Engineers Job Prospects in Hong Kong !

Hong Kong has been described as an engineer’s dream – plenty of jobs, interesting and meaningful work, and a constant challenge. Engineers in Hong Kong are always in demand and should continue to be so for some time.

Engineering is a diverse field ranging from the seeing up of computer networks to the building of bridges. Below is a brief description of some individual engineering disciplines, other information will be grouped together for ease of use.

Civil engineers plan, design, supervise and organize the construction and maintenance of structures and facilities such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors and reclamation, pipelines, and water and sewage systems.

Computer engineers are in the vanguard of the information technology boom in Hong Kong. Given the government's support for information technology, computer engineers will continue to be in high demand. Computer engineers are employed throughout the government and in businesses as varied as banks, telecommunications companies, shopping malls and industrial plants.

Manufacturing & industrial engineers (MIE) maximize quality and productivity through the effective operation of production systems. This involves the design and management of manufacturing (of an end product – for example, a TV or car) and service systems (such as a cargo terminal or bus service).

Electrical engineers deal with electrical energy generation, transmission and conversion as well as associated equipment such as generator, transformer, switchgear, motor and switching control devices. The job nature of electrical engineers in the power industry include supply network planning, protection and control, overhead line and power cable construction, substation design and construction as well as the installation, testing, operation and maintenance of high-voltage equipment. Electrical engineers are also involved with the traction system, design and supply of all voltages equipment, lift and escalator system etc.

Mechanical engineers are in demand in various fields including vehicle engineering, computers, intelligent machine and robot design, and manufacturing. Mechanical engineers are also involved in acoustics, air-conditioning and refrigeration, automation, aircraft engineering, fluid transport systems, industrial and power plants, material conservation, cargo handling, nuclear engineering, waterworks and sewage treatment in terms of design, operation, maintenance, manufacturing and product design.

Electronics engineers are concerned with the transmission and manipulation of information via a lower power source. They are responsible for the groundwork of our modern and sophisticated telecommunication networks and the foundation of computer technology. The transport industry relies on electronics for its signaling systems and fare collection. Homes and offices rely on a comfortable environment via electronically controlled air-conditioning and security systems.

Chemical engineers design and oversee facilities in which matter undergoes a change of state in its composition. Food, pharmaceutical, paper, fuel and plastics are just some of the substances that chemical engineers process.

Positions
Electrical, mechanical and electronics engineering graduates can also seek to join the power companies, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited and Hong Kong Electric Holdings Limited. The MTR Corporation also employ graduate electrical and mechanical engineers on a regular basis. Many openings for electronics engineers are in sales and marketing, reflecting the fact that most R&D work is conducted outside of Hong Kong.

Salary & Benefits
In the private sector, starting salary for graduate engineers range from $12,000-$18,000, with some companies offering annual incentive bonus based on performance.

Should I Move to Hong Kong?

The British influence on Hong Kong is clear for all to see but that doesn't change the fact that you'll find yourself immersed in a fast paced and apparently alien culture. How you adapt to that is up to you. In my personal experience, most people love Hong Kong, or at least grow to love it after initial problems. It seems to me that cases where people can't wait to leave Hong Kong are rare and I would suggest that if you're having doubts or worries about moving here, just throw them out the window and go for it. You'll probably be asking yourself 'What was I so worried about' once you arrive and have settled in.

You're biggest problem will probably be one of perception. Even though so many things will appear so far removed from what you are used to, behind all the Chinese neon signs and bizarre looking food, it's just another city with ordinary people going about their lives and is really not that different when all is said and done.

Is Hong Kong Safe?
Worried about your safety? In a word, don't! Hong Kong is an extremely safe place to live and although it has its problems, like any other city, the police are professional and nearly all places are relatively safe to walk even at night. Just to convince you further, it has been described as one of the safest cities in the world and boasts a very low crime rate. Obviously you should take the usual precautions but it should not be something you spend time worrying about. Whenever I am in Hong Kong, I just feel safe somehow.

