory theories

    and the like. At present, this Authority offers more than a hundred

    types of training courses for persons intending to join the industry

    and for in-service practitioners of various ranks.

    After in-depth discussion with related government departments

    and organisations, subsequent to a serious crane incident in late July

    2007, the Authority, in addition to offering regular courses, introduced

    the Tower Crane Worker Silver Card Course. The first class was

    then launched in August for in-service workers. Up to the end of

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    and make recommendations to Government on strategic matters,

    major policies and legislative proposals that may affect or are

    connected with the construction industry; to promote the industryson-going development and improvement; to formulate codes of

    conduct; to encourage research activities and the use of innovative

    techniques, to name a few. The Government submitted the

    Construction Industry Council (CIC) Bill to the Legislative Council

    in early 2004. Upon passing of the Bill, the CIC will be established

    and this Authority will then be subsumed and become a subsidiary

    body under the CIC, and continue to assume the training and trade

    testing role and functions. Collection of levies will come under the

    CIC. In the year, this Authority also offered comments during the

    legislative process of the said Bill, and rendered advice on

    enhancement to the levy collection system and other provisions.

    Open and Proactive Leadership to Accomplish Our Visiona nd M ission

    To meet the Authoritys new challenges, all new and re-

    appointed Members and management staff joined me in a brain-

    storming session in end November 2003. We reviewed our vision

    and mission, and agreed on the following seven objectives for the

    coming year:

    the Board to set clear and definite work objectives, gain the

    commitment of all staff who will dedicate to accomplishing

    the goals;

    to establish a reliable and effective mechanism which

    enhances the process of dissemination of information andpromotes two-way communications;

    to unify the employment terms and conditions and to

    complete the review on the staff appraisal system;

    to complete the review on staff remuneration and benefits;

    management staff to lead all staff to develop an enlightened,

    cooperative, creative and positive work culture;

    to formulate a plan for comprehensive review of the training

    and trade testing functions, and to complete major revamps;

    and

    to review and redesign all major work processes and to

    review the deployment of resources for optimum uses.

    The management staff immediately initiated action plans to

    achieve the above objectives. Up to now, firstfruits were evident in

    many areas. As regards the formulation and implementation of the

    work objectives, the Board and the management have established

    effective communication mechanism. The Efficiency Enhancement

    Committee continues to monitor their implementation and revises

    them as and when necessary. In respect of staff communication, all

    staff members were invited to attend a briefing on the seven work

    objectives set for the year 2004 following the brain-storming session.

    Besides, regular meetings of the Management Committee, Staff

    Consultative Committee, and individual training centres were

    resumed.

    2007, a total of 20 classes were conducted and over 340 workers

    were trained. Moreover, this Authority also thoroughly considered

    offering a series of training courses in relation to the operation ofcranes, and planned to offer seven such courses in the years to come.

    These included the Construction Materials Rigger Silver Card Course,

    launched in October 2007, which by years end comprised a total of

    nine classes, catering to more than 240 trainees. In addition, in line

    with the growing interest of the community in heritage preservation

    and repair, the Authority offered an Introductory Course on

    Conservation Built Heritage. The Authority will actively pursue the

    development of other training courses in relation to the preservation

    of heritage.

    Endeavours by the government to introduce the Qualifications

    Framework, and the 3+3+4 new senior secondary academic structure

    to be implemented in the 2009/10 school year, will affect intakes ofthe Basic Craft Courses and Supervisor/Technician Programme,

    because most Form 3 students would be directly admitted to Form 4

    and Form 5 graduates to Form 6. The Authority continued to actively

    review the training courses, including training content, level, mode,

    admission requirements and paths for further studies, in order to meet

    future developments.

    From 1977 to the end of 2007, this Authority trained a total of

    1.16 million man times, out of which over 60,000 man times

    completed the full-time courses and 1.1 million man times the part-

    time courses. This clearly evidenced the popularity of the training

    courses.

    Certifica tion and Tra de Tests for Construction W ork ers

    Since 1990, this Authority has been conducting trade tests for

    construction craftsmen of six main trades. From 1998 onwards we

    offered intermediate trade tests for semi-skilled construction workers

    to ascertain the standards of their skills. Over this period, the number

    of trades covered by the Authoritys Trade Testing Scheme increased

    gradually in line with the contractual requirement that public works

    projects must engage a certain percentage of qualified craftsmen on

    construction sites. Later, we actively increased the number of building

    and civil engineering trades covered by the Trade Testing Scheme

    so as to complement the implementation of the construction workers

    registration system by the government. At present, the number oftrades available for trade tests and intermediate trade tests has

    increased to 54 and 28 respectively. In addition, from 1993 onwards,

    we conducted certification tests and certification courses cum tests

    for construction plant operators. These construction plants included

    gondolas, builders lifts, cranes and load-shifting machines.

    Subsequent to the amendment to the Ordinance, from 2005

    onwards the Authority has introduced intermediate trade tests and

    trade tests for a total of 12 construction related E&M trades.

    By the end of 2007, a total of 63,000 trade tests and 46,000

    intermediate trade tests were conducted for the building and civil

    engineering trades. Whereas, 1,800 trade tests and 11,000

    intermediate trade tests in total were conducted for the construction

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    For the staff appraisal system, I was given to understand that a

    review on the existing appraisal system, the format of the appraisal

    forms and the mechanism of awarding annual increment were nearcompletion. Proposed changes would be submitted shortly for the

    consideration of the relevant Committee. In line with the overall

    work objectives of the Authority, the management is in the process

    of developing a strategic human resources management plan and a

    systematic staff training and development scheme.

    Whilst the consultancy study on the remuneration, benefits and

    employment conditions of the staff is still on-going, the management

    has taken measures to contain the number of staff through flexible

    and optimal deployment of staff. The related Committee would soon

    initiate an overall review of the rationale for and the amount of

    existing allowance with a view to bringing them in line with prevailing

    practices in Hong Kong.

    Since last December, the management adopted an open and

    proactive attitude at work, which should cascade down to all levels

    of staff. It also took a holistic and realistic approach in implementing

    the policy proposals and work plans. This would help developing

    an open and positive work culture. Regarding the comprehensive

    review and rationalization of major work processes, individual cost

    centres have completed the review of existing processes within their

    responsibilities, and was in the midst of streamlining and proofreading

    them.

    I am confident that with the solid experience gained over the

    years in carrying out reforms and with the full support of all membersof staff, we will achieve the desirable outcomes relevant to the work

    objectives set by the Authority.

    In line with the expanded statutory functions, the membership

    of this Authority will be changed to include representatives from the

    Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Ltd.

    and the Union for Electrical and Mechanical Workers in the

    construction industry. The end of the term of office of the current

    Board Members will be advanced to the 31st May 2004. I would

    like to thank my fellow Board Members for their invaluable advice

    on the formulation of policies and mid- to long-term development

    plans of the Authority. Not least for their active participation in thework of various committees in steering the implementation of major

    work plans and policies. On behalf of the Authority, I would like to

    record our gratitude to Mr. Wong Man-kai who will leave us at the

    end of May 2004, and those members who retired in September 2003.

