Keeping up with the future – Paul Huang’s career-long learning journey People behind the story
Successful projects are only as good as the people behind them. When you work in our industry, you'll see things most people never will. Here we talk to Paul Huang about his travels and quest for knowledge.
While the title of Installation Master Trainer might sound like the role of a teacher, in reality it's just as much about being a student as well.
Someone who knows this dual role better than most is Paul Huang, one of our Installation Master Trainers based in Shanghai. For nearly a decade, he has been criss-crossing between project sites and manufacturing facilities – in China, and abroad – to educate local staff about new systems and to learn about them himself.
“It’s a non-stop learning curve,” explains Paul. “We’re constantly immersed in new innovations and solutions within the vertical transportation systems. It’s fascinating!”
Open and ready to learn
When asked about the advantages of working for an international organisation, where knowledge transfer is at the core of our corporate culture, he explains that the rewards are more than purely professional.
"Traveling to different parts of the world has given me a more international mindset and taught me about other cultures and values," he says, "It's very interesting, and something I appreciate very much."
Before joining Schindler in 2016, Paul was working for a marine elevator company that specialized in installing and maintaining vertical transportation systems in a variety of maritime vessels, including container ships, oil tankers, and cargo ships.
"I gained a lot of valuable experience there that I could bring to Schindler. Marine and high-rise elevators are in principle the same, although marine elevators are smaller and slower," he explains.
Still, Paul faced several challenges after he jumped ship to join the Schindler crew.
Taking responsibility
When our innovative installation system Schindler SLIM – the Scaffold-less Installation Method – was first launched, Paul was chosen to help to roll it out in different regions. His first business trip was to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, where he supported the nation's first Schindler SLIM installation on a project that was also the first in the UAE to use Schindler 7000 elevators.
"I was quite nervous in the beginning. When you do training for others, you have to be the most knowledgeable person in the room,” he says. “It’s very hands-on. It's a great responsibility, but I was lucky to have many experienced colleagues who encouraged and motivated me."
Paul says that confidence in your coworkers is fundamental for a good working culture. He refers to the so-called X and Y motivation and management theory: Theory X is based on the assumptions that employees don't really want to work and need constant supervision. Theory Y is based on the assumptions that employees want to work, want to take responsibility and do not need much supervision.
"It's a good environment here, a great place for Theory Y. We trust each other, and don't let anyone down," he says.
Innovating for the future
Today, the introduction of new, cutting-edge technologies such as robotics and artificial intelligence is undoubtedly disrupting the traditional approaches and skillsets required in the elevator industry. Master trainers like Paul are now tasked with not only imparting expertise on established systems and installation methods, but also preparing their teams to work with increasingly automated and intelligent vertical transportation solutions. For Paul, the future of the elevator industry is clear.
"Robots are the future, absolutely," he says.
Paul was closely involved in the development of Three ITC, a large-scale complex in downtown Shanghai, where Schindler's Robotic Installation System for Elevators – Schindler R.I.S.E – was used for the first time in China. The robot drills and sets the anchor bolts required for landing doors, divider beams, and wall brackets in the shaft – an innovation that enables our clients to complete their projects faster and more efficiently.
To prepare for this new system, Paul spent 20 days at Schindler's R&D centre in Switzerland, where he worked with a simulation of the hoistway. Back in Shanghai, Paul trained his team on the system and ensured three key engineers became certified Schindler R.I.S.E operators. During the Three ITC project, Paul also spent time in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, learning about our pioneering Schindler CLIMB Lift system – which was also used for the first time in China on the project.
For those worried that the development of robots and automation will come at the cost of human jobs, Paul offers some reassurance.
"Automation opens up new work opportunities, and roles like robot operator or programmer. It means we can invest our time in tasks that bring more value. Besides, many young people prefer not to work in such noisy and dusty environments," he says.
Paul uses a robotic vacuum cleaner as an example.
"They do the job you don’t like. With a robot vacuuming my floors for me, I can use my time for something better," he says.
"Using and learning about new technology will develop career opportunities for me and my colleagues, that’s for sure," Paul concludes.
Spoken like a true master trainer, who’s always ready to learn.