Following the implementation of the property management licensing regime (licensing regime), the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) announced today the details of the Continuing Professional Development Scheme (the Scheme) under the licensing regime for participation by property management practitioner licencees on a voluntary basis during the transitional period (ending on July 31, 2023) of the licensing regime.
PMSA Chairperson Mr Tony TSE said, “The Scheme aims to equip licensees, through participation in activities/courses held or recognised by PMSA, with up-to-date property management knowledge and skills, thereby enhancing the quality and professionalism of the property management industry. Through the Scheme, licensed property management companies can also actively promote employee training, establishing a corporate culture of lifelong learning and continually enhancing the quality of the service provided by their employees.”
The Scheme will use the calendar year (from 1 January to 31 December of each year) as its counting unit. Licencees at all levels, whether holding provisional or formal licences, may participate.
In addition to the relevant activities organised by the PMSA under the Scheme for the licensees, the PMSA will also recognise and accept continuing education programmes organised by other statutory bodies, Government departments, professional bodies or institutions (including PMSA Recognised Professional Bodies) if they meet the criteria of the Scheme. Activities/courses held by education institutions which are regulated by the Education Bureau and activities/courses accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications will be automatically recognised under the Scheme and require no advance approval.
Activities/courses under the Scheme should include the following elements:
- Equip licensees with the latest professional, regulatory and ethical knowledge;
- Enhance licensees’ professional ability in providing quality property management services; and
- Support the industry in establishing an effective property management service quality assurance system.
The PMSA will classify and recognise the activities/courses organised by other professional bodies or institutions in the market based on the content and learning models of these activities/courses.
During the voluntary participation stage, the Scheme recommends that the attendance or participation hours of activities/courses that meet the criteria of the Scheme (CPD hours) for holders of Property Management Practitioner Licence (Tier 1) and (Tier 2) (formal or provisional licences) should be 12 and 6 hours respectively in each Scheme year. The PMSA will issue certificates of recognition to licensees who have completed the PMSA recommended CPD hours in continuing education activities in each Scheme year.
The PMSA will establish the Continuing Professional Development Scheme Electronic Recording System (the System) to facilitate licensees’ planning and management of their Scheme activities participation record. The System will allow licensees to search for information about PMSA recognised training activities and enrol for activities organised by the PMSA, either through the PMSA website or the PMSA mobile app now being developed. The System is expected to be completed and launched within 2022 and will be made available for licensees on a trial basis during the transitional period of the licensing regime.
While implementing the Scheme on a voluntary participation basis during the transitional period of the licensing regime, the PMSA will examine the Scheme’s implementation details from time to time, and will also actively solicit the views of the licensees and the property management industry. Such efforts will facilitate continuous enhancement to the Scheme for consideration of its implementation on a mandatory basis after the transitional period and ensuring that the Scheme would meet the needs of the industry.
The PMSA has already briefed its nine Recognised Professional Bodies 1 (RPB) in the previous week on the details of the Scheme as well as the procedures and arrangements of submitting applications for PMSA approval in respect of recognition of activities/courses that the RPB organise which meet the criteria of the Scheme.
The PMSA has already held two seminars on Continuing Professional Development for the industry in 2021, covering topics on “Codes of Conduct” and “Best Practice Guides” issued under the property management licensing regime, Building Management Ordinance – mandatory terms in deeds of mutual covenant, Urban Renewal Authority’s Building Drainage System Repair Subsidy Scheme, “Personal Data Privacy: Guidance on Property Management Practices”, preparation work for the implementation of “Municipal Solid Waste Charging” and experience sharing in respect of the “Municipal Solid Waste Charging” pilot scheme at Amoy Gardens.
Note 1: The PMSA Recognised Professional Bodies include: Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society, Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Property Managers, Hong Kong Institute of Real Estate Administrators, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, The Hong Kong Chapter of International Facility Management Association, The Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management, The Hong Kong Institute of Housing, and The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (in alphabetical order).
Ends/Thursday, 27 January 2022
Issued at HKT 13:30
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