    They included Mr. Louis H.W. Wong, Mr. Dominic K.K. Lam, Mr.

    Fung Kin-chor and Dr. Howard C.H. Cheng; Mr. Chow Tung-shan,

    the public officer who left the Board on transfer to another division

    within his department; and Mr. Gordon W.F. Cho, the long-serving

    Board Member who has taken up the post of Executive Director since

    December 2003. I would also like to welcome Mr. Wan Koon-sun

    who will join the Board in the coming June representing electrical

    and mechanical workers in the construction industry.

    related E&M trades. In addition, the number of certification tests

    and re-validation tests conducted for construction plant operators

    reached 70,000 man times.The Authority regularly reviewed and expanded the contents

    and types of the trade tests with the related government departments

    and organisations connected with the construction industry. In order

    to enable construction workers to gain the recognised qualifications,

    so as to meet the legislative requirements and enhance the status of

    construction workers, the Authority offered the required trade tests

    to set standards for various construction skills. Certification of the

    skill levels of frontline construction workers will also help enhance

    the overall quality of local construction work.

    Placement of Persons Completing Training Courses

    To enable trainees to put into practice what they have learntand to join the construction industry upon graduation, this Authority

    has been providing placement services for graduates of the full-time

    training courses. In 1998, this Authority launched the Employers

    Subsidy Scheme, encouraging employers to employ full-time

    graduates on a monthly-salary basis, to sign apprenticeship contracts

    with them and to provide in-service training. The Trainees Placement

    Section of this Authority regularly visits and counsels the apprentices

    to provide support. Since its launch, the Scheme has been well

    received by the employers, and has enabled a significant number of

    graduates to complete systematic on-the-job training.

    Up to the end of 2007, a total of 1,994 applications for subsidy

    were approved and 1,325 apprenticeship contracts were processedby the Authority. We continue to provide the placement service to

    assist graduates to join the construction industry so as to replenish

    the construction workforce.

    Construction W ork ers Registration

    The Authority was appointed as the Registrar of Construction

    Workers in February 2005, and started to offer registration services

    for construction workers through the Workers Registration Office

    established in late 2005. The number of applications for registration

    submitted by construction workers surged drastically before the

    implementation, on 1st September 2007, of the Phase One Prohibition,

    under which employers are prohibited from employing unregisteredworkers to carry out construction work on construction sites. This

    Authority immediately put in place a number of contingency

    measures. Resources and manpower were swiftly redeployed to

    process over 20,000 applications for registration within a month, to

    enable workers to register before the deadline.

    By the end of the year 2007, over 220,000 applications for

    registration were processed by the Workers Registration Office, and

    efforts continue to be made to complement enforcement of the

    Construction Workers Registration Ordinance.

    In addition, at the request of the Construction Workers

    Registration Authority (CWRA), four specified training courses were

    offered specifically for registered skilled workers (provisional) in

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    In closing, I would like to express my wholehearted appreciation

    to members of staff of this Authority who worked hard and withdedication, and to the HKSAR Government and the industry for their

    unfailing support. I sincerely hope that we can continue to count on

    your support and guidance in discharging our existing and expanded

    functions.

    Edgar C.P. Kwan

    Chairman

    May 2004

    July 2007, as a route other than the passing of relevant trade tests for

    these workers to apply for registration as Registered Skilled Workers.

    Up to the end of 2007, a total of 66 provisionally registered skilledworkers successfully completed the assessment and became eligible

    to apply for registration as Registered Skilled Workers for the trades

    concerned. This Authority will continue working with CWRA to

    monitor provisional registration of the remaining trades and to

    introduce the required specified training courses for workers to

    complete within three years after provisional registration, so that they

    can apply for registration as Registered Skilled Workers.

    Financial Situation

    Construction levy collected from the local construction projects

    is the main source of operating income of the Authority. Throughout

    the years, this Authority has strived to put in place various cost savingand efficiency enhancement measures to maintain a healthy financial

    condition so that its operations would not be affected by the ups and

    downs of the economy. Up to the end of 2007, the funds of this

    Authority amounted to $380 million, and according to the

    Construction Industry Council Ordinance all assets of this Authority

    had to be vested in the Council on 1 January 2008 to carry out its

    statutory functions for the construction industry.

    Looking Ahead

    I was appointed as Chairman of the Construction Industry

    Training Authority in September 2003 and since then I have submitted

    four reports on behalf of CITA. This report will be the last reportsubmitted by this Authority. I am deeply grateful to all Authority

    Members and to the staff of CITA for their support, which resulted

    in smooth implementation of various policies over the years.

    Services provided by CITA over the last thirty years and the

    efforts made in training and trade testing work have gained wide

    recognition. With the imminent amalgamation with the Council, I

    strongly believe that all the staff of CITA will continue to work hard

    and discharge their duties diligently and enthusiastically in the new

    organisation. I would also like to thank again all the past Authority

    Members who served on CITA.

    In closing, I on behalf of CITA would like to express sincere

    gratitude to the industry and the HKSAR Government for theirstaunch support over the past three decades, without which this

    Authority would not have been able to effectively carry out its

    functions and to contribute to the development of the construction

    industry.

    Ir Edgar C.P. Kwan, JP

    Chairman

    December 2007

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    Constitution

    The Construction Industry Training Authority was established

    in September 1975 by the enactment of the Industrial Training(Construction Industry) Ordinance 1975. The membership of the

    Authority consists of a Chairman and twelve members, all of whom

    are appointed by the Chief Executive. Consequent upon the

    enactment of the Construction Industry Levy (Miscellaneous

    Amendments) Ordinance 2004 on 1 June 2004, the constitution of

    the Authority was revised as follows:

    2 shall be persons nominated by the Hong Kong Construction

    Association Limited;

    1 shall be a person nominated by the Hong Kong Federation

    of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors Limited;

    1 shall be a person nominated by the Hong Kong Institute of

    Architects;

    1 shall be a person nominated by the Hong Kong Institute of

    Surveyors;

    1 shall be a structural engineer nominated by the Hong Kong

    Institution of Engineers;

    1 shall be a civil engineer nominated by the Hong Kong

    Institution of Engineers;

    1 shall be a person who holds office as an official of a trade

    union representing workers employed in the construction

    industry;

    1 shall be a person who holds office as an official of a trade

    union representing electrical and mechanical workers

    employed in the construction industry;

    1 shall be a person nominated by the Executive Director of

    the Vocational Training Council;

    2 shall be public officers; and

    1 shall be a person, not being a public officer or person

    connected with any of the above-mentioned organizations.

    Statutory Functions

    According to the Industrial Training (Construction Industry)

    (Amendment) Bill 1999, the functions of the Authority include :

    to establish and maintain industrial training centres;

    to provide training courses for the construction industry; to assist, including to assist by way of financial provision,

    in the placement of persons completing training courses;

    to make recommendations with respect to the rate of levy;

    and

    to assess the standards of skills achieved by anyone in any

    kind of work involving or in connection with the construction

    industry, conduct examinations or tests, issue or award

    certificate of competence and establish the standards to be

    achieved in respect of such work.

