Development of Professionals

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has long invested in programmes for the betterment of our society. However, lasting change cannot be achieved without those who dedicate themselves to serving others—whether in education, healthcare, or social welfare. That is why we place focus on nurturing the professionals and leaders who make these services possible.

 

This mission is not without its challenges. As Hong Kong’s population ages, demand for services is rising just as the workforce is shrinking. This imbalance has created a structural deficit in human capital, threatening the quality of essential services—particularly in sectors the Club supports.

 

As a steadfast partner to these sectors, we are committed to helping them meet today’s challenges and build for the future. This is supported by our four approaches: Advancing leadership development, promoting cross-sector collaboration, providing training to improve service and fill gaps, and building capacity in underserved communities. Each is designed to ensure that professionals and agencies supported by the Club are equipped with the skills and vision to help Hong Kong thrive.

An ageing population demands a multi-faceted response. In 2006, the Club pioneered CADENZA Fellows initiative, bringing together professionals of diverse expertise to advance gerontological knowledge and practice. Many Fellows are now prominent leaders in the field.

 

Professor Marco Pang, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, reflects, “The fellowship not only enhanced our research capacity but also contributed to the broader goal of encouraging gerontological research and supporting pilot projects with NGOs.”

 

The programme also enables scholars to go deeper in their field, says Professor Amy Chow, another CADENZA Fellow and currently the Principal Investigator of the Trust-initiated Jockey Club End-of-Life Community Care Project (JCECC).

 

“The fellowship has allowed me to delve into my passion for end-of-life and bereavement care. Witnessing families empowered with the option of compassionate, community-based care for their loved ones at the end of life brings me immense joy.”

 

Our commitment also extends to those delivering care on the ground. One example is The Hong Kong Jockey Club Home Manager Caring Leadership Training Scheme, which equips managers of residential care homes with the skills to promote a “person-centred” care culture.

Meeting society’s needs requires more than leaders—it demands strong, multi-skilled teams. We have been supporting pathways to provide team members with continuous skill development, enabling teams to grow their capabilities and expand service capacity across sectors.

 

To address the growing demand for quality oral care, we supported the establishment of a dedicated training centre for dental hygienists at Vocational Training Council, as well as a tuition sponsorship scheme. This initiative addresses service demands, while also upskills dental hygienists to perform more advanced oral health procedures. Ultimately, it will help improve the provision of preventive dental services in the community.

 

Palliative and end-of-life care also faces a growing demand for trained social and healthcare professionals. Under JCECC, we have trained up a pool of committed volunteers to support patients with terminal illness and their families during challenging times, and create a supportive, community-based network of care.

 

 

Promoting dynamicity through diversity

A vibrant society is one that embraces diversity and culture. We invest in these areas to help build a more inclusive, compassionate community.

 

In the cultural sector, we launched Jockey Club TUTTI Programme, a new arts initiative with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra that brings the joy of music to the wider community. The programme nurtures local musical talent by facilitating engagement with both international and local artists, and through the Jockey Club Masters Series concerts featuring world-renowned maestros. It also includes an educational component designed to give underprivileged children and their families—who might otherwise never attend a concert—the opportunity to experience orchestral music firsthand.

 

We are also a fervent supporter of diversity in Hong Kong’s workforce, which will also benefit the city and its economy. Jockey Club Collaborative Project for Inclusive Employment adopts a multi-stakeholder approach to advance inclusive employment for people with disabilities. Through targeted upskilling and a commitment to challenging stereotypes, the initiative helps unlock potential and build a more dynamic, equitable workforce.