March 24, 2026, Beijing — Otis (NYSE: OTIS), a world-renowned provider of elevators and escalators for manufacturing, installation, service and modernization upgrades, and the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), a think tank focused on strategic public welfare initiatives, announced the establishment of a partnership to jointly cultivate professional elevator service technicians.

 

Through this collaboration, Otis will integrate its "Otis Technical Academy (OTA)" — a program that has been implemented in China for approximately a decade — into the "Win the Future: Vocational Education Enhancement Program" of the China Development Research Foundation, helping to consolidate the cultivation and reserve of mature professional technical talents for the elevator industry across China. The cooperative program will first launch in South China this year, and gradually expand to other regions nationwide, with an expected annual training capacity of over 800 technical trainees.

 

As China's urban infrastructure becomes increasingly complete and its population structure ages, elevator maintenance, modernization and renovation have become key factors that significantly impact public safety and quality of life. The market demand for professional elevator technicians is growing day by day, making the development of advanced technical training an urgent priority.

 

The "Otis Technical Academy" program has previously carried out in-depth cooperation with nine vocational and technical colleges across China, delivering remarkable results. Building on this foundation, Otis will integrate comprehensive elevator technical courses into the CDRF's "Win the Future: Vocational Education Enhancement Program". Through an effective training model that combines classroom theory, exclusive Otis technical training and internships, the partnership aims to set a national benchmark for elevator maintenance service training.

 

Since the launch of the "Otis Technical Academy" in 2016, the program has cultivated more than 4,500 professional elevator technical talents. In 2025, around 700 students participated in the program.

 

Judy Marks, Chairwoman, CEO and President of Otis Worldwide, stated: "Safe and reliable vertical transportation relies not only on advanced technology, but also on the support of professional technicians for maintenance, modernization and renovation. Otis' partnership with the China Development Research Foundation marks a new milestone in the journey of the Otis Technical Academy. The collaboration with vocational and technical colleges and the foundation will help expand the pool of professional elevator technicians, contributing to safety, urban renewal and the development of digital cities."

 

The China Development Research Foundation will oversee the program's operations to ensure the training meets the needs of students and educational institutions. Otis will provide support including funding, equipment, training materials, professional technologies and experts, helping students master the required knowledge and practical skills, including those for the latest digitally connected systems.

 

Upon graduation, students will have the opportunity to apply for field service positions at Otis, creating a direct pathway from the classroom to the workplace. To date, thousands of graduates from the Otis Technical Academy have joined Otis.

 

Zhang Liang, Secretary-General of the China Development Research Foundation, said: "We are delighted to partner with Otis to jointly enhance vocational training standards in key sectors. Our shared goal is to strengthen students' technical competencies and employability, improve their living and learning environments, and cultivate healthy, positive new-type skilled technical talents."

 

About Otis

Otis moves the world forward, committed to keeping people connected and enabling unlimited development in a taller, faster and smarter world. As a globally leading provider of elevators and escalators for manufacturing, installation, service and modernization upgrades, Otis transports 2 billion passengers daily and maintains approximately 2.5 million elevators and escalators — one of the largest fleets in the industry. Otis elevators can be found in many of the world's iconic landmarks, transportation hubs, commercial buildings and residential properties. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis has approximately 72,000 employees globally, including 45,000 frontline staff dedicated to manufacturing, installation and maintenance, to meet the needs of customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and regions.

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