    Introduction

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    Besides, the Authority is appointed in February 2005, under

    the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance enacted in 2004,

    as the Registrar of Construction Workers to perform the functions ofand exercise the powers conferred on the Registrar.

    Committees

    In the year, the Authority discharged its functions with the

    advice of the following standing committees, which comprised

    members of the Authority and co-opted members:

    Committee on Construction Training Courses

    Committee on Building and Facilities Management

    Committee on Administration and Human Resources

    Committee on Finance and Investment

    Committee on Levy

    Committee on Trade Testing

    Committee on Employers Subsidy Scheme

    There are also a number of boards of studies and course advisory

    committees to advise on the relevant training programmes. The terms

    of reference and membership of the Standing Committees are given

    in Appendix 2 whilst those of the Boards of Studies and Course

    Advisory Committees are given in Appendix 3.

    Meetings

    The Authority met 5 times, and its Standing Committees 14

    times during the year 2007. The Boards of Studies and various Course

    Advisory Committees also held a total of 3 and 28 meetingsrespectively.

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    Membership(from 1 June 2006 to 31 December 2007)

    Chairman

    Ir KWAN Chi-ping, Edgar, JP

    Nominated by the Hong Kong Construction Association Limited

    Members

    Ir LEE Wing-kee, Stephen

    Nominated by the Hong Kong Construction Association Limited

    Mr. CHONG Kin-lit, Paul

    Nominated by the Hong Kong Federation of Electrical and

    Mechanical Contractors Limited

    Mr. CHOI Wun-hing, Donald

    Nominated by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects

    Mr. CHENG Wai-hung, Nelson

    Nominated by the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors

    Ir KWAN Po-jen, Helen

    A structural engineer nominated by the Hong Kong Institution of

    Engineers

    Ir YU Sai-yen

    A civil engineer nominated by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers

    Mr. CHOI Chun-wa, MH

    An official of a trade union representing workers employed in the

    construction industry

    Mr. WAN Koon-sun, MH

    An official of a trade union representing electrical and mechanical

    workers employed in the construction industry

    Ir Dr. Chan Wan-ching, Lawrence (from June 2007)

    Ir FU Siu-pun (up to May 2007)

    Nominated by the Executive Director of the Vocational Training

    Council

    Mr. TONG Sek-por, David

    Representing the Secretary for Development

    Mr. TSO Sing-hin

    Representing the Commissioner for Labour

    Ir TAM King-leung

    A person not being a public officer or person connected with any of

    the organizations mentioned above

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    Chairman and M embers of the Authority

    Ir Edgar C.P . K wan, JP

    M r. Paul K .L. C hong Ir Stephen W.K . Lee Ir Tam K ing Leung

    M r. Donald W.H. C hoiIr Helen P.J. K wanM r. Nelson W.H . C heng

    M r. C hoi C hun Wa, M H M r. Tso Sing H in M r. Wan K oon Sun, M H

    Ir Fu Siu PunIr D r. C han Wan C hingM r. D avid S.P. TongIr Yu Sai Yen

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    Chairm a n a nd M emb ers of the Construction Industry Training A uthority

    (First row from left): Mr. Tso Sing Hin; Ir Tam King Leung; Ir Edgar C.P. Kwan, JP (Chairman); Mr. Wan Koon Sun, MH; Mr. David S.P. Tong

    (Back row from left): Ir Yu Sai Yen; Ir Dr. Chan Wan Ching; Mr. Nelson W.H. Cheng

    (Absent): Mr. Paul K.L. Chong; Ir Stephen W.K. Lee; I r Helen P.J. Kwan; Mr. Donald W.H. Choi; Mr. Choi Chun Wa, MH

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    Executive Director

    Mr. Charles D.Y. Wong

    Administrative Staff

    Mr. Wong Chi Lap - Senior Manager (Safety Training & Trade Testing)

    Mr. Chu Yin Lin - Senior Manager (Construction Training)

    Accounts Department

    Mr. Alfred M.H. Wong - Accounting Manager

    Mr. Fong Kam Shan - Information Technology Manager

    Secretariat

    Mrs. Sophie S.Y. Leung - Secretary to Authority

    Human Resources Department

    Miss Eliva M.Y. Au* - Human Resources Manager

    Kowloon Bay Training Centre

    Mr. Mok Peng Lam - Centre Manager

    Kwai Chung Training Centre

    Mr. Chu Yin Lin - Senior Manager (Construction Training)

    Sheung Shui Training Centre

    Mr. Ho Siu Kwan - Centre Manager

    Management and Safety Training Centre

    Mr. John W.T. Leung - Centre Manager

    Trade Testing Centre

    Mr. Edmond Y.W. Lam - Centre Manager

    Trainees Recruitment and Placement Department

    Mrs. Olivia M.C. Yiu - Trainees Recruitment & Placement Manager

    Workers Registration Office

    Mr. Law Sai Kit - Registration Manager

    Executive Director and Administrative Staff(As at December 2007)

    * Ms Au left in January 2008

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    Essence of Tra ining O pera tions a nd M a na gem ent

    Administration and Accounting

    At the headquarters of the Authority are the Secretariat,

    Accounts Department, Human Resources Department, TraineesRecruitment and Placement Department, and the Construction

    Workers Registration Office.

    The Secretariat provides committee services and administrative

    support. The Accounts Department oversees the financial operations

    of the Authority, and the assessment and collection of levy from

    contractors. The Human Resources Department is responsible for

    the management of human resources of the Authority.

    The Trainees Recruitment and Placement Department is

    responsible for the recruitment of trainees and the provision of

    placement services to persons completing CITA training courses.

    The Construction Workers Registration Office, which was established

    subsequent to CITA being appointed as the Registrar of Construction

    Workers, provides registration services to construction workers.

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    Training and Trade Testing Centres

    The Authority manages four construction training and trade

    testing centres located in Kowloon Bay, Kwai Chung, Sheung Shui

    and Aberdeen.

    The Kowloon Bay Training Centre, opened in 1977, has a total

    floor area of about 12,500 square metres. This Centre together with

    the Sheung Shui Training Centre, which commenced operations in

    1995 and has a total floor area of about 24,000 square metres, are

    mainly used for conducting the Basic Craft Courses and the

    Construction Supervisor/Technician Programme. Established in

    1982, the Kwai Chung Training Centre has a total floor area of around

    15,000 square metres. Most of the full-time adult short courses are

    conducted in this Centre. The Management Training and Trade

    Testing Centre commenced operation in early 1995 with a total floor

    area of about 15,400 square metres. The Secretariat, Accounts

    Department, Human Resources Department, Trainees Recruitment

    and Placement Department, Construction Workers Registration

    Office and two centres, i.e. the Management and Safety Training

    Centre and the Trade Testing Centre are also housed in this Centre.

