The "Life Planning Education - Profession in the Risk Management Sector" seminar, organised by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and supported by the Insurance Authority and Committee on Home-School Co-operation, was successfully held this afternoon (April 27). Targetting teachers who provide career guidance to students and parents, the seminar gave an overview of how the risk management profession contributes to economic development; the diversity of career opportunities in the middle and back offices; and the bright prospects driven by the strong demand for talent. The aim was to encourage more local graduates to join the risk management profession and further enhance the sustainable development of the industry.
 
     Comprising two sessions, the seminar was part of the public education activities under the "Pilot Programme to Enhance Talent Training for the Insurance Secto" and attracted over 200 teachers, parents and students. Guests included the Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Joseph Chan; the Chairman of the Insurance Authority, Dr Moses Cheng; and the Convenor of Committee on Home-School Co-operation, Ms Emily Mok.
 
     At the seminar, senior risk management practitioners briefed participants on the development of the risk management profession. There was also a group discussion that aimed to enhance teachers and parents' understanding of the industry and profession.  
 
     In his opening remarks, Mr Joseph Chan said that the risk management profession is a major pillar of the financial services industry in Hong Kong. He pointed out that risk management is a highly professional sector involved in different areas ranging from infrastructural projects like the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the Shatin to Central Link, to various risks faced by individuals in their daily lives. There is strong demand for talent in the middle and back office positions in the industry. In this connection, the Government launched the three-year "Pilot Programme to Enhance Talent Training for the Insurance Sector" in August 2016, with the aim of nurturing fresh blood for the industry, particularly for middle and back offices, and promoting public awareness that, in addition to frontline jobs, positions in middle and back offices are professional with good career prospects.
 
     The Pilot Programme has enrolled 88 students to the Work and Learn Programme and the Summer Internship Programme and subsidised 39 professional training programmes under the "Financial Incentive Scheme for Professional Training", benefiting more than 1,970 people so far.  Moreover, the Pilot Programme has promoted the important role of the insurance industry in the well-being of the economy, and the professionalism of middle and back office positions, to the public through diverse channels such as TV, MTR and bus body advertising, seminars, exhibitions and workshops. In the coming year, the Pilot Programme will host an inter-school competition and life planning and risk management workshops to educate students about the diversity of positions in the risk management sector and the career opportunities they offer.
 
     For more information about the Pilot Programme, please refer to www.instalent.org.hk.

Ends/Friday, April 27, 2018
Issued at HKT 17:31

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