Management and Support Branch

Immigration Service Institute of Training and Development

The ISITD is responsible for identifying the training needs of Immigration Service members, formulating the annual training and staff development plan, conducting in-service training and evaluating the effectiveness of training programmes. It also provides training courses and learning resources for Immigration Service members to ensure that service staff at different levels are equipped with the necessary skills to meet challenges. It also promotes the culture of life-long learning in the department.

The ISITD is a 13-storey purpose-built complex that houses a variety of training and residential facilities. Generic facilities include a drill ground, classrooms, a lecture theatre, an indoor swimming pool, a Learning Resource Centre, an Information Resources Centre, an obstacle training ground, a physical fitness centre and a gymnasium with elevated running tracks. Specific training facilities such as an Immigration Control System (ICONS) Training Centre, an Automated Immigration Clearance Training Centre, video recording interview rooms, a mock court, a Simulation Tactical Training Centre and a newly built Simulated Isolation Cell and Protected Room are set up to cater for job-related training in a mock environment. The ISITD also provides residential facilities for trainees to help cultivate a sense of discipline and to boost esprit de corps. In addition, the Training Gallery at the ISITD aims at providing better knowledge on the work and historical development of the department.

The ISITD serves to equip service staff with professional knowledge and skills for serving the community. The ISITD keeps enhancing the induction and in-service training so as to keep pace with the department's latest development. The ISITD also actively collaborates with the Mainland and overseas counterparts in organising exchange programmes. In addition, to promote life-long learning and personal development, the department sponsors staff to undertake various training programmes provided by other government departments or outside organisations.

The ISITD conducts two major categories of training, namely induction training and in-service training. Induction training aims to equip new recruits with the necessary skills and knowledge for performing duties. The duration of the induction training programme for Immigration Assistants is 14 weeks, whereas that for Immigration Officers is 25 weeks. The training curriculum is a combination of theories and practices, covering areas of laws, immigration policies and procedures, as well as the functions and organisation of the department, with particular emphasis on nourishing a strong sense of discipline and developing commitment to serving the community effectively and efficiently. It also includes foot drills, tactical training, physical fitness, swimming and first aid. During the training, the management and leadership skills of Immigration Officers are further strengthened through management workshops, supervision exercises and leadership training camps.

In 2019, 165 Immigration Officers and 501 Immigration Assistants completed induction training at the ISITD.

Immigration staff undergo diverse and multi-disciplinary training at ISITD.

In 2019, the ISITD organised various in-service training courses, such as Senior Immigration Officer Management Competency Courses, Leadership Breakthrough Courses, Immigration Officer Enhancement Courses, Building a Supportive Team Programmes, Team Building Programmes for Frontline Staff, the Professional Certificate Programme in Frontline Management in Immigration Services and Control, the Professional Certificate Programme in Preparatory Management in Immigration Services and Control and the Professional Diploma Programme in Immigration Control and Passenger Clearance, for 3,945 officers of different ranks to sharpen their minds and skills.

Training courses on ICONS and Automated Immigration Clearance are also provided for service staff of control points. In 2019, a total of 77 officers and supervisors working at control points attended these courses.

Various in-service training courses organised for officers of different ranks.

The department has been committed to providing flexible and diverse learning pathways for members of the Immigration Service with a view to enhancing the quality of the Immigration Service, while promoting life-long learning culture among its members to facilitate their personal development. Since 2018, the department has been collaborating with the Open University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education to offer three training programmes for the Immigration Assistant grade. These programmes are recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF). Under the QF, the newly recruited Immigration Assistants who have completed the induction training programme will be awarded a Professional Diploma in Immigration Services and Control, which is at QF Level 4 (equivalent to the level of an associate degree or a higher diploma). In addition, Senior Immigration Assistants and Chief Immigration Assistants who have completed the relevant in-service training programmes will be awarded a Professional Certificate in Preparatory Management in Immigration Services and Control, which is at QF Level 4 (equivalent to the level of an associate degree), and a Professional Certificate in Frontline Management in Immigration Services and Control, which is at QF Level 5 (equivalent to the bachelor's degree level) respectively. As at the end of 2019, a total of 1,087 members of the Immigration Service had completed the training programmes.

