What better way to guarantee new technicians have the right knowledge and experience than by providing the training and certification yourself?
That’s exactly what our team in Hong Kong has done with the Schindler Academy, a four-year apprenticeship program which was recently accredited by the local government to issue a "Certificate in Electrical Engineering" to students upon completion.
"It shows a real commitment to our staff and to developing our talent pool," says Gary Au, our Human Resources Director in Hong Kong. "It’s really beneficial for everyone involved."
By creating their own certification program, our team in Hong Kong has simplified the path to becoming a registered electrical engineering technician. Previously, students wishing to attain a Certificate in Electrical Engineering had to go through one of the city’s vocational training centers, which meant attending night school.
At the Schindler Academy, the students can complete all required studies and hands-on learning at our Chai Wan Training Center, or while on the job.
This also approach makes it easier for newcomers from other industries to transition into the elevator and escalator industry, with the program offering training tailored to escalator and elevator systems.
For our team in Hong Kong, too, the program has been a boon: It provides access to a more diverse pool of candidates and helps develop a robust in-house talent pool of registered technicians – particularly valuable in an industry facing widespread talent shortages.
The academy's curriculum has been methodically designed to meet industry and regulatory standards, setting participants up for their success in their future career. During the first two years, trainees rotate through six-month segments covering new installations, existing systems, modernizations, and service maintenance. The subsequent two years focus on practical, in-depth learning on the job, achieving Schindler's internal certification.
In September 2023, the program admitted its first cohort of 19 assistant technicians, with a second group of 20 joining in the following year.
"The first year has been a great experience," said Zhong Junjie, who joined the first intake. "We've learned so much and gained extensive hands-on experience."
With this program, Schindler became the first elevator and escalator company in Hong Kong authorized to issue electrical engineering certificates – the culmination of a meticulous two-year review process with local government officials.
"Bringing the program to life was a great team effort," says Gary, who worked alongside Daniel Chan, our Group Field Quality Excellence (FQE) Director and later Franco Ho, our FQE Director in Hong Kong to make this a reality.
So far, the program has generated a lot of interest both locally and abroad. While currently confined to Hong Kong due to local regulations, the academy's success suggests potential for expansion to other markets.
For Gary, the program is another tangible demonstration of our company’s commitment to operational excellence and to our workforce.
"It’s a real investment in our ‘front line is the bottom line’ ideal."