The Cost of Living in Hong Kong is on a par with Western Europe, as are the wages. Something that will really help is the favourable tax regime and you'll be the envy of your Western counterparts back home when they find out how little you pay. The tax system is also very simple and your tax returns will take no time at all.

The trick for cost effective living is to avoid getting into the routine of frequenting restaurants that serve Western food, just because you can't be bothered to get used to the local cuisine. Buy local brands and eat with the locals, it's not so hard once you get used to the way things work and you'll probably get to like it so much you won't look back. As a rule of thumb, many people agree that the cost of living is lower that the time of the handover in 1997 but then, so are the wages (Time of writing - May 2011).

Car ownership is really not necessary in my opinion. Nearly all Hong Kong residents rely totally on public transport. You can literally go anywhere at any time of the day or night on the world class transport system. It really is not an issue. So there's another thing you won't need to worry about. A car is not necessary and would probably be more of a hindrance


Transport
Tram Ride (Any distance)
2 HK$
Taxi (Central to North point)
50 HK$
MTR
3.80 - 26.00 HK$
Health
Typical doctors appt. (Including medications)
500 HK$
Gym Membership
500 - 1000 HK$
Other Costs
Unlimited broadband Internet
300 HK$
Landline Phone
100 HK$ p/m
Basic Cellphone Package
100 - 150 HK$ p/m

Living Expenses
Meal for two (Mid priced restaurant)
500 - 800 HK$
Beer in Lan Kwai Fong/Wan Chai (Bottled or Draught)
50 HK$
Cigarettes
30 - 35 HK$
Fast food burger meal
25 HK$
6 large navel oranges
~20 HK$
Ground Coffee (250g)
40 - 50 HKD
Frozen Chicken (Per Kg)
40 HK$
Minced Beef (Per Kg)
50 HK$
1 Litre milk
25 HK$
12 Eggs
15 ~ 20 HK$

Hong Kong also has many wet markets, where low cost produce and goods will be available. You tend to find more of these in areas with public housing. These are great places to get food and basics and can help to keep the cost of living down.

This is just a brief summary of things and if you have the opportunity to live here and experience things for yourself, why would you want to miss out? Go for it!

What are my chances of getting a job in Hong Kong ?

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China is widely seen as an attractive place to work and there is always competition for jobs from both domestic and overseas graduates. Cantonese is increasingly used as the language of business and unless you speak the language fluently, there will be limited opportunities available.

• Typical problems encountered: fierce competition from domestic and overseas graduates, including Chinese graduates. Finding an employer willing to apply for a work permit on your behalf may be difficult. Most expatriates in graduate-level jobs in Hong Kong have been relocated to the region by their current employer.

• How to improve your chances: professional training in areas such as law, banking, accountancy and finance, advanced manufacturing, engineering, biotechnology, computing, telecom, healthcare and architecture, planning and construction may increase your chances of finding an employer willing to apply for an appropriate visa on your behalf. Learning Cantonese will also improve your chances of finding work. For those who only speak English and who have relevant experience, there may be opportunities in areas such as teaching, media, hospitality and banking and finance.

• Language requirements: Chinese and English are the official languages of Hong Kong. English is widely used in the government and also in the legal, professional and business sectors. However, Cantonese is increasingly being used as the language of business and fluency in Cantonese is a distinct advantage for many jobs. Mandarin is also useful due to the increased trade and commercial links with mainland China. English may be sufficient for jobs with large multinational companies but knowledge of Cantonese is beneficial.

Where can I work?

• Major industries: service industry (accounts for more than 90% of gross domestic product (GDP)), especially financial and professional services. Hong Kong is a high-tech country and there are ample opportunties for IT and Telecom related professionals.

• Major companies: Bank of China (BOC) Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways, Cheung Kong, China Mobile, China Netcom Group, China Unicom, CLP Holdings, Cnooc, Henderson Land, Hutchison Whampoa, Jardine Matheson, Sun Hung Kai Properties, Swire Pacific.

What’s it like working in Hong Kong?
• Average working hours: Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm (or longer, depending on the business), with an occasional half-day required on Saturday.