In November 2019, the ISITD marked another milestone by making application, in the capacity of programme operator, to the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications for accreditation of its courses to include its induction training programme for Immigration Officers and passenger clearance programme for in-service Immigration Assistants in the Qualifications Register (QR). Under the QF, newly recruited Immigration Officers who have completed the relevant programme will be awarded a Professional Diploma in Management in Immigration Services and Control for Immigration Officers, which is at QF Level 5 (equivalent to the bachelor's degree level), while in-service Immigration Assistants who have completed the relevant programme will be awarded a Professional Diploma in Immigration Control and Passenger Clearance, which is at QF Level 4 (equivalent to the level of an associate degree or a higher diploma).

From the accreditation of the above programmes to the end of 2019, a total of 67 Probationaty Immigration Officers and 40 Immigration Assistants had participated in these programmes. The department will continue to apply for the inclusion of various training programmes in the QR so that more service members can acquire the relevant professional qualifications.

The Department collaborated with the Open University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education to offer three induction and in-service training programmes for the Immigration Assistant grade. These programmes were recognised under the Qualifications Framework.

To adhere to the 'Care and Cohesion' value of the department and enhance mutual communication between the management and frontline staff, the ISITD collaborates with the Service Management Division to run a series of Workplace Visits. The activity provides an effective platform for our colleagues to share workplace experience on various topics, including effective communication skills and appraisal writing techniques. In 2019, the ISITD and the Service Management Division paid a total of 13 visits to different immigration offices and control points with the participation of 494 colleagues.

The ISITD also arranges for Immigration Service members of various ranks to attend training courses organised by other departments, organisations and institutes. These include management, language, communication and national studies courses organised by the Civil Service Training and Development Institute of the Civil Service Bureau; Command Courses and Criminal Investigation Courses organised by the Hong Kong Police Force; and Tactical Training jointly organised by the ISITD and the Correctional Services Department.

To better safeguard the safety of staff in the office and that of the public, the ISITD arranged for 99 and 64 in-service staff members to attend the Basic First Aid Course and the Refresher First Aid Course respectively during the year. Moreover, 29 in-service staff members and 773 induction trainees attended the Certificate in First Aid Course and the Automated External Defibrillation Provider Course respectively.

Human resource development is essential for a healthy and sustainable organisation. To prepare our staff to meet challenges, the ISITD continued to arrange for staff to attend various overseas training and exchange programmes with the relevant overseas law enforcement agencies with a view to broadening their global horizons, enhancing their knowledge and expertise, and developing their management skills, leadership and potential. In 2019, the department arranged for 26 officers to attend overseas exchange programmes and courses on management, development, anti-riot and investigation techniques.

Liaison and contact between the Department and the relevant authorities in the Mainland have become more frequent. In order to broaden our officers' horizons, enhance their understanding of the legal systems and social development of the Mainland, and develop a closer working partnership with the Mainland counterparts, the ISITD arranged for 159 officers of different ranks to attend training or exchange programmes in the Mainland in 2019.

Moreover, in order to strengthen exchanges and cooperation between the immigration authorities in Hong Kong and Macao, an exchange and cooperation mechanism was established between the department and the Public Security Police Force of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region in 2017 for enhancement of expertise of both parties and exchange of practical experience. In 2019, the ISITD arranged for 12 officers of different ranks to attend an exchange programme in Macao.

In 2019, the ISITD arranged for 9 delegations with a total of 137 Mainland officials and 1 delegation with a total of 14 Macao officials to attend exchange programmes in Hong Kong so as to enhance communication and co-operation with our Mainland and Macao counterparts.

The Department arranged different exchange programmes for Mainland and Overseas delegations.

To enhance communication skills and techniques in handling disputes, basic mediation techniques have been included in the Customer Service Workshop since July 2017. A total of 635 officers of the ranks from Immigration Assistant to Senior Immigration Officer participated in the workshop in 2019.

With a view to better preparing our frontline staff for dealing with complaints and conflicts in the workplace, a two-day advanced mediation and communication workshop for staff members of the ranks from Chief Immigration Assistant to Senior Immigration Officer was conducted by the ISITD in 2019. A total of 79 frontline staff members attended the workshop.

To enhance the awareness of staff members of the ranks from Immigration Assistant to Senior Immigration Officer about resistance control and escort safety, the ISITD continued to conduct half-day to two-day Tactical Training Refresher Courses, which covered topics such as resistance control techniques and the use of different types of self-defence equipment.

To enhance the tactical skills of frontline staff in discharging custodial duties, the department also arranged for a number of officers to attend the Certificate Course in Safe and Effective Control Tactics organised by the Correctional Services Department.

