A pair of vocational colleges in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Guangdong, China have joined forces to offer an Elevator Engineering Technology program to help fill the talent gap in Malaysia’s vertical transportation industry.
VTAR Institute and Guangdong Engineering Polytechnic are rolling out the new program, which will feature 216 training hours, including theoretical courses conducted mainly online and practical sessions held on-site at the campus in southern China.
The program will offer three core modules for students enrolled in the Electrical Installation and Maintenance, namely Sensors Technology, PLC Technology and Applications, and Elevator Maintenance and Repair Technology.
Guangdong Engineering Polytechnic will provide a free, one-month study program in China for select VTAR students. The two institutes signed a memorandum of agreement at the VTAR campus to launch the collaboration.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to integrate elevator engineering technology into the Electrical Installation and Maintenance curriculum, providing students with additional skills and broader career opportunities,” said VTAR chief executive officer Tan Cheng Liang in a statement cited by The Star Online.
“This not only helps fill the domestic skills gap but also paves the way for students to pursue high-skilled, high-paying careers,” she added.
Malaysia’s urbanization and construction of high-rise buildings has ramped up in recent years, driving significant growth in demand for elevators and escalators as well as installation, maintenance and inspection services. The industry is challenged by a dearth of skilled professionals, creating a need for more vocational training.
The Malaysian elevators and escalators market was estimated to total 2,691 units in 2024 and is projected to reach 3,549 units by 2020, expanding at a CAGR of 4.72%, according to a study by ResearchAndMarkets.com.
The growth of the vertical transportation market is linked to government investment in infrastructure projects, private real estate development, and the resurgence of Malaysia’s tourism industry, including the growing popularity of medical tourism.