HIGHER DEMAND FOR JOBS IN RAILWAY INDUSTRY EXPECTED

Kuala Lumpur (25 April, 2019): The demand for job opportunities in the railway industry is expected to increase to 40 per cent or an estimated 28,000 workforces in the next 10 years.
This was revealed in the Second International Railway Forum 2019 that focused on career opportunities in the railway sector held at Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Italy Design Institute (UniKL MIDI) Theatrette Hall in Cheras today.
The forum was graced by the Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Transport, Dato’ M. Jana Santhiran. Also present were UniKL President and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mazliham Mohd Su’ud, the Dean of UniKL MIDI Ir Dr Azman Senin, UniKL top management, officials from MARA and industry players at the Asia Rail Centre.

The panel of speakers were Professor Tao Huang from South West Jiaotong University, En Hasry Harun, the Director of Technology Depository Agency (TDA), En Haniff Ghazali, the Honorary Secretary of Malaysian Rail Industry Consortium (MARIC) and Puan Natasha Zulkifli, Stakeholder Director, YTL Sdn Bhd and Founder of Women in Rail (WIR).

The forum was organized by students of UniKL MIDI in collaboration with Asia Rail Young Talent.

Speaking at the forum, Dr Azman said the prediction on future workforce in the industry is due to the rapid growth in railway projects based on reports by Malaysia Rail Supporting Industry Route Map 2030 (MySIR) and National Land Public Transport Master Plan.

“As an education provider, we are motivated with the growth in this industry and see this as a new challenge and responsibility to produce highly skilled and knowledgeable students for the industry. Therefore, UniKL is committed to be a Development Centre for Rail Specialist in order to fulfil the railway industry demand,” he said.

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As one of the initiatives, UniKL has launched its new program – Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Rail System (BETRS) and by July 2020 Diploma Engineering Technology in Rail System (DETRS) will be introduced.

The Bachelor and Diploma programs are strategically launched with the execution of key railway projects in Malaysia. These projects are MRT2, LRT3, Double Tracking Gemas – JB project and Klang Valley Rehabilitation project.

“The ‘uniqueness’ of UniKL is the fact that our programs are equipped with knowledge and technology transfer from countries around the world. This has enabled UniKL to provide our graduates with knowledge, skills and career opportunities on land, sea, sky and RAIL,” said Dr Azman.

“I believe that upon your arrival at the campus, UniKL Asia Rail Centre, you would have noticed the Ampang LRV train with the actual MRT track, UC60 supporting the train installed in UniKL. This was made possible as UniKL is one of the beneficiary under the Industrial Collaboration Programme (ICP), managed by Technology Depository Agency (TDA).”

“The facilities are imitating the actual depot from Ampang Line Depot. We cannot do this alone but with the support of UniKL management and external agencies, we have managed to build the industry scale depot within the campus,” he added.

This industry scale depot is being used for UniKL’s MIDI teaching and learning activities. UniKL greatly emphasizes hands-on element in all academic curriculum, with degree programs comprises 40% of hands-on element. With this, students are trained with actual system being used by rail industry.

Due to rapid growth and workforce demand in the railway industry, UniKL has taken a step further to form a dedicated center to develop skillful workforce to the rail industry. The center is UniKL Asia Rail Centre that was established on 23 March 2016.

To date, UniKL has collaborated with key industry players such as TDA, Prasarana, RAC, Rapid Rail, KTM Berhad, Express Rail Link (ERL), MARIC, HARTASUMA, KTK DOM, RSC and other railway vendors together with UniKL.

UniKL organized its first International Railway Forum in 2017 and issues that were discussed centres on creating awareness on career opportunities and entrepreneur development in order to support railway industry and sharing know how process in the railway system.

Recently, Malaysia Government has announced the resumption of East Coast Railway Link (ECRL) with its budgeted project value at RM44 billion. ECRL project requires significant numbers of workforce for Construction, Systems Works, Operation and Maintenance. UniKL welcomes interested companies to collaborate for ECRL project with UniKL for workforce development.

“UniKL International Railway Forum 2019 also marks another milestone stone for railway industry. The presence of Professor Tao Huang from South West Jiaotong University shows our commitment to explore the next level in railway research,” said Dr Azman.

Currently, under the ICP program, six of UniKL lecturers have had the opportunity to undergo postgraduate studies at Southwest Jiaotong University. Their research areas include Detection Signal Monitoring in Railway Track, Detection and Diagnosis Technique for Polyamide Composite Insulator for Third Rail System, and The Effect on Whole Body Vibration and Ride Comfort for Metro Rail.

“UniKL would also like to express our highest gratitude to the Ministry of Transport, MARA, railway companies and all guests for their support. We are honored to be associated with renowned rail players in Malaysia and ASEAN region,” he echoed.

UniKL Asia Rail has been the preferred choice of Malaysia railway companies for its human capital development.

“Today, we have a certificate giving ceremony for Professional Certificate for Rolling Stock and Graduate Employability Training Scheme with four Malaysian companies. With the above track records, UniKL Asia Rail welcomes further partnerships with railway companies to cater the workforce training specialized areas,” he added.