Empowering the Next Generation: Career Fair for Social Work Graduating Students

The Hong Kong Social Workers Association (HKSWA), in collaboration with Connecting Hearts and the Social Welfare Department of HKSAR, successfully held a Career Fair on 9 May 2026 at the Sha Tin Town Hall Exhibition Gallery. The event aimed to support social work students in shaping their professional aspirations by bringing together diverse career opportunities and fostering direct engagement with sector leaders.

The fair was officiated by Prof. Annie TAM Kam Lan, GBS, JP, President of Hong Kong Social Workers Association and Connecting Hearts Academy, and Mr Edward TO Wing Hang, JP, Director of Social Welfare, who delivered the opening address. Over 25 career consultation booths representing a wide range of social welfare sectors and social service organisations, offering recruitment information and professional advice to graduating students and early-career practitioners.

A series of thematic symposiums provided both academic and practice-based insights. Prof. Eric CHUI, Head of APSS, Co-Director of PReCIT, ADoRCESGA and Chair Professor of Social Work and Criminology, co-facilitated a session on organisational development and talent cultivation in the social welfare sector. The session included executive representatives from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Caritas Hong Kong, and the Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council, who shared perspectives on institutional support and career trajectories available for emerging professionals.

Another symposium, co-moderated by Dr Kong YAM, Senior Lecturer at APSS and Programme Leader of BA (Hons) in Social Work, focused on elderly and community care services. Representatives from Po Leung Kuk, Lok Sin Tong, Yan Chai Hospital, The Salvation Army, the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council, Yan Oi Tong, and ELCHK Social Service discussed evolving service models in response to Hong Kong’s changing demographic landscape.

On behalf of APSS staff and graduating students, we extend our sincere appreciation to the organisers for delivering a meaningful and well-coordinated event. The fair provided valuable guidance on career planning and interview preparation, while also enabling our students to gain deeper insights into sector priorities and their future professional roles within the community.