Malaysia, August 2026 – Selangor is positioning rail transportation as a high-value future industry, with between 63% and 67% of Malaysia’s rail operations and headquarters located in the state. Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said continued investment in training and education will be important to developing local expertise for the sector.
The state has established the Selangor State Rail Council to better understand the rail industry ecosystem and respond to demand for skilled workers. Amirudin made the remarks during the rebranding of Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia’s Metro System Academy (MSA UTHM) as RailX. The academy is a partnership between UTHM and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) focused on training workers and students for modern rail, public transport and mobility systems.
Workforce development is becoming increasingly significant as Selangor supports an expanding public transport network involving LRT3, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and MRT projects. RailX is expected to contribute through professional certification, reskilling and upskilling, while the Selangor Technical Skill Development Centre provides a technical and vocational education pathway into diploma and degree-level programmes at UTHM.
The initiative also places greater emphasis on introducing rail careers to younger Malaysians. A RailX treasure hunt involving secondary schools from 10 districts will provide students with interactive experiences across selected MRT stations in areas including Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, Sepang, Klang, Sabak Bernam and Kuala Selangor. The programme is aligned with the broader objectives of the Malaysia Education Plan 2026–2035.
The collaboration reflects a broader shift towards developing rail capability alongside infrastructure investment. By linking state government, universities, technical institutions and industry operators such as MRT Corp and Rapid Rail, Selangor is seeking to create a more integrated talent pipeline capable of supporting the technical and operational requirements of Malaysia’s growing rail network.
Source: The Star
Selangor Strengthens Rail Workforce Development For Future Growth
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Rail is becoming an increasingly important high-value industry in Malaysia as major urban and intercity projects expand across the country. Selangor is responding by strengthening education, skills development and industry collaboration to build a larger pool of locally trained rail professionals.
