FAQ
Short Courses |
About Courses |
1. What are the features of full-time short courses? |
These courses are designed for adult students with no previous experience in the construction industry who wish to join the construction industry through a structured short training programme. They are designed to enable students to acquire a specialised operation, trade or skill in a short period of time and to obtain a professional skill level qualification. |
2. What do the courses cover? |
For example, industry awareness, construction safety training, work ethics and conduct, as well as specific operations, trades and skills for individual trades. |
3. What is the medium of instruction for the course? |
The medium of instruction for all full-time courses is Cantonese and the lectures are mainly in Chinese, except for designated courses. |
4. How long is the training period of the course? |
Full-time short courses and the Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme range from two weeks to four and a half months, depending on the course. |
5. What are the school hours? |
Monday to Friday: 8:20 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
6. What are the class locations and start dates? |
HKIC has training venues in Kowloon Bay, Kwai Chung, Sheung Shui, Tuen Mun and Tai Po and classes are held throughout the year. |
7. Is there assessment for the course? |
Teaching staff will monitor students' learning progress and skill level through daily assignments and assessments during the course. |
8. How can I obtain a graduation certificate? |
A full-time short course certificate will be awarded to students who have achieved 95% attendance and 100% attendance in the course of Loadshifting Machinery Operators, a pass in the specified tests and the individual graduation requirements specified for each course. |
9. Do I need tuition for the course? |
Full-time short courses do not require tuition fees and there is a monthly allowance ranging from HK$4,800 to HK$12,910 (graduation incentive included). For details, please refer to the relevant course information. |
10. What is the difference between the two different allowances? |
The courses are divided into the Regular Short Courses and the Short Courses - Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme (ECMTS). The Regular short course is subsidised at HK$4,800, while the ECMTS Programme is designed to attract newcomers to the construction industry by providing a subsidy of HK$12,910 (including graduation incentive) for trades with a shortage of manpower. |
11. Can the allowance be paid in cash? |
Students are required to provide their Hong Kong bank savings accounts (virtual bank accounts are not accepted for the time being) to the Institue for autopay processing. The monthly allowance will be automatically transferred to the student by the bank by the middle of the following month. |
12. Can I work part-time while I am enrolled? |
HKIC does not restrict students' activities outside the classroom. However, the curriculum is based on classroom lectures and practical work. There are also opportunities to operate tools and machines, so students should be mentally and physically capable of meeting the demands of the course. |
13. What subjects are suitable for women? |
All subjects are suitable for both men and women. Some subjects are more popular with women, such as painting, bricklaying and tiling. However, some courses may have special physical or psychological requirements, please refer to item 15 below. |
About Applications |
14. What is the procedure and method of application for full-time short courses? |
i) Applicants can apply online at www.hkic.edu.hk; |
15. What are the academic or skill requirements for admission to the course? |
Basic Entry Requirements: Other individual course requirements: Enhanced Construction Manpower Training Scheme: |
16. Can applicants with overseas or Mainland qualifications apply for admission? |
Applicants can first apply for the course and submit a copy of their qualifications, which will be reviewed by the Institue to see if they are recognised. |
17. Is there any age limit for admission? |
None. However, applicants are required to follow the requirements of the Hong Kong Construction Industry Trade Testing Centre to ensure that candidates are in safe and suitable physical condition to sit for the specific competency-based examinations. Candidates aged 65 or above taking trade tests or other trade tests are required to provide a medical examination report issued by a registered medical practitioner. Therefore, applicants for full-time short courses who have reached the age of 65 at the time of application or before completion of the course will be required to provide this at the time of interview. |
18. Can I enrol in more than one programme at the same time? |
No. If the applicant submits the application form repeatedly, the Institute will automatically cancel the previous form submitted by the applicant and only process the last form submitted without prior notice. |
19. Applications for the Machinery Operation Course currently not accepted and when can I apply? |
As there are already many applicants on the waiting list and the waiting time is quite long, we are not accepting applications for the time being. An announcement will be made on the HKIC website when applications are re-opened. |
20. Why haven't applicants heard anything since they enrolled? |
A reply will normally be received within seven working days and HKIC will make an appointment to meet with eligible applicants. Please note the phone or WhatsApp Messenger. |
21. Why do I need an interview? What does the interview involve? |
The purpose of the interview is to understand the applicant's work experience, purpose of study, health condition, academic qualifications and work aspirations, etc., and to assess whether the applicant is suitably qualified for the training and career development of the programme. |
22. What should I bring to the interview? |
- "Interview Notification Letter "(for those who have made an appointment for an interview only); and |
23. When will I know the result of the interview? |
Applicants will normally be informed of the result of the interview immediately if all documents have been submitted. |
24. Why is there a physical fitness test for the course? |
The physical fitness test is designed to assess the suitability of the applicant to receive the training of the course. Applicants are required to take and pass the test. |
25. What does the physical fitness test include? |
- The physical fitness test for bar bending and fixing includes arm strength test, squat test and grip strength test. |
26. Can I take a make-up test if I fail the physical fitness test? |
Applicants are allowed to retake each failed item once on the day of the test, with a break of up to 15 minutes before retaking. Applicants who fail the physical fitness test will not be admitted. |
27. Why is my application rejected? |
The following are some of the more common reasons for rejection of an application for admission: |
28. Can I apply for a deferment of admission if I have an urgent matter? |
Applicants wishing to change or withdraw from the course must notify the relevant staff one week prior to the start of the course in accordance with the instructions on the offer letter. If an applicant is absent without prior notice and explanation, his/her application will be refused for a period of three months from the date of commencement of the course. |
29. What are the consequences of giving up after admission? |
You will be required to return the allowance received to the Council with a letter explaining that you will not be able to enrol for a year from the date of withdrawal. |
30. Can I re-enrol in a course that I have previously studied at the Construction Institute? |
You cannot apply within one year from the date of graduation. You must also submit proof of employment for at least one month within one year from the date of graduation. For example, if a graduate graduated in December 2014, he/she must provide proof of employment for three months when submitting an application in January 2018. If less than one year is required, the lower requirement will apply. You cannot repeat the same subject. |
31. Can I re-enrol now if I have failed the Intermediate tests for graduates? |
The re-enrolment requires proof of employment in the industry for at least one month within one year from the date of graduation, or an average of at least three months in another industry. You cannot repeat the same subject. |
32. Do I have to work after the course? |
HKIC has a department of " Career Support Services", which liaises with employers in the industry to identify job vacancies and assist graduates to enter the construction industry. |