The Construction Industry Council (CIC) released the Construction Manpower Forecast on 8 February 2023 to offer insights on the trends of manpower demand and supply in construction, as well as the gap to be addressed. The results are based on the Construction Expenditure Forecast published by CIC in May 2022, which estimated that the overall 10-year construction expenditure, including both public and private sectors in Hong Kong, from 2021/22 to 2030/31 would reach over HK$300 billion per annum.
By comparing the report’s manpower demand forecast with the current manpower supply, the mismatch in supply and demand of professionals, technicians, site supervisory personnel and construction workers will be tagged at 5 to 15 per cent in 2023 and 15 to 20 per cent in 2027. The table below shows the estimation of manpower mismatch in supply and demand in the coming five years:
| 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |
| Skilled/Semi-Skilled Workers | 10,000–15,000 | 15,000–20,000 | 15,000–20,000 | 20,000–25,000 | 35,000–40,000 |
| Technicians | 2,500–3,000 | 4,000–4,500 | 4,000–4,500 | 5,000–5,500 | 5,500–6,000 |
| Site Supervisory Personnel | 1,000–1,500 | 1,500–2,000 | 1,500–2,000 | 1,500–2,000 | 2,000–2,500 |
| Professionals | 4,000–4,500 | 5,500–6,000 | 5,500–6,000 | 5,500–6,000 | 6,000–6,500 |
The results have not taken into account the effects brought about by different enhancement measures and technology adoption.
A spokesperson for the CIC said that the manpower forecast results have been submitted to the Government for consideration. The council has been working with the Government to address the manpower mismatch, including enhancing training and recruitment as well as driving the adoption of construction techniques and new technologies to develop local manpower and uplift industry productivity.
For details of the Construction Manpower Forecast, please visit: https://www.cic.hk/eng/main/aboutcic/publications/report/.
For more on the Construction Expenditure Forecast, please visit: https://www.cic.hk/common/Fore/Fore.aspx?lang=en-US&year=2016_17. —Construction+ Online
