New Collaborative Training Work Trade – “Handcrafted Trail Worker”

The Hong Kong Institute of Construction has introduced a new work trade under the Intermediate Tradesman Collaborative Training Scheme – “Handcrafted Trail Worker”, aiming to nurture craftsmen who combine environmental awareness with artisanal skills, driving diversified development in the local construction industry.

Building paths in harmony with nature, creating a sustainable future together

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has long adopted the “Handcrafted Trail” approach to construct and maintain hiking trails in Hong Kong’s country parks, enabling the public and visitors to enjoy nature. In recent years, the Civil Engineering and Development Department has also actively applied this method in developing sustainable leisure and recreational facilities. For example, in the “Round-The- Island Trial” project, the section from South Bay Beach to Chung Hom Kok Service Reservoir is the first hiking trail outside a country park in Hong Kong built using the handcrafted trail technique.

This method uses natural materials and manual labour to build trails that blend seamlessly into the environment, emphasizing:

• Local sourcing: Utilize on-site materials to reduce transportation of external resources, lowering carbon emissions and resource consumption.
• Low-impact construction: Employ manual work and hand tools for installation and maintenance, minimizing disruption to habitats and reducing impact on hikers.
• Landscape integration: Design trails that harmonize with natural terrain and cultural context, enhancing user experience and connection with nature.

Cultivating Craftsmanship – Connecting City and Nature

The training program combines trail-building skills, environmental principles, and on-the-job training:

• Skills training: Teach techniques for constructing and maintaining trails to support countryside infrastructure.
• Environmental awareness: Promote low-carbon construction and deepen respect for the natural environment.
• On-the-job training: Adopt a “first-hire, then-train” approach, providing systematic workplace training to strengthen professional standards and advance sustainable development.

Eligibility: Please refer to the Intermediate Tradesman Collaborative Training Scheme.