Dear Colleagues,

Training Incentive Scheme
for Civil Servants

In my letter of 2 November 2000 to you, I outlined the Government's intention to launch a 3-year Training and Development Programme to strengthen our training in support of the Civil Service Reform initiatives and to promote a culture of continuous learning and lifelong development within the Civil Service.

I am pleased to report that on 9 February the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved the provision of $50 million for the launching of this programme from 2001/02 to 2003/04. Under this 3-year programme, we estimate that an additional 90,000 training opportunities will be provided to civil servants. Preparatory work is already in hand to roll out the programme. The Civil Service Training and Development Institute will inform departments of the details shortly.

One new initiative within the 3-year programme which I would like to highlight is the introduction of a Training Incentive Scheme to promote continuous learning of individual civil servants. Out of the $50 million budget, we will allocate $18 million to departments to provide financial incentive to encourage individual civil servants to embark on self-initiated external study programmes or short courses. These work-related courses should suit their personal development needs, interests and learning mode. This Scheme is in addition to any current arrangements for reimbursement of cost for external duty-related studies. The incentive will be set at a maximum amount of $1,000 or not more than 75% of course fees, whichever is the less. The amount allocated will benefit up to 18,000 civil servants or 10% of staff in each department. I urge you to make use of this opportunity to further improve yourself.

To kick off this 3-year programme, a symposium cum exhibition on continuous learning and development in the Civil Service will be held at the City Hall on 2 April 2001. The symposium will be officiated by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Renowned human resource management experts from overseas and the local private sector will be invited to deliver talks and exchange views on this important subject. I hope you can make an effort to attend the symposium and exhibition.

To meet the challenges of the new age, let us engage in the process of continuous learning and lifelong development, and equip ourselves with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills.

Yours sincerely,

(Joseph W P Wong)
Secretary for the Civil Service