The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) today (September 6) launched the “HKPF Recruit” mobile application, and announced that the Recruit Police Constable (RPC) selection process would be enhanced starting from September 9, with a view to facilitating job applications and improving the efficiency of the recruitment process.
      
     The newly launched “HKPF Recruit” mobile application allows members of the public to submit police job applications via mobile phones, offering a digitalised application process. Applicants can track the selection progress, including interview schedules and results, and enrol in recruitment activities such as the Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day, and the Police Mentorship Programme through the app anytime, anywhere. The Force, in collaboration with the Digital Policy Office, has facilitated public access to the app through “iAM Smart”, reducing the time required for data entry.
      
     A spokesman for the Police said, “The Force has been actively promoting digital policing. The app provides a one-stop recruitment platform which optimises the user experience of applicants and saves time for manual input of information through automation. The Force will continue to utilise technology to enhance operational efficiency and service quality.”
           
     The app is available for download from Huawei AppGallery, Google Play and Apple App Store. For more information, please visit the designated webpage www.police.gov.hk/v/index.php?i=rec_app_e.
      
     Furthermore, the Police Recruitment Division will roll out the RPC “2-in-1 Express” on September 9 to further facilitate candidates, following a review of the recruitment process. RPC applicants who have demonstrated adequate preparation and outstanding performance in the group interview will have an option to attend the final interview on the same day through the “2-in-1 Express”. This initiative will encourage applicants to prepare as early as possible and significantly expedite the whole selection process for the most promising RPC applicants, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the Force in the intake of quality candidates.
      
     The Police Recruitment Division will continue to enhance recruitment publicity and facilitate applicants through a wide range of platforms, including social media and various activities. From September 13 to October 21, the “Police University Recruitment Express (PURE)” will be held in 12 local universities by the Recruitment Division, featuring police career showcase, exclusive fast track application, on-the-spot written exams for Probationary Inspector, and the Basic Law and National Security Law Test.
      
     The Recruitment Division will visit Jinan University in Guangdong and Huaqiao University in Fujian again from October 29 to November 1, and November 5 to 8 respectively, to facilitate the admission process for Hong Kong students studying on the Mainland through the “Hong Kong PURE (Mainland)”. In addition, noting that the Common Recruitment Examination in Beijing and Shanghai will take place on December 7, the Recruitment Division will also be present to conduct recruitment activities there for Hong Kong students who are interested in joining the Force.

      

     Attention TV and radio duty announcers:

     Please broadcast the following special announcement by the Education Bureau concerning schools, and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     Classes of all day schools remain suspended today. Classes of evening schools will resume tonight.

     The Labour Department (LD) today (September 6) withdrew the recognition of L.R.B. Partnership Human Resources Limited (LRB), for conducting the Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work) (generally known as Green Card Course) under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap. 59) for workers employed at industrial undertakings engaging in construction work.

     LRB was found to have breached the approval conditions attached to the conducting of the course. Multiple violations were found in two classes held by LRB in July this year, including insufficient teaching hours and one class being taught by an unapproved trainer. Additionally, the trainer did not follow the prescribed syllabus to provide practical training, and even allowed 21 trainees who had not completed the practical training to take the examinations and issued the Mandatory Basic Safety Training Course (Construction Work) certificates (Green Cards) to these trainees. On the directive of the LD, LRB has retrieved and cancelled 15 Green Cards, and the remaining six Green Cards that have not been retrieved have also been invalidated. The numbers of the not yet retrieved Green Cards are listed in the Annex.

     After conducting a thorough investigation and evidence collection, and considering the explanations and representations made by LRB and the involved trainer, the LD considered the nature of the violations to be extremely serious and decided to withdraw their recognition. The involved trainer was also disqualified from teaching the relevant Green Card Course.

