Otis To Launch Training Program in China

Otis will partner with the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF) to integrate its Otis Technical Academy (OTA) into the foundation's vocational education initiative “For the Future,” the Connecticut-based firm said at the 2026 China Development Forum, Yicai Global reports. The OTA has trained more than 4,500 elevator professionals since its launch in 2016. The program will first launch in southern China, aiming to train more than 800 elevator technicians a year, with plans to expand nationwide. CDRF will oversee operations and academic credentials, while Otis will provide funds, equipment, training materials and specialized instructors. Graduates will have the opportunity to directly apply for field service positions within the company. Another company with similar plans is Tesla, which requires a workforce capable of evolving alongside increasingly complex production systems. On March 21, 62 graduates were the first group to complete the work-study program jointly launched by Tesla Shanghai and Shanghai University of Electric Power in 2021.