As at the end of March 2014, the department was staffed by about 8 400 civil servants. Additional staff were deployed in various offices to meet new service demands, fill existing vacancies and replace non-civil service contract (NCSC) staff. The department will further strengthen its workforce in 2014-15, to staff new facilities and services and to enhance existing services.
NCSC staff are employed by the department under the NCSC Staff Scheme to meet service and operational requirements. They are mainly responsible for providing support services in LCSD venues and offices, and are deployed for general administrative support, frontline and customer services, technical support, and information technology services.
The employment of NCSC staff has been under regular review. In recent years, the department has replaced some 300 NCSC positions with civil service posts, following a review of the mode of governance in public museums and a review of frontline and support services in public libraries. The number of NCSC staff is expected to further decrease as efforts continue to be made to convert NCSC positions with long-term service needs into civil service posts.
The department conducted recruitment exercises for the posts of Assistant Leisure Services Manager II, Artisan (Beach/Swimming Pool), Artisan (Lifeguard at Water Sports Centre), Artisan (Filtration Plant), Assistant Curator II (Science), Assistant Curator II (History), Workman I and Workman II in 2013-14.
The department’s Training Section offered a wide range of programmes in 2013-14.
Growing environmental awareness and public concern for tree management have increased the need for tree specialists. The Training Section organises professional training to boost the professional arboricultural knowledge of staff involved in this area. During the year, the focus of training continued to be on tree inspection, pathology, risk assessment, remedial tree surgery and old and valuable tree (OVT) management, with the aim of improving curative measures for problematic trees. The training programme included four courses on Visual Tree Inspection and Remedial Tree Surgery for 56 staff; one Tree Hazard Assessment Course with Integrated Assessment (LANTRA Professional Tree Inspection Qualification) in June and September 2013 for 17 Leisure Services Managers (LSMs) and Amenities Assistants (AAs); a number of thematic arboriculture seminars and a specialist arboriculture course attended by over 350 staff; and an OVT Management Training Programme for 26 staff.
A staff member practises his skills at an arboriculture training camp.
To ensure staff have the appropriate health and safety knowledge they need to carry out tree operations, the Training Section also arranged for 50 staff to attend a tailor-made two-day course, Occupational Safety and Health in Arboriculture, organised by the Tree Management Office of the Development Bureau.
In June and December 2013, we organised re-certification training programmes for the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborists. As a result, 47 LSMs and AAs were re-certified for this professional qualification. We also arranged training for other recognised qualifications, including the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture (CUHK), Advanced Diploma in Tree Management and Conservation (HKU(SPACE)), Certification in Professional Tree Management (OUHK), Professional Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Management (THEi), Certified Arborists Training Programme, the BSc (Hon) Degree in Arboriculture (UK), the Arboriculture Level 3 BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma (UK), the Certificate Course on Subtropical Urban Tree Care (Hawaii), and Tree Surgery for Craftsmen (UK).
A training course participant learns the proper way to use chainsaws for cutting logs.
To meet the training needs of staff in Turf Management and Maintenance, the Training Section arranged for 19 LSM grade staff to participate in Seminars on Practical Turf Management at CUHK, for one LSM to undertake a six-week Turf Attachment Training Programme in Queensland, Australia, and for two LSMs to attend a Certificate Course on Plant Landscaping at Windward Community College in Hawaii, USA. In addition, we arranged an experience-sharing workshop on Sports Turf Maintenance for 79 staff working in sports grounds and major parks.
To facilitate the delivery of quality cultural services to the community, the Training Section continued to offer a wide range of well-structured training programmes on different aspects of arts and culture for cultural services staff. These training programmes covered cultural management, arts management and entrepreneurship, creative industries management, liberal studies in performing arts, museum studies, architectural conservation, librarianship, and stage and technical management. We also organised training for our cultural services staff in such important areas as creative leadership, advanced cultural leadership and crisis management.
The Training Section is keen to promote knowledge management among staff. A new talk and experience-sharing programme, titled Chat Room Series, was introduced during the year to offer a platform for staff members to share their work knowledge and experience with other cultural services staff. Staff enjoyed exchanges on topics such as Chinese opera, exhibition design and curatorship, and the transformation of a heritage building into a new performing arts venue.
Staff learn about the carpet storage lift in the Yau Ma Tei Theatre, as part of the Chat Room Series.
To keep staff abreast of the latest developments in relevant areas of law and IT, the Training Section regularly conducts courses in these areas. During the year, we arranged training for staff on the new Companies Ordinance, developing mobile applications and privacy protection, treatment of parody under the copyright regime, and data protection in direct marketing activities. Staff also received training on social media strategies, tools and applications. Advanced design software training was provided to those staff involved in design work to enhance their technical knowledge and design skills.
