HK rearing railway talent

(April 23, 2017)

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Voiceover:
Since January, 34-year-old Simon Chan has been studying in the Railway Engineering Advanced Diploma programme at the MTR Academy part-time.

He goes to school two days a week, learning railway engineering theories and practical skills.

Student Simon Chan:
The MTR is expanding rapidly in Hong Kong. The new South Island Line uses a self-driving system. It is very interesting to me. A number of large railway projects such as the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link have also been launched in Hong Kong in recent years. The rail system in Hong Kong is gigantic. I want to learn more about it.  

Voiceover:
Mr Chan works as an information technology assistant manager in a bank.

He joined the IT industry after graduating university, and has worked as an IT professional for nearly a decade.

He said he joined the MTR programme so he can change professions in the future.

Student Simon Chan:
How many decades are there in a lifetime? I often think about this question. I want to change professions before it is too late.

IT is used not only in the banking sector, but also the railway industry. The design, maintenance and development of railway communication, payment and passenger volume calculation systems are all possible future careers I can consider.

Voiceover:
The establishment of the MTR Academy was an initiative announced in the 2016 Policy Address to train railway professionals and raise the quality of local and overseas railway services.

In November, the academy officially opened and launched the Railway Engineering Advanced Diploma as its first two-year part-time programme.

It offers both theoretical and practical training.

The practical training includes job attachments, site visits, and face-to-face meetings with MTR staff.

Thirty-two students have enrolled in the programme in the first cohort. Some of them, like Neo Lam, are MTR staff.

With an associate degree in physical education, Mr Lam joined the MTR in 2013.

He now works as a depot operation controller.

He said completing the academy’s specialised programme will boost his career prospects at the MTR.

Student Neo Lam:
At the beginning of our lessons, we studied basic physics to refresh our electrical knowledge learnt at secondary school. Many things in the railway system, including railway track and compartment control, are related to electric circuits.

We also learnt about the entire power supply system and the signal system to gain deeper knowledge in rail management and operation.

Voiceover:
The academy boasts state-of-the-art training facilities including station communication and fare collection system mock-ups for students to gain hands-on experience.

While the advanced diploma programmes are aimed at professionals or those who want to join the railway industry, the academy also offers short-term courses for the general public.

Railway 101 is one of the courses teaching basic railway knowledge.

The short courses are proving popular, attracting 200 participants so far.

MTR Academy President Morris Cheung said the facility is supported by the Government, academia and professional bodies, which is conducive to the industry’s long-term development in Hong Kong.

MTR Academy President Morris Cheung:
The MTR Academy is set up to train more railway talents in Hong Kong and the industry worldwide. As we know, there are a lot of metro projects upcoming in Hong Kong in the coming decades, equally in Mainland China and the rest of the world. There are a number of projects coming on. There is a very huge demand for railway experts and talents.

Voiceover:
The Railway Engineering Advanced Diploma programme has been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications.

The next round of applications will open in June.

The rapid expansion of Hong Kong’s railway network and the planning of mega projects have boosted demand for railway industry professionals.

To rear railway talent, Chief Executive CY Leung announced the plan to open the MTR Academy in his 2016 Policy Address.

The facility is the Mass Transit Railway's global training hub for railway management and operation.

Thirty-four-year-old Simon Chan works as an information technology assistant manager in a bank.

He joined the IT industry after graduating university and has worked as an IT professional for nearly a decade.

With a keen interest in the railway industry, Mr Chan enrolled in the MTR Academy's Advanced Diploma in Railway Engineering programme so he can change professions.

New prospects
After work, Mr Chan attends class twice a week in the academy’s Hung Hom training centre.

Although he finds it difficult to balance work and study, he enjoys the challenge.

"I like new things, especially in the engineering aspect. IT is used not only in the banking sector, but also the railway industry. The design, maintenance and development of railway communication, payment and passenger volume calculation systems are all possible future careers I can consider."

After completing his studies, he hopes to find a job that pairs his IT expertise with the railway industry.

Train training
The academy officially opened in November and launched the Railway Engineering Advanced Diploma as its first two-year part-time programme.

The course started in January and has been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications.

It offers theoretical and practical training, with students gaining experience through job attachments, site visits and meetings with MTR staff.

Students are required to complete nine common core subjects in the first year.

Based on assessment results, students with a higher score will have priority to enter their chosen stream in the second year.

There are four stream subjects: Power Distribution, Signal & Communications, Permanent Way and Rolling Stock.

Expanding expertise
Thirty-two students are in the programme’s first cohort. Some of them, like Neo Lam, are MTR staff.

He joined the MTR in 2013. He has been a train captain and now works as a depot operation controller.

He said completing the academy’s specialised programme will boost his career prospects.

"After changing posts I found that my knowledge is not adequate as I have not studied mechanical engineering. I hope to expand my engineering knowledge through this course.

"Many things in the railway system, including railway track and compartment control, are related to electric circuits. We also learnt about the entire power supply system and the signal system to gain deeper knowledge in rail management and operation."

The academy boasts state-of-the-art training facilities, including simulators for a train cab, a control panel station, automatic fare collection and management operations training.

Industry potential
MTR Academy President Morris Cheung said graduates have the opportunity to be employed as a junior engineer or technician.

"The graduates should have great opportunity to find a job in the MTR or in railway-related companies."

The next round of applications for the Railway Engineering Advanced Diploma programme will open in June.

The academy also offers short courses for the public. Railway 101 enables participants to try simulated driving.

"The Railway 101 Course is mainly an experience for attendees. It enables applicants to fully understand the basic knowledge of railway operations in a two-hour course."

The courses are proving popular, attracting 200 people so far.

Virtual reality: The MTR Academy uses simulators to teach students to operate MTR trains.

Career carriage: Neo Lam and Simon Chan are enrolled in the Advanced Diploma in Railway Engineering programme.

Training talent: MTR Academy President Morris Cheung says programme graduates should have great opportunity to find a job in the MTR or in railway-related companies.

Off the rails: The rapid expansion of Hong Kong’s rail network is boosting demand for railway professionals.