The construction industry has traditionally been perceived as primarily male dominated. However, women can be as capable as men, and more of them joining the field and exhibiting remarkable talent. Among them, Ms Katey Lau stands out as a trailblazer. With her exceptional perseverance and courage to continually enhance herself, she not only earned recognition as an outstanding apprentice by VTC, but also honoured with the prestigious Sir Edward Youde Memorial Outstanding Apprentice Award. Despite these accomplishments, Katey did not become complacent; instead, she aspired to become an exceptional building services engineer, accomplishing her dream as a builder.
In her career, Katey has been involved in notable projects such as the Lung Shan Tunnel and the Tseung Kwan O Chinese Medicine Hospital. She has mastered the intricacies of air-conditioning engineering, and is pursuing a master's degree in fire engineering, aiming to further enhance her skills by encompassing both the "wind" and the "fire" aspects of her profession. She has now advanced to the position of Senior Building Services Engineer. Katey encourages younger generations, particularly women, to fearlessly explore the path ahead, embracing challenges with confidence, and contributing to the ongoing success of the engineering industry. Through her own experiences, she has demonstrated that women have the capability to excel in the engineering field.
Finding One's Way, Guided by VPET
Reflecting on her secondary school years, Katey vividly remembered making the difficult decision to drop out due to the overwhelming academic pressure. She openly shared, "At that time, the word 'courage' was constantly on my mind. I attempted to secure employment, but the harsh realities of society taught me that progressing without skills or qualifications was indeed challenging." Eventually, she enrolled in a vocational diploma programme at Youth College, VTC, equipping herself with essential workplace skills and gradually finding her career direction.
During her studies, Katey had the opportunity to learn from a senior engineer who had participated in an apprenticeship programme. This encounter sparked her deep interest in building services engineering, encompassing the vital elements of "wind", "fire", "water", and "electricity". Recognising the benefits of concurrent employment and continued education, she decided to follow in her senior's footsteps, becoming an apprentice while pursuing a Higher Diploma. With courage, she embarked on the less chosen path of engineering apprenticeship by women, opening herself up to the vast possibilities of apprenticeship development.
Throughout her rigorous apprenticeship training, Katey gained invaluable practical experience. As an apprentice in air-conditioning systems engineering, she was responsible for the "wind" aspect, including activities such as ventilation duct installation, equipment assembly, maintenance, and other related procedures. With the careful guidance of her mentor, she continuously practiced and honed her theoretical knowledge as well as practical skills more effectively. Additionally, she learned to leverage the latest industry technologies, like Building Information Modelling (BIM), for engineering design. The “skills transmission, assistance and guidance” from her mentor deeply instilled in Katey the true essence of passing down of knowledge and skills from one generation to the next.
The Apprentice’s Road, Multiple Accolades
For Katey, who did not excel academically, balancing work and studies during her apprenticeship proved to be a significant challenge. Nevertheless, she compensated for her academic shortcomings through her diligence. Although she invested more time compared to others and had to retake certain subjects, her determination never wavered. Although there were moments late at night when she would question herself, "As a girl, why am I working so tirelessly in the industry every day?" However, through her sweat and perseverance, she gradually came to realise that women could have equal opportunities for development in the construction industry. Thankfully, her efforts did not go unnoticed. In 2018, she was recognised as Outstanding Apprentice by VTC and was awarded the prestigious Sir Edward Youde Memorial Outstanding Apprentice Award. These awards not only acknowledged her hard work but also reinforced her aspiration to become an professional engineer.
The Apprentice Shines, Pursuing Lifelong Learning
After completing her studies, Katey joined a mechanical and electrical engineering contractor and took part in the Lung Shan Tunnel project, which connects the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. Despite enduring scorching summer temperatures and carrying heavy instruments on her back, she ventured into the tunnel daily for inspections. Her responsibilities included monitoring the effectiveness of the ventilation works in the pipeline. Though it’s tiring, Katey found deep satisfaction in the smooth cooperation with her team and the safe completion of her duties.
During her work, Katey closely observed how engineers managed projects and identified her own shortcomings. She believed that continuous learning was essential for her professional growth. She then enrolled in a top-up bachelor’s programme in building services engineering through SHAPE at an overseas university to enhance her competitiveness. Furthermore, starting last year, she pursued a Master of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering at a local university, aiming to expand her professional expertise.
Last year, Katey was honoured to be recruited by China State Construction Engineering (Hong Kong) Limited, as a senior building services engineer at Hong Kong's first traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital in Tseung Kwan O. Her responsibilities included the design of ventilation systems, and taking up duties in project execution. She felt blessed to be part of such a significant project, in which the contentment was brought by the trust earned in the company, the spirit of teamwork, and the warm working environment. She also noted that the company places great importance on the "passing down" of knowledge and skills, reminiscent of her own apprenticeship training days. Now Katey has the opportunity to share her experiences and knowledge with younger generations, which brings her immense joy.
Phoenix Ascends, Transmitting the Flame
With nearly a decade of experience in the industry, Katey's career has soared, and her life has entered a new chapter in becoming a mother. She takes immense pride to say, "I can proudly tell my child that I have contributed to the construction of numerous large-scale projects in Hong Kong, and I have indeed achieved that!"
To youngsters aspiring to enter the construction industry, she encourages them to maintain a sense of curiosity, embrace exploration, avoid complacency, and continuously acquire new knowledge and enhance their skills. She particularly encourages female aspiring to join the field, to believe in their attentiveness and perseverance which will enable them to establish their foothold and shine within the industry.
