At least 6,000 hopefuls tried their luck at getting the right job opportunity at the “Talent Power UP” Innovation and Technology (I&T) Career Expo on March 8, Friday. 

This has been the annual I&T career expo’s largest attendance to date, showing the surging demand of tech talent in the city. 

The event was organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) as part of its efforts to bring in young and promising talent to the city’s tech industry.

HKSTP was established in 2001 with a mission to position Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. 

More than 3,000 job opportunities from more than 300 park companies welcomed the thousands of tech talent who came from within and outside Hong Kong. 

At least 150 participating companies, which were from the industries of biotech, AI and robotics, and Greentech, were onsite to showcase their expertise. 

The HKSTP even arranged professional job matching services for enterprises interested to hire talents from local university students, graduates, tech enthusiasts and experienced practitioners.

According to the organisation, at least 3,000 1-on-1 on-the-spot interviews were conducted throughout the event.

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A venue for learning

Beyond just providing career opportunities, the “Talent Power Up” expo was also a venue for young aspirants to learn about how tech startups work at the new “StartUP Power Hub.”

In this zone, students and aspiring entrepreneurs were able to engage and learn directly from 30 successful startup founders present in the event. 

There were also activities and sharing sessions around the park where at least 800 participants were able to learn from tech giants.

Firms like SenseTime, Deloitte Digital, HKSTP X Arrow Hardware Lab provided the participants with immersive and cutting-edge tech showcases.

There was also a special and exclusive career and entrepreneurship sharing session for non-local talent to invite them to explore Hong Kong’s thriving I&T scene. 

Shining a spotlight on AI

The “Talent Power Up” expo also shined the spotlight on the common misconceptions about Artificial Intelligence through various engagement activities. 

The event was also graced by AI platform providers like AWS, LinkedIn, and Google to offer insights and opportunities for job-seekers interested in exploring AI. 

LinkedIn, in particular, allowed job seekers to leverage its database and algorithm to boost their chances of being seen by Gen AI and the recruiters behind it. 

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“Rather than an option, it's an obligation for us to be aware of not just our capabilities in the current technology trends, but also our constant curiosity in adapting to changes, and that mentality is key to thrive in this fast-and-faster growing digital age," said Albert Wong, the CEO of HKSTP. 

“We hope to upskill Hong Kong talent with Gen AI trends and knowledge in this year's Expo. The overwhelming response from companies and talent confirms the rise of the city's world-class I&T ecosystem, and significantly bolsters the tech talent pipeline which is critical to a new era of growth for Hong Kong,” he added.

The HKSTP has been successful in creating a thriving I&T ecosystem supporting over 10 unicorns with more than 13,000 research professionals and around 1,700 technology firms around the world. 

Its growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key park locations, including Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. 

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From AI to biotech, Hong Kong's tech scene is buzzing with diversity. The “Talent Power Up” expo showcased this breadth, attracting thousands seeking opportunities across various tech sectors. 

The expo also revealed a workforce driven by more than just jobs. Tech professionals crave learning opportunities, exposure to cutting-edge innovation, and a sense of belonging in a dynamic tech community. Employers who understand this will stand out in the competitive talent landscape.