    The Management and Safety Training Centre offers a wide range of

    continuing education courses and safety training courses. The Trade

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    Testing Centre conducts trade tests for construction craftsmen and

    intermediate trade tests for semi-skilled workers.

    This Authority also operates a total of 4 outdoor training

    grounds. Two of them are located in Sheung Yuet Road and WaiLok Street in Kowloon Bay, with a total plan area of around 27,000

    square metres. These two training grounds are mainly used for

    conducting short courses, and for outdoor practical training of Basic

    Craft Courses and Construction Supervisor/Technician Programme.

    There is another training ground in Shatin with a plan area of around

    24,000 square metres, where the certification tests of various

    construction plants and related short courses are conducted. Some

    trade testing activities are also conducted in the Shatin Training

    Ground. Situated in Tuen Mun, the fourth outdoor training ground

    has a plan area of 12,000 square metres. Certification tests for

    loadshifting machinery operations and related short courses are

    conducted in this training ground.

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    Staff

    At the end of the year 2007, the Authority employed a total of

    373 full-time staff. An organization chart of the Authority is givenin Appendix 1.

    During the year under review, a total of about $377,000 was

    spent on financing over 1,100 staff development programmes, which

    included industrial attachment, site visits, short courses and seminars,

    courses/trade tests taken to fulfill CITAs requirements, and courses

    on a part-time basis leading to a qualification.

    Training Courses

    The Authoritys training centres conduct three major categories

    of training courses the one-year or two-year full-time courses, full-

    time adult short courses and part-time courses. Safety awareness,safe practices at work and occupational ethics have been integrated

    into these training courses.

    A. One-year or Two-year Full-time Courses

    The one-year or two-year full-time courses, which include the

    Basic Craft Courses for Secondary Three school-leavers, and the

    Construction Supervisor/Technician Programme for Secondary Five

    school-leavers, aim at training new blood craftsmen and technicians/

    supervisors.

    (1) Basic Craf t Courses

    The nine Basic Craft Courses on offer include the following:

    Two-year programmes

    Bricklaying , Plastering and Tiling

    Carpentry and Joinery

    Painting, Decorating and Sign-writing

    Plumbing and Pipe-fitting

    Metal Works

    Marble-laying

    One-year programmes

    Construction Plant Maintenance and Repairs

    Electrical Installation

    Construction ScaffoldingTrainees enrolled on the Basic Craft Courses have to major in

    one of the above nine key trades according to their interests and

    abilities. Trainees learn the basic skills and knowledge of the selected

    trade through practical training in workshops and underlying theories

    in classroom. Two-year courses will also include site practice at

    different stages of training for trainees to acquire site experience.

    Besides, they have to learn another related trade.

    The above trades of the Basic Craft Courses, with the exception

    of Marble-laying and Metal Works, are all designated trades under

    the Apprenticeship Ordinance. On completion of their training with

    the Authority, trainees in the designated trades who are under 19

    years of age are required by law to enter into apprenticeship contracts

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    with their employers to receive more organized on-the-job training.

    Having completed their apprenticeship and the associated technical

    education, trainees will be recognized as a qualified craftsman in therespective trades.

    In 2007/2008 training year, the total number of training places

    for the one-year and two-year Basic Craft Courses was 631.

    (2 ) Construction Supervisor / Technician Program meThis Programme consists of three 2-year diploma courses in

    building construction, civil engineering and building services; and

    one 1-year certificate course for quantity measurement technician.

    Students would be sponsored to take a relevant IVE Part-time Higher

    Diploma Course during the course of study at CITA. Site practice

    will be arranged at different stages of training for trainees of 2-year

    diploma courses to acquire site experience. On completion of this

    programme, each trainee is expected to work with a contractor as a

    supervisor/technician trainee to acquire hands-on practical

    experience. All graduates whilst employed will have to complete

    the relevant part-time Higher Diploma Course at the Hong Kong

    Institute of Vocational Education to become a qualified supervisor/

    technician.

    In the 2007/2008 training year, the total number of training

    places for the three 2-year diploma supervisor courses and the 1-

    year certificate technician course was 249.

    B. Full-time Adult Short Courses

    Short courses are designed for adults who wish to acquire aspecific construction skill in a relatively short period to enable them

    to join the industry. The course duration varies from several weeks

    to 6 months and classes are conducted on a need basis. In 2007/2008

    training year, a total of about 900 full-time Adult Short Courses

    training places would be provided.

    C. Part-time Training Courses

    The Authority offers a wide range of part-time courses. These

    courses are intended for in-service construction personnel who seek

    re-training and up-grading in technical skills, or supervisory or

    technical knowledge. Whilst some of these part-time courses areopen to the public, some are tailor-made to suit the specific needs of

    individual construction companies and other related organizations.

    The part-time courses offered by the Authority can be classified

    into five main categories:

    (i) Skills Enhancement;

    (ii) Safety Related;

    (iii) Technology and Supervision Related;

    (iv) Trade Test Related; and

    (v) Commissioned.

    Some training courses in categories (ii), (iii) and (iv) are

    recognized by a number of Hong Kong professional institutions as

    satisfying their Continuing Professional Development Requirements.

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    Trade Tests and Certification Tests

    At present, the trade tests and certification tests conducted by

    the Authority are as follows:

    (A ) Tr a d e Te s ts Fo r C o n s tr u c ti o n C r a f tsm e n a n dIntermediate Trade Tests

    The Authority has been conducting trade tests for craftsmen of

    the construction industry since 1990. In the year 2007, the

    number of building and civil engineering trades covered by the

    Trade Testing Scheme and Intermediate Trade Testing Scheme

    were 54 and 28 respectively. To complement the

    implementation of the Construction Workers Registration

    Ordinance, the Authority provides relevant trade tests for those

    trades designated under the Ordinance.

    In the year under review, the Authority conducted a total of

    4,663 trade tests and 2,837 intermediate trade tests with 2,631

    and 2,081 man-times having passed the respective tests. Details

    of the trade tests and intermediate trade tests conducted and

    their respective passing rates are given in Appendices 4 and 5.

    (B) Cert i f ica t ion Tests a nd Cert i f ica t ion Courses ForConstruction Plant Operators

    Since 1993, the Authority has been conducting certification tests

    and certification courses with certification tests for construction

    plant operators. At present, the certification tests and courses

    on offer include:

    (i) certification tests and re-validation tests for crane operators;

    (ii) certification course and re-validation course for person

    working on temporary suspended working platform

    (gondola);

    (iii) certification course and re-validation course for operator

    working on builders lift; and

    (iv) certification tests and re-validation tests for loadshifting

    machine operators.

    In the year under review, the Authority conducted a total of

    2,072 certification tests / certification courses and 2,339 re-

    validation tests / re-validation courses for construction plantoperators with 1,791 and 2,316 man-times having passed the

    respective tests / courses.

    (C) Trade Tests for Electrical a nd M echanical W orkers andIntermediate Trade Tests

    The Construction Industry Levy (Miscellaneous Amendments)

    Ordinance passed in 2004 empowers CITA to collect levies

    from Electrical and Mechanical works to fund the provision of

    related trade tests and training. The Authority started to offer

    intermediate trade tests and trade tests for construction related

    E&M trades respectively in January and November 2005.

