Human Resources
Manpower Overview
At the end of March 2018, the department employed approximately 9 200 civil servants, comprising staff of various departmental grades such as Leisure Services Manager, Curator, Librarian, Manager, Cultural Services, Music Officer, Amenities Assistant and Cultural Services Assistant, along with other common grades and general grades officers.
Our civil service workforce is supplemented from time to time by non-civil service contract (NCSC) staff, who are employed to meet specific service and operational needs during certain periods.
Staff Training and Development
The Training Section also organised a number of training programmes for turf management and maintenance staff, which led to qualifications such as the Professional Diploma in Horticulture and Landscape Management (the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong), the Sports Turf (Operations Management) Level 5 (New Zealand Sports Turf Institute), and the Certificate III in Sports Turf Management (Melbourne Polytechnic), as well as various attachment programmes.
To enhance the professional knowledge of cultural services staff, a wide range of carefully-structured training programmes were provided, covering topics such as cultural enterprise, arts management and entrepreneurship, creative industries management, basics of performing arts, museum studies, architectural conservation, archival studies, and information studies.
To enrich the specialist knowledge of stage management staff, training courses on stage and technical management, safety management, rope access and rigging were organised.
During the year, colleagues who specialise or have particular talents in specific areas of work were invited to contribute to the Chat Room Series. This is a series of talks that give staff the opportunity to share work expertise and learn from the professional knowledge, experience and passion of their colleagues. This year, cultural services staff members shared experience gained from managing innovations in the organisation of mega events, curating exhibitions, and implementing specialised services and developments in ticketing.
In addition, cultural services staff were given the opportunity to broaden their international exposure by taking part in training outside Hong Kong, through attachment training, internship programmes and exchanges with international cultural institutions.
To ensure a safe and healthy environment for staff and customers, the Training Section organised a number of occupational safety and health programmes, such as Prevention of Biological (Animal and Insect) Hazards at Outdoor Workplaces, General Safety for Supervisors and Managers, General Safety for Frontline Staff, Certificate of Competency in Manual Handling, Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work), Safety Training Course for Certified Workers in Confined Spaces Operation, and Safe Use of Tail Lifts.
Staff Relations and Communication
The department is committed to maintaining adequate channels through which staff can communicate their views and suggestions for enhancing the department’s operations and its services to the public.
The Management maintains regular contact with staff through various channels. Meetings of the Departmental Consultative Committee and the General Grades Consultative Committee, attended by staff representatives of various grades, are well-established platforms for discussions and exchanges with staff on relevant issues. In addition, the Management holds regular meetings with staff union representatives. From time to time, ad hoc meetings, informal gatherings and briefings are also held to discuss issues that may arise. The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services also engages with staff and union representatives at casual events such as tea gatherings to stay abreast of staff concerns.
Staff Motivation
The department treasures its staff’s commitment, and the amount of effort they put into delivering leisure and cultural services for the public. A number of award schemes are organised to encourage staff to give of their best at work, and to convey appreciation to those who have delivered exemplary performances. Staff members 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 2017-18, 185 officers received certificates for their meritorious service.
Six staff members nominated by the department received commendations from the Secretary for the Civil Service in 2017-18 for their consistently excellent performance.
Customer Service
