How mainland Chinese engineers can help Hong Kong firms bridge talent gap

Mainland China's extensive network of engineers can aid Hong Kong firms in expanding, filling talent gaps, and expanding operations, according to industry experts. This was discussed during a six-day media tour of the Greater Bay Area organized by the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. Stops included a research institute in Guangzhou's Nansha district, a cargo facility, and a university in Dongguan, a key industrial hub in Guangdong province.

The Guangzhou HKUST Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's first mainland-based research center, was a major stop. Its director, Gao Min, emphasized the availability of a large pool of engineers to help Hong Kong companies overcome their talent shortage. He used the example of a startup needing 500 engineers, which could easily assemble a team in mainland China but faces difficulties in Hong Kong.

Gao stressed that Hong Kong's land for innovation and technology is plentiful, but its supply of engineering talent remains insufficient to support large-scale tech industry growth. He suggested combining Hong Kong's basic research capabilities with the mainland's strengths in engineering and commercialization.

CYC Group, a Hong Kong-based company developing tech-enabled bikes, established an office in Dongguan in 2023 to tap into the region's extensive supply-chain network and abundant technical talent. Founder Jon Chan noted that finding veteran electronic engineers with 20-30 years of experience in Hong Kong is nearly impossible. However, recruiting such experts on the mainland is much easier, with some commuting from Shenzhen to work in Dongguan.

This is due to the company's supply chain, including component production, located within a 30-minute drive from the office. Chan explained that having engineers on the factory floor is crucial, and setting up operations near Shenzhen enables the firm to tap into the city's vast pool of tech talent.

The manpower shortage in Hong Kong is a growing concern. According to a 2023 report by the Construction Industry Council, the sector will face a shortage of 6,000 to 6,500 professionals by 2027. The most affected specializations include civil, mechanical, structural, and environmental engineering. The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers also projected a shortage of about 3,000 engineers over the next five years, highlighting the importance of engineers in supporting the government's industrialization and biotechnology development goals.

The institution also called for reforms to secondary school curriculums, university quotas, and admissions policies to encourage more students to pursue engineering disciplines and increase the local talent pool.