In support of the Government’s commitment to building an inclusive society, the Training Section ran a series of training courses titled Know the ethnic minorities residing in Hong Kong, and Serving people suffering from psychosis. It also tailored a special series of Quality Customer Service training for frontline staff to enhance customer service standards.
Staff were also given the opportunity to broaden their cultural knowledge by taking part in overseas training, internship programmes and exchanges with prestigious international cultural institutions. The valuable experience and professional knowledge gained from these opportunities have enabled staff to develop programmes and events for the public even more creatively, and contribute towards Hong Kong’s development as a world-class events capital.
The Training Section continued to organise Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) training programmes to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all staff, as well as for customers visiting our premises or participating in our activities. This year, over 750 staff received training in the use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), and received relevant certification. Other general OSH courses, such as Prevention of Violence in the Workplace, Breakaway Techniques, Avoiding Snake Bites, Knowing Dog Behaviour, Fire Prevention, and Electrical Safety, helped raise occupational safety awareness among frontline staff.
A staff member demonstrating the use of Automated External Defibrillators.
We have continued to offer competence certificate courses, such as the Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course, the General Safety for Workers in Confined Spaces and Revalidation Course, the Certificate of Competence in Display Screen Equipment Assessment, and the Certificate of Competence in Manual Handling. In addition, we organise OSH management courses for district and venue safety officers, including, among others, Basic Safety Management Training and General Training on Occupational Safety and Health for District/Venue Safety Officers.
In 2013-14, the department continued to support the Government’s initiative to expand job opportunities for young people through the Swimming Pool Trainee Scheme and the Beach Trainee Scheme. Under these schemes, the Training Section provided four to six months’ training to 40 young people, after which they passed the relevant tests and gained lifeguard qualifications. They were then able to find jobs in public and private aquatic venues, and some of them have applied to join the civil service as lifeguards.
Lifeguards learning jet-ski rescue techniques during a training course.
Our Training Section also delivered a number of regular programmes on leisure and cultural services disciplines, as well as training in general knowledge and skills, supervisory management, language and communication, computer software applications, and IT.
Staff at a fitness room management workshop.
Overall, 2013-14 was a productive year for staff training. We offered a total of 18 257 training places to all grades and ranks, including NCSC and ex-Council contract staff. According to feedback received from trainees, our training programmes were effective in helping trainees meet their work and operational requirements.
The department enjoys good staff relations as a result of its commitment to maintaining excellent communication.
Management maintains regular contact with staff through meetings of the Departmental Consultative Committee and the General Grades Consultative Committee, and meetings with staff unions. In addition, ad hoc meetings, informal gatherings and briefings are held to discuss issues of mutual concern. The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services also meets with staff and union representatives to obtain a better understanding of their concerns, and take appropriate action where necessary.
Individual needs are given equal attention. The Staff Relations ‒ Staff Welfare Unit attends to requests and enquiries from staff regarding welfare and other concerns. Staff are encouraged to make suggestions for improving and streamlining the department’s operations and management.
The department also organises recreational activities such as the annual karaoke contest. To enhance team spirit, we also organise popular special-interest classes on horticulture.
A special-interest class on horticulture.
The departmental Volunteer Team and 15 sports teams also provide ample opportunities for staff to participate in worthwhile activities during their spare time. This year, the Volunteer Team visited residents of a home for the elderly. It also arranged for underprivileged families to attend the Legends of the Giant Dinosaurs exhibition and the annual Hong Kong Flower Show. Our sports teams participated in various open and inter-departmental competitions and won awards in some of them.
The Volunteer Team visiting a home for the elderly.
The Swimming Team after winning the gold medal in a relay competition.
The quarterly Staff Newsletter has continued to prove another effective medium for staff communication.
Recognition plays a key role in building a motivated and committed workforce. Staff who have provided meritorious service for 20 years or more are eligible for consideration for Long and Meritorious Service Certificates and Long and Meritorious Service Travel Awards. In 2013-14, 290 staff received Certificates of Merit for their meritorious service.
The department also nominates staff for external commendations. In 2013-14, four staff members received commendations from the Secretary for the Civil Service for their consistently excellent performance.
The department’s Customer Appreciation Card Scheme is a channel by which staff can receive direct customer feedback. Staff are also encouraged to develop and improve their service standards through the Staff Suggestion Scheme and Work Improvement Teams. In 2013-14, the Leisure Services Branch held a competition among Work Improvement Teams at Beaches, Water Sports Centres and Holiday Camps, while the Library Section of the Cultural Services Branch held its 4th Work Improvement Competition under the theme of Public participation – enhancement of libraries.
Representatives of a Work Improvement Team share their experiences at an award presentation ceremony.
Customer focus is a core value of the department. In 2013-14, we received more than 9 000 appreciation cards and over 700 compliments from our customers, feedback which has proved very encouraging for frontline staff.