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    In the year 2007, the Authority conducted a total of 835 trade

    tests and 3,203 intermediate trade tests for E&M workers with

    496 and 2,570 man-times having passed the respective tests.

    At the commencement of the 2007/2008 training year, the

    recruitment results of the Basic Craft Courses were satisfactory. The

    total number of trainees on roll of the Basic Craft Courses was 401,

    representing 91% of the total capacity of 440. By end of December

    2007, the total number of trainees still on roll was 279. The dropout

    rate is 30%.

    At the start of the programme, the number of trainees on roll of

    the Construction Supervisor / Technician Programme was 141,

    representing 100% of the capacity of 140. Up to the end of 2007, the

    number of trainees on roll was 117 and the dropout rate is 17%.

    From 1 September to 31 December 2007, the total intake of

    trainees on full-time adult short courses was 253, against the capacity

    of 300 planned for the same period.

    In the 2007/2008 training year, the Authority provides a monthly

    basic allowance of $1,400 to trainee of the one-year Basic Craft

    courses and first-year trainees of the two-year Basic Craft courses.

    The monthly allowance will be slightly increased for trainees in their

    second year of the Basic Craft studies.

    For the Construction Supervisor/ Technician Programme, eachtrainee will receive a monthly allowance of $2,165.

    With the exception of the short course on Computer Aided

    Drafting, all trainees of the full-time adult short courses will receive

    a daily allowance of $60.

    At the end of the 2006/2007 training year, 174 trainees of the

    two-year Basic Craft Courses, 157 trainees of the one-year Basic

    Craft Courses, 78 trainees of the two-year Construction Supervisor

    Diploma Programme, 22 trainees of the one-year Construction

    Certificate Technician Programme and 656 trainees of the Full-timeAdult Short Courses completed their training.

    In the year under report, the placement results of the graduates

    of full-time courses of the Authority was considered satisfactory.

    Of the 1,087 graduates of various full-time training courses, 1,049

    or 97% of them were placed within the first three months after

    graduation. Details of the placement results of the graduates for the

    2006/2007 training year are given in Appendix 6.

    Open Day and Career Talks

    To complement trainees recruitment efforts, centres offering

    Basic Craft Courses will hold Open Days annually in the first quarter

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    to inform members of the general public, community organizations

    and secondary schools of the various training programmes provided

    by the Authority.In addition, CITA staff regularly visit secondary schools to give

    talks on training courses available to youngsters as well as job

    opportunities in the construction industry.

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    Comm ittee Reports

    Committee on Construction Training Courses

    During the year under review, the Committee met three times

    to assess the capacity of training courses and to examine the proposalfor new courses in line with the needs of the construction industry.

    In early 2007, the Committee, having reviewed the trainee

    enrolment and placement rates for 2006/07, decided to continue to

    follow the recommendations contained in the Report of the Strategic

    Development Plan, as endorsed by the Authority in August 2005,

    for setting the training capacity of full-time and part-time courses in

    the 2007/2008 training year. In addition, the Committee also agreed

    to make reference to the recent Consumer Price Index in revising

    upwards the trainee allowances of all full-time courses, in an attempt

    to attract new trainees and to encourage existing trainees to learn

    diligently.

    Regarding the introduction of new training courses, the

    Committee discussed and agreed to offer an Introductory Course on

    Conservation Built Heritage. The course, aimed at enhancing the

    knowledge of in-service practitioners in heritage conservation, would

    be in line with the training needs arising from the growing interest of

    the community in heritage preservation and repair.

    As for the provision of new safety training courses, the

    Committee in mid-2007 approved the introduction of a revalidation

    course to cater for the needs of construction personnel who had

    completed the one-day Gas Welding Safety Training Course and

    had to retake the course upon expiry of the five-year validity period

    of their certificates. In response to the tower crane incident in July

    2007, the Committee approved the introduction of a two-day Tower

    Crane Worker (Installation, Dismantling, and Lifting & Lowering)

    Silver Card Course to further enhance the safety of tower crane

    operation. In addition, the Committee also approved the introduction

    of a Construction Materials Rigger Silver Card Course in October

    2007 to enhance the safety awareness of in-service riggers. In order

    to continue to meet the training needs of the industry in the safe

    operation of tower cranes, the Committee accepted the proposal to

    introduce in stages, in the coming years, a number of relevant training

    courses including a training course for competent persons in

    supervising erection, dismantling and alteration of tower cranes, a

    basic skills course in installing tower cranes for junior workmen,

    and a training course for derrick crane operators.

    Committee on Building and Facilities Management

    In the year under review, a number of decisions were made

    through circulation of papers on repair/maintenance works to be

    carried out in training centres. Towards the end of the year, the

    Committee met once to review the progress of these works and of IT

    development projects.

    In the first half of the year, the Committee accepted the tender

    lists in relation to works projects approved in late 2006 and early

    2007, including the demolition of two practice structures and the

    renovation of two workshops at the Kowloon Bay Training Centre;

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    together with the replacement of soil pipes and the roof waterproofing

    system at the Kwai Chung Training Centre. Related contracts had

    been vetted and then awarded by the Committee, and all the aboveprojects were completed in the year.

    In respect of the proposal made in 2006, to phase in the

    maintenance and repair of all lift installations in all CITA centres

    under one term contract, the tender was awarded in the first quarter

    of the year 2007, upon receiving approval from the Committee. Since

    then, the maintenance and repair of lift installations in the Kowloon

    Bay Training Centre, the Sheung Shui Training Centre and the

    Management and Trade Testing Centre have been taken over in stages

    by the selected contractor; whereas the take over of the lift in the

    Kwai Chung Training Centre was scheduled for September 2008.

    The Committee also approved a five-year maintenance plan to

    re-paint the external walls of all centres. A proposal to employ aconsultant to re-design the main entrances and lobbies of the centres

    was approved to enhance public interface facilities, particularly in

    regard to the Workers Registration Offices. In view of the

    amalgamation of CITA with the Construction Industry Council on 1

    January 2008, the Committee endorsed the proposal to change the

    signage on the external walls of CITA buildings.

    The Committee also reviewed the progress of a number of IT

    projects including the Trade Test and Training Course Information

    System, Trade Test Management System and Training Course

    Management System, and agreed to reorder the priorities of the

    projects. In addition the Committee approved the IT Security Study

    Project and its related expense, which had been endorsed by the ITWorking Group under the purview of the Committee, in order to

    enhance security of information.

    Committee on Administration and Human Resources

    During the year under review, the Committee met four times to

    continue to discuss and examine various administrative and human

    resources policies.

    The Committee reviewed entry requirements for the posts of

    Lecturer (Architect) and Accountant after consideration of the market

    trend and the needs of the organisation. The purpose was to attract

    the right people. It also reviewed the staff establishment of the threecraft training centres, the Management and Safety Training Centre

    and the Trade Testing Centre, having regard to the training and trade

    testing needs of the industry.

