With the rapid developments of Hong Kong in the 60’s and 70’s, we have transformed ourselves from being a developing economy to a more mature and sophisticated developed society. Back then, there were only two universities, and now we have eight. We can see that the average education level in Hong Kong had been increasing, from the mandatory secondary education and with more opportunities with various tertiary institutions. Ten years ago, only 30% of the population aged 25-34 have received tertiary education, while it is now 48%. Being a university graduate nowadays will not guarantee you a job with huge compensation package. Even the status of being a university graduate is not the same as before. It may now be a good time for our younger generation to cometo terms with the reality of the current job market – should we all look for white-collar office jobs? Or there are actually better options in other areas of work?
A good, stable and satisfying job may not necessary need a qualification from the universities. Take the mining industry in Australia and Canada as an example, being a miner, a technician or a chef in the mines can land you up to HK$1m a year. In the U.S., elevator mechanics and plumbers are attractive work in terms of job security, stability and monetary return. As a qualified plumber, one will earn an average annual income of US$50,000 (approximately HK$400,000). Of course, one will need intense training in all these areas, rather than the only path through university education.
In Hong Kong, many young people only focus on white-collar office works and believe a blue-collar job is of a lesser social standing. With the low unemployment rate in Hong Kong, many employers are offering more attractive salary packages and working environment for the blue-collar occupations, gradual narrowing the compensation gap level between the white- and blue-collar work base. Some blue-collar work is constantly hiring with attractive offers. People with particular technical skill-set in the construction industry is now in definite short supply: the daily wage of a steel bender can be as high as HK$4,000 a day, and with only 15 days’ work; the monetary return can be as high as HK$720,000 a year. Monetary return alone is higher than most of the university graduates’ starting salary in Hong Kong, which is averaged at HK$185,000 per annum. As listed in the Economic Daily newspaper, a cargo assistant and warehouse assistant entry level job at HK$12,000 a month, with additional benefits like double pay and allowances. These jobs also offer a clear career path and job security.
Striving for a higher academic and intellectual education will enhance the overall being of the society, but white-collar office work does not necessarily mean a job that suits your interest and passion. Young people should not have tunnel vision on the job-spectrum – they should instead broaden their scope and find a suitable job that suits them. The development of vocational training and technical colleges should not be overlooked. There should not be any discrimination against blue-collar works – it is only the skill-set that is different as compared to the white collars works. No matter what field one is in, it is of equal importance and carries the same contribution to the society.
We should try to let-go of our traditional view and discrimination towards blue-collar jobs in the market. We need to move on, and help building up Hong Kong like our forefathers had.
Dr. Lianne Lam
June 19, 2014