With a view to strengthening communication, teamwork and the sense of discipline of frontline staff, the ISITD introduced a five-day Building a Supportive Team Programme in August 2017 for the first time, targeting at staff members of the ranks of Immigration Officer, Chief Immigration Assistant and Senior Immigration Assistant. The new programme is designed to replace the existing Team Building Programme in order to provide more comprehensive training for frontline staff. In 2019, a total of 166 staff members received the relevant training.

To enable frontline staff to have a better understanding of emotion and positive thinking, and to help them tap their creativity and develop a positive and optimistic outlook on life, the ISITD has run a one-day Delighting Your Work Programme for frontline staff since January 2015. A total of 32 officers of the rank of Immigration Assistant attended the programme in 2019.

Psychological First Aid Course is a three day course that was jointly organised by ISITD, Immigration Wellness Service Centre and the Hong Kong Red Cross for frontline staff.

To further equip frontline staff to provide practicable assistance for Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong and their family members, the ISITD jointly organised a three-day Psychological First Aid Course with the Immigration Wellness Service Centre and the Hong Kong Red Cross for frontline staff. The course covered topics such as basic techniques on information collection, and quick assessment of the needs of the persons concerned and how to provide them with appropriate assistance flexibly. In 2019, a total of 56 staff members attended the course.

To promote life-long learning and to support our staff in coping with new challenges at work, the ISITD provides various e-learning programmes for our staff on the department's Intranet. The ISITD has also worked together with the Civil Service Bureau since May 2010 to launch e-learning programmes via the e-Learning Platform on the Cyber Learning Centre Plus. Through these two platforms, staff can learn according to their own pace and schedule.

Moreover, staff can borrow books of the Learning Resource Centre, browse videos and photographs of training activities and gain access to other useful reference materials through the ISITD's homepage on the department's Intranet.

'Immigration Department Youth Leaders' programme helps students foster positive values and the spirit of serving the society, as well as widen their horizons.

The department has always participated in youth training programmes. In 2019, the ISITD and the Education Bureau collaboratively organised a Smart Teen Challenge Camp for a total of 88 junior secondary school students. This five-day residential training camp aimed to boost students' self-confidence, self-discipline, esprit de corps and sense of discipline.

Since 2013, the department has introduced a youth training programme, namely 'Immigration Department Youth Leaders'. It aims at providing disciplinary and leadership training for students of Secondary Three to Secondary Six so as to help them foster positive values and the spirit of serving the community, and to widen their horizons. Since the introduction of the training programme of 'Immigration Department Youth Leaders', over 200 students have joined it.

Apart from enriching job-related knowledge and providing skill-based training, upholding high standard of integrity among staff of the department is of equal importance. To allow our staff to keep abreast of the up-to-date ethical guidelines on civil servants, the 'Guide on Conduct and Discipline' (the Guide) has been uploaded onto the Department's Intranet. The Guide lists real-life examples regarding conflict of interest and personal conduct. It also emphasises the role of supervisors in terms of accountability and dealing with conflict of interest. The department also reminds all staff to adhere to the core values stated in the Guide in order to uphold the highest standard of integrity and to enhance the quality and efficiency of our services provided for the community.

The Immigration Department Consultative Committee is a formal consultative forum between management and staff. It aims at achieving a better understanding of and promoting co-operation between both sides on matters affecting staff's well-being such as conditions of service, quarters, training, promotion and career development. The committee meets quarterly and is chaired by Assistant Director (Management and Support). The official side comprises 6 members, while the staff side comprises 20 members who are representatives from the Officer, Rank and File and civilian grades. A representative from the Civil Service Bureau also attends the meetings of the committee.

Apart from formal and informal meetings between management and staff, Welfare Officers of the department pay regular visits to staff at their workplace to understand their concerns and feelings. To maintain closer contact with frontline staff, foster understanding among staff members and strengthen esprit de corps and communication, the Frontline Supporting Team (the Team) was formed in July 2007 under the Welfare Section to conduct frequent welfare visits to frontline service staff with a view to sharing views on work-related issues and relaying their requests. From its establishment to 31 December 2019, the Team paid 311 visits to various frontline sections and offices.

In addition, Welfare Officers pay hospital and home visits to staff who are ill or injured so as to provide after-care assistance for those in need. In 2019, 255 consolation enquiries and 8 hospital and home visits were made.

Welfare Officers also conduct personal interviews with officers who feel stressed due to work pressure or personal problems and provide them with counselling service or assistance. In 2019, 33 interviews were conducted.

