Top Reasons to Become a Civil Engineer in Hong Kong
2020-12-22 FARS Engineering
The construction industry in Hong Kong is picking its pace despite the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on nearly every industry across the world. Eyeing on the Vision 2030, the Hong Kong government views the construction sector as one of the critical industries that would see the country achieve its sustainability goals.
Because of these developments, the demand for construction projects is increasing, meaning that more civil engineers are needed to plan and oversee rail, housing, and other infrastructural projects.
Becoming a Civil Engineer in Hong Kong
To become a civil engineer, you need to go through basic secondary education and you must be proficient in languages, mathematics, and science subjects. In school, ensure that you choose science-related or tech-based courses to give you an upper hand when applying for a civil engineer course in post-secondary educational centres.
Apply for a civil engineering course at any of the tertiary institutions accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Ensure that you enrol as a student member of HKIE and participate in activities and internships that build your engineering career portfolio. Also, apply to companies and HKIE for Scheme A Training. This training provides you with practical civil engineering skills and experience immediately after graduating from college.
Once you complete your Scheme “A” Training, you will be eligible for registration by the Engineers Registration Board (ERB). Effectively, this will give you a license to operate as an approved engineer, meaning you can apply for commercial civil engineering contracts.
You are also eligible for membership at HKIE and registration by ERB if you are a professional member of institutions recognized by HKIE. These include the British Computer Society (BCS) (Note G), the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) (Note T), and Hong Kong Computer Society (HKCS) (Note K) among others.
What Civil Engineers Do
A civil engineer designs and oversees construction projects such as roads, buildings, airports, drainage systems, and other infrastructural projects. Civil engineers can work for construction firms, government, and utility companies.
Generally, civil engineers would:
• Investigate construction sites
• Develop sustainable designs using computer software
• Liaise with stakeholders including architects and subcontractors
• Supervise construction tendering procedures
• Resolve design and development problems
• Managing budgets and project resources
• Ensure project compliance to regulations of health, safety, and sustainability
The contribution of civil engineers to the design and development of sustainable infrastructure cannot be underestimated. They formulate processes and designs that reduce carbon footprint throughout the project cycle for sustainable development.
Civil engineers embrace minimalism by facilitating designs that foster the efficient use of resources by striking a balance between the costs and benefits of a project without compromising the project’s integrity. Such designs are environmentally friendly and do not require a huge amount of resources to accomplish. Become a civil engineer today in Hong Kong to be part of the team that designs sustainable projects for both economic and environmental benefits.