Business Environment Council Limited (“BEC”) joined hands with Network of Environmental Student Societies (“NESS”) to organise the first-ever “BEC X NESS Green Jobs Fair 2023” on 1 April at BEC Auditorium and Exhibition Hall, bringing together companies, universities, students, and government officials to initiate a four-way discussion. Mr Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, was invited as the Guest of Honour to officiate at the opening ceremony.
The one-day Green Jobs Fair aims at addressing the current knowledge and skill gap in the Hong Kong green job market through panel discussions, speed-networking sessions, job booths, and dialogue with government officials. Students and young leaders could identify the skills and knowledge necessary to enter Hong Kong’s green job market, while participating companies could showcase the variety and availability of green jobs and sustainability programmes in Hong Kong. Though this fair, BEC and NESS hoped to reduce the expectation-communication gap between companies and job-seeking youngsters.
At the opening ceremony, Mr Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology said, “The Government attaches great importance to enhancing young people’s awareness of sustainable development. We believe that the active engagement of our young people in the promotion of sustainable development could help cultivate a sustainability mindset for them. They will in the long run become an invaluable asset to the green jobs market and contribute enormously to our green business community. Today’s Green Jobs Fair is a meaningful start. I foresee that there will be more similar events to come in the future to offer more new opportunities to our young people.”
Mr Kevin O’Brien, Chairman of BEC, said, “Students are experts in the making. Throughout the years, BEC has recruited numerous talented local university graduates and offered them the opportunities to grow into full-fledged environmental and sustainability professionals. BEC Institute of Environmental Education is also exploring the prospect of offering comprehensive training courses in response to the surging demand for ESG and sustainability professionals in the local green job market.”
Ms Hermia Chan and Mr Mark Cheung, Co-founders of NESS said, “Every job could be and should be a ‘green job’, as all sectors transition towards a net-zero future. Our generation seeks jobs with purposes and impacts, a stark reminder for companies to be more ambitious in their sustainability and climate actions.”
At the closing ceremony, Mr Simon Ng, Chief Executive Officer of BEC, expressed his sincere gratitude to all sponsors for their overwhelming support for this inaugural event. He said BEC will continue to serve as a super-connector linking businesses, universities, students, and the government to nurture young, green talents, and to enable more green job opportunities in Hong Kong.
Sponsors of BEC x NESS Green Jobs Fair are corporates from a diverse range of industries (in alphabetical order):
- Baguio Green Group
- BEAM Society Limited
- Gammon Construction Limited
- MTR Corporation Limited
- Schneider Electric (Hong Kong) Limited
- Siemens Limited
- Sino Group
- Swire Pacific Limited
- The Hongkong Electric Company Limited
- Veolia Hong Kong Holding Limited
Mr Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology, delivers his opening address for BEC X NESS Green Jobs Fair 2023
(From left) Ms Hermia Chan and Mr Mark Cheung, Co-founders of NESS; Mr Kevin O’Brien, Chairman of BEC; Mr Tse Chin-wan, Secretary for Environment and Ecology; Dr Samuel Chui, Director of Environmental Protection; Mr Simon Ng, CEO of BEC, officiate at BEC X NESS Green Jobs Fair 2023
Mr Simon Ng, CEO of BEC (right), moderates “Dialogue with the Government: Nurturing Green Talents” with Dr Samuel Chui, Director of Environmental Protection (2nd from left)
Green job booths are set up to showcase the variety and availability of green jobs and sustainability programmes in Hong Kong