    The Committee proposed to adjust the salaries of staff members,

    with reference to adjustment of civil service pay. The proposal to

    revise upwards the salaries of staff members in rank by 4.62% or

    4.96% from the 1st April 2007 was accepted by the Board of CITA.

    The Committee searched for a suitable candidate to fill the position

    of Executive Director through open recruitment. The successor was

    on board in August 2007.

    Having considered the manpower shortage and recruitment

    difficulties faced by the Information Technology Section, the

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    Committee agreed that the Authority collaborate with the local

    university for sponsorship of final year students to enhance its system

    development. In order to ensure that the job title could reflect theduty of the post, the Committee reviewed job titles at officer grade

    and agreed to revise the titles of Personnel Officer, Administration

    Officer and Executive Assistant to Personnel Officer I, Personnel

    Officer II and Executive Officer respectively, on condition that all

    terms and conditions remained unchanged. The Committee also

    commended eight staff members in recognition of their outstanding

    performance in the year.

    With a view to smooth transition, the Committee reviewed the

    organisations General Insurance and Group Medical Insurance

    Scheme and agreed to extend the relevant policies up to 30 June

    2008. In the Group Medical Insurance Scheme, the maximum

    reimbursement of out-patient benefits (non-network doctors) wasincreased slightly.

    Committee on Finance and Investment

    The total income for the year 2007 was $293.31 million,

    representing an increase of 13.56% when compared with $258.29

    million in 2006. The total expenditure for the year 2007 was $201.01

    million. The operating results for the year showed a net surplus of

    $92.30 million.

    Construction levy, which accounted for about 81.64% of the

    total income of the year, was the main source of income of the

    Authority. It increased by 15.58% from $207.19 million in 2006 to

    $239.46 million in 2007. The increase is mainly due to more income

    received from building and civil engineering works undertaken in

    private sector. The investment and interest income increased by

    26.11% to $14.39 million due to the interest earned from placing

    more time deposits into banks. Course fees and related income is

    another major type of income for the Authority, increased by 10.40%

    from $20.38 million in 2006 to $22.50 million in 2007. The 2007

    trade testing income decreased by 28.59% from $7.59 million in

    2006 to $5.42 million in 2007 due to less workers taking trade tests

    in the year.

    Recurrent expenditure in 2007 increased to $201.01 million

    representing an increase of 5.31% compared with $190.88 millionin 2006. The major items included:-

    Staff costs amounted to $133.59 million in 2007 representing

    a slight increase of 2.26% as compared with $130.64 million

    in 2006. The increase was mainly due to the salary increment

    effective from April 2007

    Training expenses increased from $26.59 million in 2006 to

    $28.85 million in 2007, representing an increase of 8.50%.

    The increase was mainly due to increase in the subsidies

    paid under Employer Subsidy Scheme and the staff costs

    paid to part-time lecturers

    Workshop expenses slightly decreased by 0.95% from

    $11.52 million in 2006 to $11.41 million in 2007

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    General and administrative expenses increased by 24.96%

    from $11.34 million in 2006 to $14.17 million in 2007 which

    was mainly due to the legal and consultancy fee incurredduring the year

    At the end of 2007, the Authority held a total of $386.43 million

    as reserves, an increase of 31.07% over 2006. The Authority

    continued to place most of the funds in time deposits and bonds with

    licensed banks in Hong Kong, and invest a limited sum in listed

    shares.

    In accordance with the Industrial Training (Construction

    Industry) Ordinance, the Authority submitted its annual report for

    the year ended 31 December 2006 to the Government of the Hong

    Kong Special Administrative Region in June 2007, together with

    the audited financial statements for the same period and the auditors

    report. These were subsequently tabled and accepted by theLegislative Council.

    Committee on Levy

    Total levy income of the Authority for the year 2007 was

    $239.46 million. This amount represents an increase of 15.58%

    compared with $207.19 million in 2006. Levies assessed on the value

    of the construction works in the private sector, the public sector and

    the Port & Airport Development were $156.95 million, $76.69 million

    and $5.74 million respectively, representing 65.55%, 32.02% and

    2.40% of the total levy income. In addition, penalty received on

    overdue levy was $0.08 million (0.03% of the total levy income).

    The resolution of the Legislative Council to increase the levy

    rate from 0.25% to 0.4% applies to construction works the tenders

    for which were submitted on or after 10 January 2000. Among the

    total levy income of $239.45 million in 2007, $1.91 million was

    assessed at a rate of 0.25% and $237.54 million was assessed at the

    rate of 0.4%.

    The Government had appointed 1 June 2004 as the date on which

    a levy was to be imposed on the E&M works in the construction

    industry to support the expanded construction related E&M training

    and trade tests. Construction operations the tenders for which were

    submitted after 1 June 2004 would be affected by this amendment.

    On 24 February 2005, CITA was appointed as the Registrarunder the Construction Workers Registration Ordinance (Cap 583)

    for providing registration services for construction workers, and

    performing the levy assessment and collection service for CWRA,

    except for the handling of objection cases. The levy imposed is at

    the rate of 0.03%.

    Committee on Trade Testing

    During the year under review, the Committee met once to

    continue studying the content of the trade tests for individual trades,

    and to monitor the development of various types of trade tests in line

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    with that of the industry. In addition, the Sub-committee on E&M

    Trade Testing under this Committee also met twice in the year to

    review the test contents of E&M trades and to make recommendationsfor consideration by the Committee.

    Whilst maintaining the quality and standard of the trade tests,

    the Committee examined and subsequently accepted the proposal to

    introduce an optional practical test paper for the bar-bending trade,

    which carries a different weighting for the two parts of fixing and

    cut and bend skill-sets of workers to better reflect the actual work

    situation.

    In addition, the Committee reviewed the selection criteria of

    trade test invigilators. As instructors deployed to training centres

    would be transferred to the trade testing centre, to serve as invigilators

    when necessary, the Committee considered that the selection criteria

    of trade test invigilators and instructors should be unified. It wasagreed that, whether or not invigilators and instructors of a trade had

    to go through the technical and/or theoretical assessments in the

    recruitment process would depend on the nature of the different trades.

    In addition, the Committee also had an in-depth discussion over

    possible inclusion of the installation of Brackets in the test paper

    of the trade of Bamboo Scaffolder, to enhance safety awareness of

    in-service practitioners. The Committee also accepted the

    recommendation made by the Sub-committee on E&M Trade Testing

    to revise the written part of the trade test for Mechanical Fitter

    according to the four principles set.

    During the year, the Authority continued to conduct various

    tests for construction practitioners. As at 31 December 2007, a totalof 4,663 trade tests, 2,837 intermediate trade tests, 835 E&M trade

    tests and 3,203 E&M intermediate trade tests were conducted. In

    the meantime, the Authority also conducted a total of 728, 79, 952

    and 313 certification tests respectively for operators of gondolas,

    builders lifts, cranes and loadshifting machines.