     The LD attaches great importance to occupational safety and health (OSH). Pursuant to the risk-based principle, the LD formulates and adjusts corresponding strategies of inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion as well as education and training in a timely manner to actively promote the OSH culture. Enhancing the quality of recognised safety training course providers (TCPs) and their trainers is a crucial part of the education and training strategy. Since April this year, the LD has conducted special inspection operations targeting these TCPs and increased manpower to inspect the TCPs to ensure the quality of the courses.

     A spokesman for the LD said, "The LD is highly concerned about the quality of mandatory safety training courses. We will flexibly deploy manpower as needed to conduct special inspection operations to monitor whether the recognised TCPs comply with the approval conditions so as to ensure the standard of the training courses, allowing workers to receive appropriate OSH training and understand the importance of work safety.  If the TCPs do not comply with the approved conditions set by the LD, their recognition to operate the relevant courses would be withdrawn. The LD will continue to closely monitor and improve the quality of the TCPs and their trainers, and strive to enhance the standard of OSH in Hong Kong."

     In addition to explaining safety knowledge, legal requirements and work ethics to TCPs and their trainers through various channels, the LD also regularly co-organises online public lectures on "Professional Ethics and Conduct of Trainer of Mandatory Safety Training Courses" with the Occupational Safety and Health Council and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, for TCPs and trainers to enrol. The LD also held an "Online Seminar on Regulating Mandatory Safety Training Course Providers" on August 5 this year to allow the relevant providers and trainers to clearly understand the requirements and penalty mechanism of the approved conditions.
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     Currently, there are 123 recognised TCPs for the Green Card Courses. The relevant course information is available on the LD's website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/osh/content5.htm). Individuals who need to take the course may enrol with these recognised providers. For enquiries, please call the LD's Occupational Safety and Health Training Centre hotline at 2940 7064 or the department's occupational safety and health advisory service hotline at 2559 2297.

     The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Kevin Yeung, continued his visit to Paris, France, yesterday (September 5, Paris time).

     Mr Yeung explored for stronger collaboration between the two places on creative industry and design with the President-Executive of SAFI (parent company of Maison&Objet), Mr Philippe Delhomme, as well as the Partnerships and Special Events Manager of Maison&Objet and Paris Design Week, Ms Audrey Joly, in the morning. Mr Yeung said that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has clear policy on development of cultural and creative industries to support Hong Kong as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan. He expressed hope that Hong Kong and Paris would establish close co-operation, setting up an exchange platform for designers on both sides.

     Mr Yeung later officiated at the opening ceremony of Hong Kong Design On Stage in the venue. In his opening remark, he said that with the theme "Improved Urban Lifestyle – Conscious Design", Hong Kong Design On Stage showcases innovate ideas of 10 Hong Kong designers. The exhibition will be shown in Hong Kong this December for the talented Hong Kong designers to gain more exposure to the industry and showcase the power of Hong Kong's design.

     Mr Yeung at noon witnessed the signing of memorandum between the Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Mrs Lowell Cho, and Mr Philippe Delhomme to establish long term co-operation in creative industry and design, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong's reputation as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

     Mr Yeung then met with the Executive President of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, Mr Pascal Morand, to learn about the development of fashion industry in France. Mr Yeung also briefed Mr Pascal Morand on Hong Kong Fashion Design Week and extended an invitation to them to join the event. Moreover, Mr Yeung introduced to Mr Pascal Morand Hong Kong's recent development as a mega events capital. With France's long history and high reputation as a fashion capital, representatives from Hong Kong and France exchanged views to strengthen collaboration in organising mega events on both sides.

     In his subsequence visit to the Paris Design Week, Mr Yeung learned about how the annual event creates a platform for French and emerging international designers to showcase their talent.

     â€‹Mr Yeung today (September 6, Paris time) will continue his visit in Paris and call on the Chinese Ambassador to France, Mr Lu Shaye, and brief him on Hong Kong's latest development in culture, sports and tourism.

          

     The Central Tender Board and the Public Works Tender Board announce that the closing time for tenders to be received through the Government Secretariat Tender Box or the Public Works Tender Box at noon today (September 6) has been extended to noon on September 9 (Monday) due to tropical cyclone.