An agile and well-trained workforce can respond to changes in the business environment and increased competition. We need talented individuals to want to work for us. We aim to provide training to enable our employees to realise their full potential.
All new employees take part in induction programmes. These programmes include anti-discrimination and anti-corruption training and visits to our businesses.
Swire Properties’ training video helps those joining to familiarise themselves with their roles and responsibilities. There are also weekly job familiarisation sessions. Cathay Pacific’s Brushwingers orientation programme helps those joining to understand Cathay Pacific and its culture and values.
We aim to attract and retain outstanding people and enable them to realise their career goals. We develop our people by on-the-job learning, mentoring or coaching, classroom training and online learning. In 2018, the average number of hours of training per employee was 40.72, a 22.7% increase from the previous year.
Swire Properties’ two year ‘Achieving Excellence’ programme aims to help managers develop their careers and gain a deeper understanding of Swire Properties’ commitment to sustainable development. There are workshops on leadership development, presentation skills, strategic thinking, fostering teamwork and performance management. Participants meet senior executives on a one-to-one basis.
Cathay Pacific Services, Hong Kong Airport Services and Vogue Laundry Services arrange soft skills training courses. In 2018, there were workshops dealing with on the job coaching, report writing skills and project management skills.
Our in-house leadership development company Ethos International designs and delivers learning and development programmes for Swire group management staff. High potential managers are enrolled in business management and executive programmes at INSEAD and Stanford. Ethos’ training programmes emphasise sustainability and develop a strong corporate culture and leadership style that is consistent with Swire’s values.
Every year, we recruit high-calibre graduates for a long-term career. Over the next 15 years, graduates are coached, mentored and sent on courses and the next steps of their careers are planned. During their training, they are given an understanding of sustainable development and the business opportunities it generates.
In 2018, 568 people participated in leadership and executive management training programmes, a 4.3% increase from 2017. Participants in the programmes received more than 36,000 hours of training. Since 2015, 2,216 participants in the programmes have received more than 135,000 hours of training.
Our summer internship programme gives exceptional students the opportunity to gain experience of working at Swire. Interns learn about what we do and our values and then work on business projects at our operating companies.
Many of our businesses have their own apprenticeships, traineeships and internship programmes. Swire Hotels has an 18-month international operations management trainee programme, providing exposure to hotel operations in Hong Kong and Mainland China. Cathay Pacific Catering Services has a nine-month aviation catering programme for young people.
Below is a description of Cathay Pacific training programmes:
| Career choices | Brief description |
|---|---|
| Management Trainee | A three-year development programme for the next generation of business leaders. The programme comprises classroom training, workshops and attachments to business units. |
| Graduate Engineer Programme | A two-year development programme for graduate engineers. Participants receive classroom training and on-the-job experience. |
| Cadet Pilot | A 55-week programme in Australia to train participants to qualify as commercial pilots. |
| Cabin Crew | A safety and service induction training programme followed by a three-year contract for cabin crew. |
| Customer Services Officer | A 12-month development programme for customer service officers. |
| IT Graduate Trainee Programme | A two-year programme for IT graduates. |
| Operational Leadership Programme | An eight-year programme of on the job experience in business units for future leaders. |
In August 2018, HAECO Hong Kong established its ‘Director as a Mentor’ programme, designed to foster sustainable leadership among potential staff members. Senior HAECO directors mentor 40 future leaders of the business over 12 months. The mentees are high flyers, graduate trainees and Swire management trainees from Hong Kong and Xiamen.
Participants received briefings and guidelines on programme objectives, role profiles and responsibilities. All pairs were required to have conducted their first session by the end of 2018.
In 2018, Swire Pacific Offshore received a SkillsFuture Employer Award in Singapore. SkillsFuture is a national movement providing Singapore citizens with opportunities to develop their fullest potential. SkillsFuture celebrates the skills, passion and contributions of every individual to drive Singapore's next phase of development towards an advanced economy and an inclusive society.
SPO is recognised for its strong emphasis on and continuous investment in its people. During the award ceremony, SkillsFuture highlighted the Swire Pacific Offshore training centre and the Swire Marine Training Centre. These centres provide training for seafarers, in-house leadership development programmes for shore-based employees, e-learning portals and a management trainee programme.
Photo credit: SkillsFuture Singapore