    Committee on Employers Subsidy Scheme

    During the year under review, the Committee continued to

    consider and approve applications for subsidy by employers of

    apprentices, and to monitor the implementation and progress of the

    subsidy scheme.In early 2007, the Committee set the qualifications required of

    trainers of construction supervisor/technician apprentices, to be in

    possession of a Higher Certificate/Higher Diploma of related

    disciplines or above, or equivalent professional qualification. This

    would enable prospective employers to better understand the

    Authoritys requirement regarding persons assigned to supervise

    apprentices. In addition, the Committee adjusted the guidelines on

    salary levels for the scheme, in accordance with the level of basic

    salary earned by graduates of the Basic Craft Courses and the Full-

    time Adult Short Courses on the first job in the previous year, so that

    the guidelines would be in line with the salary level of the construction

    industry. Towards the end of the year, the Committee also reviewed

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    and revised the starting points of the monthly basic salary guidelines

    for the reference of employers in remunerating graduates of the

    Construction Supervisor/Technician Programme engaged undercontracts of different duration, having referred to the 2007 Payment

    Adjustment Guidelines for Technician Apprentices issued by the

    Hong Kong Construction Association.

    In the year under review, the Committee approved 153

    applications in total. These included 32 apprenticeship contracts of

    11/2years to three years in duration for Basic Craft graduates and 121

    apprenticeship contracts of 21/2years to four years in duration for

    construction supervisor/technician graduates. Employers of these

    apprentices would receive a monthly subsidy of $1,800 or $2,000

    for each apprentice employed in the first year of the apprenticeship

    contracts. As at 31 December 2007, a total of 146 CITA graduates

    were still receiving apprenticeship training under the scheme.

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    Levy Income

    The Legislative Council passed a resolution on 8 December

    1999 to uplift the rate of construction industry levy imposed under

    the Industrial Training (Construction Industry) Ordinance (Cap. 317)from 0.25% to 0.4%. Construction works the tenders for which were

    submitted on or after 10 January 2000 would be levied based on the

    new rate. However, construction projects the value of which does

    not exceed HK$1 million are exempted.

    Following the amendments to the Industrial Training

    (Construction Industry) Ordinance (ITCIO) which came into

    operation on 1 June 2004, all exempt items previously not leviable

    would be subject to levy assessment and levy in respect of term

    contracts would be assessed based on the aggregate value of all

    construction operations carried out as required by works orders issued

    under a term contract.

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    Independent Auditors ReportTO THE M EM BERS O F

    C O N STRUCTIO N IN DUSTRY CO UN C IL (THE "C O UN C IL")

    (Established under the C onstruction Industry C ouncil O rdinance, Hong K ong

    Special Administrative Region)

    We have audited the financial statements of Construction

    Industry Training Authority (the "Authority") set out on pages 31 to

    49, which comprise the balance sheet as at 31 December 2007, and

    the income and expenditure account, statement of changes in fund

    and reserves and cash flow statement for the year then ended, and a

    summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory

    notes.

    The Councils responsibility for the financialstatements

    The Council is responsible for the preparation and the true and

    fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with

    Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards issued by the Hong Kong

    Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Construction

    Industry Council Ordinance. This responsibility includes designing,

    implementing and maintaining internal control relevant to the

    preparation and the true and fair presentation of the financial

    statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to

    fraud or error; selecting and applying appropriate accounting policies;

    and making accounting estimates that are reasonable in the

    circumstances.

    Auditor's responsibility

    Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial

    statements based on our audit and to report our opinion solely to

    you, as a body, in accordance with section 82(2)(a) of the Construction

    Industry Council Ordinance, and for no other purpose. We do not

    assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person

    for the contents of this report. We conducted our audit in accordance

    with Hong Kong Standards on Auditing issued by the Hong Kong

    Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Those standards require

    that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the

    audit to obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the financialstatements are free from material misstatement.

    An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit

    evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial

    statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor's

    judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material

    misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or

    error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal

    control relevant to the entity's preparation and true and fair

    presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit

    procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the

    purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity's

    internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness

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    of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting

    estimates made by the Authority, as well as evaluating the overall

    presentation of the financial statements.We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient

    and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.

    Opinion

    In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view

    of the state of the Authority's affairs as at 31 December 2007 and of

    its surplus and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with

    Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards and have been properly

    prepared in accordance with the Construction Industry Council

    Ordinance.

    Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

    Certified Public Accountants

    Hong Kong 2 May 2008

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    The financial statements on pages 31 to 49 were approved and

    authorised for issue by the Construction Industry Council on 2 May

    2008 and were signed on its behalf by:

    Mr. Billy W.H. Wong, JP

    CHAIRMAN, CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING BOARD

    Ir Edgar C.P. Kwan, JP

    MEMBER, COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE

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    NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007

    1 . G EN ERA L

    The Construction Industry Training Authority (the

    "Authority") was established in Hong Kong Special

    Administrative Region under the Industrial Training

    (Construction Industry) Ordinance. The Authority was a not-

    for-profit organisation and its principal functions were to

    provide training courses for the construction industry; establish

    and maintain industrial training centers; assist, including to

    assist by way of financial provision, in the placement of

    persons completing training courses; make recommendations

    with respect to rate of levy and assess the standards of skills

    achieved by anyone in any kind of work involving or in

    connection with the construction industry; conduct

    examinations or tests, issue or award certificate of competence

    and establish the standards to be achieved in respect of such

    work.

    The Construction Industry Council Ordinance (the

    Ordinance ) was enacted by the Legislative Council on 23

    May 2006 and came into operation on 1 January 2008. Under

    the Ordinance, the Construction Industry Council (the

    "Council") is established as a statutory body. Amongst other

    functions, it provides guidance to the Authority and set

    directions for its work. Moreover, the construction levieswould also be used to support the daily operations of the

    Council as well as other activities that will benefit the

    construction industry at large. On 1 January 2008, the

    Authority was dissolved and subsumed under the Council as

    a committee named as the Construction Industry Training

    Board.

    The address of the registered office and principal place of

    operation of the Authority was 95 Yue Kwong Road,

    Aberdeen, Hong Kong.

    The financial statements are presented in Hong Kong dollars,

    which is also the functional currency of the Authority.

    2. APPLICATION OF N EW AN D REVISED HON G KON GFIN AN CIAL REPORTIN G STAN DARDS

    In the current year, the Authority had applied, for the first

    time, a number of new standards, amendments and

    interpretations (new HKFRSs) issued by the Hong Kong

    Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the HKICPA),

    which are effective for the financial year beginning from 1

    January 2007. The adoption of the new HKFRSs has results

    in the following areas:

    The impact of application of HKFRS 7 Financial

    instruments: Disclosures has been to expand the

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    disclosures provided in the financial statements regarding

    the Authority's financial instruments, especially on the

    sensitivity analysis to market risk. The impact of application of HKAS 1 (Amendment) "Capital

    Disclosures" has been to disclose information regarding its

    objectives, policies and processes for managing capital.

