78 | JNA September/October 2023 MARKET INTELLIGENCE 市场情报 | Sharon Kwok 郭芷雯 | J-Hub’s workshop J-Hub工作坊 Amid continued recovery in Hong Kong’s jewellery trade is a growing demand for skilled craftsmen; omnichannel marketing and after-sales specialists; and other fresh talents. This shortage in creative and technical manpower in Hong Kong has been going on for years and is gradually impacting businesses, revealed the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council (HKVTC). According to Ricky Lam, CEO of Elegance Jewellery International Ltd (EJI) and chairman of HKVTC’s Jewellery and Timepiece Training Board, several companies downsized during the pandemic as revenues dipped. With recovery at hand, jewellers are again recruiting skilled professionals but this has been challenging. “People sought out different paths after being laid off. Some industry veterans started their own business while others left the jewellery industry entirely,” he explained. Lam has been advocating for industry efforts to nurture homegrown talents for the jewellery industry over the last decade. He shares his 40-year experience in and knowledge of the trade with students at various events while helping optimise jewellery-related vocational programmes. “Vocational programmes in Hong Kong are mostly theory-based, so students would need to acquire more skills upon graduation to get employed,” he remarked. “My role is to foster communications between industry stakeholders and HKVTC and provide insights into essential knowledge and techniques required for jewellery practitioners.” Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association (HKJMA) can help fill this gap. HKJMA established J-Hub in 2020 to hone new talents and support start-ups, according to Lam, who is also convenor of J-Hub’s management committee. He said the two organisations complement each other in supporting young talent - HKVTC provides theory-focused courses for students while J-Hub offers them a platform to obtain practical training and experience. Located in an 8,000-square-foot facility, J-Hub provides an array of services and facilities, focusing on four main aspects of jewellery manufacturing: Design, education, craftsmanship and certification. “Moving forward, it is important to reinforce our position as a fine jewellery capital with outstanding craftsmanship as well as to preserve our artistic heritage by inspiring younger generations to join the industry,” noted Lam. “In this way, we can move the local jewellery industry forward and help Hong Kong-made jewellery shine brighter on the global stage.” Hong Kong is an international jewellery trading centre widely recognised not only for its tax-free status but for one-of-a-kind craftsmanship and jewellery designs. Shortage in fresh talents, however, is affecting business operations. Industry expert Ricky Lam talks about collective efforts to address this issue. 中国香港作为国际珠宝贸易中心，一直声誉昭 著，它不仅拥有免税区优势，业界的精湛的工艺和别出心裁的设计更是享誉全球。然而，近年行业面 对青黄不接、人手不足的处境，严重影响业务发展。行业专家林志强表示业界正合力解决相关问题。 Cultivating talents in HK jewellery sector 培养香港珠宝業人才 随着香港地区珠宝业持续复苏，对熟手珠宝工匠、 全渠道营销和售后服务专员等的需求日益上升。 香港职业训练局表示，香港创意和技术人才短缺 的情况已持续多年，并逐渐影响企业运作。 雅宝珠宝国际有限公司(EJI)首席执行官、兼香港职业训 练局珠宝及钟表业训练委员会主席林志强表示，不少公司 在疫情期间收入下跌，因此缩减人手。随着市况逐渐复苏， 珠宝公司需要重新招聘熟练的专才時，就显得困难重重。 林志强解释道：“同业离职後已寻找不同的出路。有些较 资深的员工会创业，而另一些人则完全离开了珠宝业。” 林志强纵横珠宝业40年，在过去的十年间，他一直致力 为珠宝业培养本地人才。他在不同的活动中与学生分享其 丰富的经验和知识，同时协助优化与珠宝相关的职训课程。 林志强说：“香港地区的职训课程大多以理论为本，所以 学生在毕业后需要掌握更多技能方可成功获得聘用。我的 角色是促进行业持份者与香港职业训练局之间的沟通，让 相关部门了解珠宝从业员应具备的基本知识和技术。” 香港珠宝制造业厂商会于2020年成立J-Hub，以栽培业 界新人并支持初创企业。林志强身兼J-Hub管理委员会召集 人，他指香港职业训练局为学生提供以理论为基础的课程， 而J-Hub则为他们提供平台以获取实用的珠宝制造经验，两 者相辅相成，培育年轻人才。 J-Hub工坊占地8,000平方呎，提供一系列服务和设施， 服务以珠宝制造的四大元素为主：设计、教育、工艺和认证。 林志强说：“展望未来，我们须提升香港地区作为高端珠 宝之都的定位，传承香港珠宝制造业的卓越工艺，鼓励年轻 一代加入珠宝业。我们才可推动本地珠宝业向前迈进，让香 港珠宝炫动全球。”
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