• Holidays: there are two types of public holiday in Hong Kong: statutory and general holidays. Statutory holidays must be provided to all employees. General holidays include every Sunday, all statutory holidays (12) and an additional five holidays. See the Hong Kong Government website for more details.

• Tax rates: maximum salary tax is 17% (2009/10). Check with the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department for up-to-date rates and breakdowns.

• Working practices and customs: fairly formal work environment, conservative dress code, long working hours, business networking after work - business lunches/dinners are common

Proposed Australian Skilled Migrant Selection Model (the Model)

The following information relates to the government’s decision to implement a new skilled migrant selection model based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and invitation to apply. The proposal is in an early stage of development and consultation. Although the key features are settled, further changes are possible and the following must not be taken as a final description of how the new selection model will operate. In particular, no action of any kind should be taken on the basis that this will be the final model. The minister may recommend to the Governor-General in-Council amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to give effect to the final model.

The Skilled Migrant Selection Model
The Australian Government has decided on a major reform in the way Australia selects skilled migrants, the Skilled Migrant Selection Model (the Model). The Model will build upon and draw together the suite of reforms to the skilled migration program over the past three years. In doing so it will deliver the skills Australia needs by matching the best and brightest migrants to the available places in the migration program.

The Model will be an electronic system based upon a two-stage process. Prospective applicants first submit claims for skilled migration through an online EOI and subsequently may be invited to make a visa application. This is a significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent or state/territory sponsored migration will be required to receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.

Once invited, the Model will ensure a match between the number of applicants and the number of available program places. This will result in streamlined processing times.

Foundations and benefits of the Model
The fundamental principle underpinning the Model is that the skilled migration program is determined by the economic needs of Australia. As such, it is necessary for the Australian government to manage who is able to apply for skilled migration, when they are able to apply and in what numbers, on the basis of this need. It is proposed that the Model will allocate all places in the independent skilled migration program to the prospective migrants, those who score highest on the points test, in each eligible occupational group.

A key benefit of the Model is the ability to address regional skill shortages. The Model allows prospective migrants to nominate their willingness to live and work in regional Australia. This will be of particular benefit to employers experiencing regional skills shortages and state and territory governments attempting to settle migrants in regional Australia.

The Model will connect state and territory governments and Australian employers with potential skilled workers through a central database of prospective skilled migrants. This will help state and territory governments maximise the benefit derived from their state and territory Migration Plans. From the perspective of employers, the Model would assist in the resolution of skills shortages through quick and easy identification of prospective workers with the requisite skills and attributes, reducing advertising and recruitment costs to businesses.

Implementation of the Model
The Model is proposed to commence on 1 July 2012. As of this date, new applicants for independent, family or state/territory sponsored migration would need to submit an EOI and be issued with an invitation before lodging a visa application, unless eligible for transitional arrangements. The first round of invitations is expected to occur in January 2013.

Transitional arrangements currently apply to certain people who, on 8 February 2010, held or had applied for a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa. This group is able to apply for a permanent skilled visa under the previous system, until the end of 2012. There are no additional transitional arrangements in relation to the Model.

Visa subclasses affected by the Model
The visa subclasses which will be affected by the Model are:

•Skilled – Independent (Migrant) subclass 175
•Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) subclass 176
•Skilled – Independent (Residence) subclass 885
•Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) subclass 886
•Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 475
•Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 487.
All prospective applicants for these visas will need to submit an EOI and receive an invitation before they can apply.

Prospective applicants interested in employer sponsorship would not be required to submit an EOI if they already have a sponsor. However, submitting an EOI allows employers to view their details and contact prospective applicants to discuss sponsorship opportunities. It would also allow prospective migrants who are sponsored on a temporary basis to be invited for either independent skilled migration or state/territory sponsored migration if eligible.

For those who have already lodged a visa application prior to the implementation of the Model and are pending processing, the department would process this application in accordance with any priority processing direction in effect at that time. A prospective migrant who has already lodged a visa application may want to submit an EOI in order to be connected to an employer or state/territory government.

New Zealand Skilled Migration !

Settling in High-Tech Country 'Hong Kong'

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