    The application of the remaining new HKFRSs has had no

    material effect on how the results and financial position of the

    Authority for the current or prior accounting periods were

    prepared and presented. Accordingly, no prior period

    adjustment has been required.

    The Authority did not early adopt the following new or revised

    standards or interpretations that have been issued but are not

    yet effective. The Authority had assessed the potential impact

    and so far concluded that the application of these standards or

    interpretations would have no material impact on the results

    and financial position of the Authority.

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    3 . SIG N IFICA N T A CCO U N TIN G PO LICIES

    The financial statements have been prepared on the historical

    cost basis except for certain financial instruments which aremeasured at fair values and in accordance with Hong Kong

    Financial Reporting Standards, issued by the HKICPA. The

    principal accounting policies adopted are as follows:

    Recognition of income

    Income is measured at the fair value of the consideration

    received or receivable.

    Levy income is accounted for on an accrual basis and is

    recognised upon the assessment of the value of construction

    works by the Authority.

    Course fee and related income and trade testing income are

    recognised over the period of instruction or testing.

    Registration service fee income is recognised when the

    services are rendered.

    Dividend income from investments is recognised when the

    Authority's right to receive payment has been established.

    Interest income from a financial asset is accrued on a time

    basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the

    effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate exactly

    discounts the estimated future cash receipts through the

    expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying

    amount.

    Property, plant and equipment

    Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less subsequent

    accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses.

    Depreciation is provided to write off the cost of items of

    property, plant and equipment over their estimated useful lives

    and after taking into account of their estimated residual value,

    using the straight-line method.

    An item of property, plant and equipment is derecognised upon

    disposal or when no future economic benefits are expected to

    arise from the continued use of the asset. Any gain or loss

    arising on derecognition of the asset (calculated as the

    difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carryingamount of the item) is included in the income and expenditure

    account in the year in which the item is derecognised.

    Impairment

    At each balance sheet date, the Authority reviewed the carrying

    amounts of its assets to determine whether there is any

    indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss.

    If the recoverable amount of an asset is estimated to be less

    than its carrying amount, the carrying amount of the asset is

    reduced to its recoverable amount. An impairment loss is

    recognised immediately in the income and expenditure

    account.

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    Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying

    amount of the asset is increased to the revised estimate of its

    recoverable amount, but so that the increased carrying amountdoes not exceed the carrying amount that would have been

    determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset

    in prior years. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised

    immediately in the income and expenditure account.

    Financial Instruments

    Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the

    balance sheet when the Authority became a party to the

    contractual provisions of the instruments. Financial assets and

    financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value.

    Transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition

    or issue of financial assets and financial liabilities are added to

    or deducted from the fair value of the financial assets or financialliabilities, as appropriate, on initial recognition.

    Financial assets

    The Authority's financial assets are classified into one of the

    following categories, including loans and receivables, held-to-

    maturity investments and available-for-sale financial assets. All

    regular way purchases or sales of financial assets are recognised

    and derecognised on a trade date / settlement date basis. Regular

    way purchases or sales are purchases or sales of financial assets

    that require delivery of assets within the time frame established

    by regulation or convention in the marketplace.

    Effective interest method

    The effective interest method is a method of calculating the

    amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating interest

    income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is

    the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts

    (including all fees on points paid or received that form an integral

    part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other

    premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the financial

    assets, or , where appropriate, a shorter period.

    Loans and receivables

    Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with

    fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an activemarket. At each balance sheet date subsequent to initial

    recognition, loans and receivables (including levy receivables,

    other receivables, amount due from Construction Industry

    Council and cash and deposits at banks) are carried at amortised

    cost using the effective interest method, less any identified

    impairment losses (see accounting policy on impairment loss

    on financial assets below).

    Held-to-maturity investments

    Held-to-maturity investments are non-derivative financial assets

    with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities that

    the Authority's management has the positive intention and ability

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    to hold to maturity. At each balance sheet date subsequent to

    initial recognition, held-to-maturity investments are measured

    at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less anyidentified impairment losses (see accounting policy on

    impairment loss on financial assets below).

    Available-for-sale financial assets

    Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are

    either designated or not classified as financial assets at fair

    value through profit or loss, loans and receivables or held-to-

    maturity investments.

    At each balance sheet date subsequent to initial recognition,

    available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value.

    Changes in fair value are recognised in the investment

    revaluation reserve, until the financial asset is disposed of or

    is determined to be impaired, at which time, the cumulative

    gain or loss previously recognised in the investment

    revaluation reserve is removed from the reserve and recognised

    in the income and expenditure account (see accounting policy

    on impairment loss on financial assets below).

    Impairment of financial assets

    Financial assets, other than those at fair value through profit

    or loss, are assessed for indicators of impairment at each

    balance sheet date. Financial assets are impaired where there

    is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events

    that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset,

    the estimated future cash flows of the financial assets havebeen impacted.

    For an available-for sale equity investment, a significant or

    prolonged decline in the fair value of that investment below

    its cost is considered to be objective evidence of impairment.

    For all other financial assets, objective evidence of impairment

    could include:

    significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty;

    or

    default or delinquency in interest or principal payments;

    or

    it becoming probable that the borrower will enter

    bankruptcy or financial re-organisation.

    For certain categories of financial asset, such as levy

    receivables, other receivables and amount due from

    Construction Industry Council, assets that are assessed not to

    be impaired individually are subsequently assessed for

    impairment on a collective basis. Objective evidence of

    impairment for a portfolio of receivables could include the

    Authority's past experience of collecting payments, an increase

    in the number of delayed payments in the portfolio past the

    average credit period, observable changes in national or local

    economic conditions that correlate with default on receivables.

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    For financial assets carried at amortised cost, an impairment

    loss is recognised in the income and expenditure account when

    there is objective evidence that the asset is impaired, and ismeasured as the difference between the asset's carrying amount

    and the present value of the estimated future cash flows

    discounted at the original effective interest rate.

    For financial assets carried at cost, the amount of the impairment

    loss is measured as the difference between the asset's carrying

    amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows

    discounted at the current market rate of return for a similar

    financial asset. Such impairment loss will not be reversed in

    subsequent periods.

    The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the

    impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the

    exception of levy receivables, other receivables, and amountdue from Construction Industry Council, where the carrying

    amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account.

    Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are

    recognised in the income and expenditure account. When a

    levy receivable, other receivables and amount due from

    Construction Workers Registration Authority and amount due

    from Construction Industry Council is considered uncollectible,

    it is written off against the allowance account. S u b s e q u e n t

    recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to the

    income and expenditure account.

    For financial assets measured at amortised cost, if, in a

    subsequent period, the amount of impairment loss decreases

    and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring

    after the impairment losses was recognised, the previously

    recognised impairment loss is reversed through income and

    expenditure account to the extent that the carrying amount of

    the asset at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed

    what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment

    not been recognised.

    Impairment losses on available-for-sale equity investments will

    not be reversed in the income and expenditure account in

    subsequent periods. Any increase in fair value subsequent