Immigration Wellness Service Centre was set up in March 2008.

In order to render extensive support for the mental health of our staff and provide immediate counselling service for the staff in need, the Immigration Wellness Service Centre (the Centre) was set up in March 2008 and a Clinical Psychologist was employed. The Clinical Psychologist provides professional counselling service to help staff manage pressure arising from their work and life positively. Moreover, the Clinical Psychologist assists the management in formulating and implementing departmental programmes, such as Delighting Your Work, Stress Management, and Post-traumatic Stress Responses and Interventions, for the psychological well-being and mental health of staff. As at 31 December 2019, the Centre had provided counselling service for 2,223 staff members and organised 367 workshops.

In addition, to foster a healthy and balanced lifestyle among staff, the Centre organises programmes on promotion of physical and mental health for all staff members, and professional speakers are invited from time to time to deliver health talks on various topics. As at 31 December 2019, the Centre had organised 63 health talks for our staff to raise their health consciousness.

A Peer Support Network (the Network) was built in 2008 to enhance peer support among staff of various sections. At present, more than 300 disciplined and civilian staff have enrolled as peer counsellors under the Network and they have all received training in basic counselling skills and introduction to mental health. The Clinical Psychologist and Welfare Officers also visit the peer counsellors from time to time to learn about their counselling service and to give them suggestions on how to handle difficult cases. The Centre will continue to provide suitable courses for the peer counsellors to enhance their counselling skills and invite more staff to join the Network.

Various speakers were invited to deliver health talks to our staff during lunch to raise their health awareness.

Sports and recreational activities for staff and their families are organised by the Immigration Department Staff Club round the year to promote a healthy lifestyle, enhance understanding among staff members and boost esprit de corps. With the support of the Sports and Recreation Team of the Welfare Section, a wide range of sports activities including Dragon Boat Races, various ball games, the Sports Day, the Swimming Gala, the 7-km Long Distance Run and regular Yoga classes were arranged for staff in 2019. Other recreational programmes such as hiking, summer cruises, nighttime cuttlefish fishing, the Christmas Children's Party, the Annual Dinner, the Departmental Karaoke Competition and the Chinese New Year gathering organised during the year were also well received by staff and their families.

Sports and recreational activities are organised round the year by the Immigration Department Staff Club for staff and their families to promote a healthy lifestyle among the staff.

To promote the substainability of the Departmental Sports Teams and esprit de corps of the department, the Immigration Department Staff Club has appointed 16 officers as the team managers of the Departmental Sports Teams since 2014. Under the leadership of the team managers, representatives from the Departmental Sports Team spend their spare time to organise trainings and participate in inter-disciplined services and open competitions, which have greatly raised the team spirit and promoted work-life balance among colleagues.

We continued to attain excellent results in various disciplined services tournaments and open competitions in 2019. The Women's Volleyball Team in particular won the championship in the Disciplined Services Volleyball Competition for two consecutive years. Moreover, representatives from the Departmental Sports Teams participated in the World Police and Fire Games held in Chengdu, Sichuan, in August 2019 and achieved splendid results in numerous events, including men's table tennis, men's race walking, women's swimming, women's triathlon and women's rugby sevens.

The Immigration Band was established in May 2015. It has performed in departmental functions and parades as an amateur marching band. The band has also been invited to perform on various occasions, such as the departmental annual dinner. Besides the Immigration March, the band also excels in playing famous songs from across the world and popular easy-listening music. As at 31 December 2019, more than 50 disciplined staff members from various sections had participated in the Band.

The Immigration Band

To encourage our staff to participate in voluntary social services during their spare time, the Immigration Department Volunteer Work Team was set up under the Immigration Department Staff Club in June 2002. The team has participated in a wide range of community services and charity events, such as 'Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics', 'Hong Kong Special Marathon', 'Life Buddies Mentoring Scheme', etc. Overall, the team contributed over 7,500 hours of volunteer service to the community in 2019 and was awarded the Gold Award for Volunteer Service from the Volunteer-in-Chief and the Director of Social Welfare.

The Gold Award for Volunteer Service

The Immigration Service Welfare Fund is established under the Immigration Service Ordinance for the purposes of procuring benefits for and granting loans to members or former members of the Immigration Service. The fund also provides grants for dependants who need financial assistance for funeral expenses in respect of any deceased member or deceased former member of the Immigration Service.

In 2019, $1,467,561.55 was spent on welfare equipment, consolation gifts, sports, recreational activities, etc.