Media365
One of the few certainties in an uncertain world is the need to maintain a competitive advantage. With the world facing unprecedented unpredictability amid rapidly shifting geopolitical, technological and economic forces, planning for tomorrow’s workforce is critical.
In this landscape, public and private sector collaborations are a model for success and central to Hong Kong Talent Engage’s (HKTE) efforts to attract international talent to the city. A government-backed office under the Labour and Welfare Bureau, HKTE is dedicated to promoting the city’s strengths and opportunities and supporting talent through various talent admission schemes.
To help ensure Hong Kong’s long-term development, HKTE has organised a series of international outreach initiatives to promote the city as a place to build a life and career. An integral part of its efforts to build a diverse talent pipeline was a recent series of field trips to the United Kingdom and Switzerland, where a delegation formed by HKTE, comprising prominent corporations and industry professionals led by Andrew Tsang, Deputy Secretary for Labour and Welfare (Manpower), visited renowned universities to recruit graduates and alumni.
“Our recent outreach missions to Europe powerfully demonstrate the synergy between the public and private sectors,” says Felix Chan, the director of HKTE. “By bringing representatives from Hong Kong’s leading corporations directly to top-tier students, we bridge the gap between aspiration and opportunity. This direct engagement allows us to showcase not just a job opportunity, but a long-term career and lifestyle in Hong Kong, with the full support of the government and our private-sector partners.”
In October, HKTE, along with experts from the engineering, finance and accounting sectors, and representatives from two of Hong Kong’s corporate giants, MTR Corporation and Cathay Pacific, toured several of the UK’s leading universities, including Imperial College London, King’s College London, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of Oxford.
The cooperation between government and the private sector, together with HKTE’s proactive approach to talent acquisition, help strengthen Hong Kong’s competitiveness in the global race for talent, says Vinnie Chi, general manager of talent management and organisation development at MTR Corporation.
“A strong public-private partnership signals a cohesive and strategic approach to talent attraction. It demonstrates that we align in creating a supportive environment for talent to thrive, enhancing Hong Kong’s appeal as a destination where talent is valued and invested in,” she says, adding that the initiatives translate into real opportunities and career prospects for overseas talent seeking employment with large Hong Kong companies such as the MTR Corporation. Students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds, she points out, are drawn to the company’s various graduate development programmes and long-term career prospects in the city.
“The enthusiasm from students of diverse backgrounds reflects the appeal of MTR’s purpose-driven culture, diversified business portfolio, commitment to innovation and inclusion, and ongoing efforts to expand businesses in Hong Kong and beyond,” Chi says. The UK visit, she adds, led to a significant increase in applications from student candidates eager to explore career opportunities with the company.
MTR Corporation uses insights and feedback from its delegations to customise its global recruitment strategies, including enhancing its digital presence and strengthening partnerships with academic institutions abroad.
Overall, Chi says Hong Kong’s broader-reaching approach to overseas talent recruitment offers new opportunities for corporations such as the MTR when planning for tomorrow’s workforce.
“A more diverse workforce introduces fresh perspectives and experiences, which can contribute to innovation in areas such as service design, technology and customer engagement. As the most international city in Asia, Hong Kong welcomes people from all over the world, and the MTR plays a central role in serving this diverse population. A more international customer base inspires us to refine our offerings such as digital tools, multilingual support and inclusive customer experience to meet diverse needs.”
HKTE is focused on attracting top professionals to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness, as the city strives to strengthen its position as an international hub for high-calibre talent.
“Our mission extends beyond one-off talent recruitment drives. It is about building a sustainable talent ecosystem for Hong Kong,” HKTE’s Chan says. “The active participation of our corporate partners ensures that we are not only attracting talent but also providing the pathways for them to work, live and thrive here.”
