LIUZHOU (China), May 20 — The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL), conducted at Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College (LRVTC), is helping Malaysia develop a skilled workforce for the rail industry.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said students under the year-long operations and maintenance (O&M) programme are being exposed to China’s advanced rail expertise and technical capabilities.

“We also hope this programme can continue in the long term because once the ECRL project begins operations, there will always be a need for continuous training and the recruitment of new workers over time,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the inaugural PLKI-ECRL O&M graduation ceremony here on Tuesday.

Loke also encouraged Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in Malaysia to collaborate with LRVTC to help produce more skilled talent for the railway sector.

“Once they acquire the necessary skills and knowledge, they will be highly sought after not only by rail operators in Malaysia, but also internationally, as rail systems exist all over the world,” he said.

The ceremony, held at a hotel here on Tuesday, saw 66 trainees successfully complete the programme.

First PLKI-ECRL cohort completes training in China

They are part of 259 Malaysian trainees under the PLKI-ECRL programme currently undergoing various skills courses at LRVTC.

The trainees comprise 57 assistant station officers, 50 signalling technicians, 41 overhead line technicians, 19 Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) maintenance technicians, 41 locomotive and wagon maintenance technicians, and 51 assistant train driver trainees.

The PLKI-ECRL programme is jointly managed by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd and China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd.

PLKI-ECRL graduates ready for service

One of the graduates, Nur Shafika Diana Mohd Subky, 22, said the training posed unique challenges, particularly in handling technical equipment and rail signalling systems.

She said some assignments required physical strength as well as precision when operating switch machines and signalling control systems.

Despite the challenges, she described the programme as an excellent platform for young people to secure employment opportunities in the rail industry after graduation.

“This programme is good because once we complete our studies, we can immediately start working with them,” she said.

Another graduate, Adam Faris Sufian, 22, said that although they initially faced difficulties due to Mandarin being the medium of instruction, they remained committed to the training with support from instructors and Mandarin language classes.

“I am also proud because we are the first group sent here. I hope to contribute, even in a small way, to the country through the skills that I have acquired,” he said.

Railway Safety Warning Show Education lecturer Wu Yonggui said Malaysian students initially appeared shy upon arrival but gradually became more active and engaged during learning sessions.

“Between graduation and the start of their actual careers, they may require additional standardised training from the ECRL side.

“However, at this stage, graduates who have completed their studies are already qualified to serve as ECRL assistant station officers and are expected to demonstrate even better performance,” he said.

The PLKI-ECRL O&M programme is implemented through collaboration with Malaysian education and training institutions to source suitable trainees, particularly final-year diploma students and fresh graduates.

Training combines theoretical and technical classroom learning, hands-on practical sessions, workshop exposure and railway operational training.

LRVTC is a specialised vocational institution in Liuzhou, Guangxi, focusing on railway and transport-related education.

Liuzhou is about 255km from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi. — Bernama

LIUZHOU (China), May 20 — A total of 66 Malaysian trainees graduated from Liuzhou Railway Vocational Technical College (LRVTC) on Tuesday, as part of the Batch 1 East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) Industrial Skills Training Programme (PLKI-ECRL) for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Training.

The PLKI-ECRL programme is owned by Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction ECRL Sdn Bhd.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the graduates will be absorbed into the ECRL workforce, marking an important transition from trainees to professionals in Malaysia’s railway industry.

He said the programme is part of a greater national effort, in which there are currently 259 Malaysian students undergoing training in Liuzhou, all dedicated to preparing for the O&M phase of the ECRL project.

“This reflects the government’s strong commitment to developing local expertise, ensuring that Malaysians are not just participants, but leaders in managing and operating our national rail infrastructure,” he said at the graduation ceremony of Batch 1 PLKI-ECRL O&M training programme. 

Meanwhile, MRL chief executive officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the graduates will carry the responsibility of operating the ECRL safely, efficiently, reliably, and sustainably for the benefit of the rakyat and future generations.

“You (the graduates) are the pioneer workforce of the ECRL operation. You should be proud of the role you will play in shaping the future of Malaysia’s railway industry.

“The knowledge, technical skills, discipline, and valuable experience that you have gained here in China must be brought back to Malaysia and translated into excellence in your daily work,” he said. 

On the ECRL, Darwis said the project is progressing steadily, having achieved significant milestones across engineering, construction and system development, with overall progress reaching 93.66 per cent to date.

“The project is targeted to commence testing and commissioning activities in July 2026, marking another major milestone towards operational readiness,” he said. 

The ECRL project is slated to commence commercial operations in January 2027.

The PLKI-ECRL O&M programme is implemented through collaboration with various Malaysian education and training institutions to source suitable trainees, particularly diploma final year students and fresh graduates.

The training is conducted through a combination of theoretical and technical classroom learning, hands-on practical sessions, workshop exposure, and railway operational training. 

LRVTC is a specialised vocational institution in Liuzhou, Guangxi, that focuses mainly on railway and transport-related education.

Liuzhou is about 255km from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi. — Bernama