Otis and China Development Research Foundation Partner to Support China’s Urban Renewal

Judy Marks, Otis Chair, CEO and President (second from left); Sally Loh, Otis Greater China President (first from left); Zhang Liang, Party Secretary, Secretary General of CDRF (second from right); and Qiao Zhenyang, Deputy Secretary General of CDRF, at the signing of Otis and CDRF Vocational Training Collaboration

Otis (NYSE: OTIS), the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, service and modernization company, and the China Development Research Foundation (CDRF), a leading think tank and philanthropic organization, are collaborating to educate and develop the next generation of elevator service professionals in China.

The partnership will integrate the decade-long Otis Technical Academy initiative into CDRF’s For the Future vocational education program to support the development and pipeline expansion of skilled elevator technicians across China. Beginning in 2026, the program will launch in South China, with plans to expand to other areas in the country and is expected to benefit more than 800 students annually.

As China’s urban infrastructure continues to mature, along with its population, elevator maintenance and modernization have become critical priorities for enhancing public safety and quality of life. This shift is driving increased demand for a highly skilled workforce and underscoring the need for advanced technical training.

Building on its successful partnerships with nine technical colleges across China through its Otis Technical Academy program, Otis will now integrate its rigorous technical curriculum into the CDRF For the Future program. The collaboration leverages a proven training model that combines classroom theory, Otis-specific technical training and real-world internships to create a national benchmark for elevator service training.

More than 4,500 elevator specialists have graduated from the Otis Technical Academy since its launch in 2016 – with approximately 700 students participating in the program in 2025.

The continued safety and reliability of China’s vertical transportation network depend on modern technology and highly skilled professionals who maintain and modernize equipment, said Judy Marks, Chair, CEO and President, Otis. Our new collaboration with the China Development Research Foundation represents the next step in a journey we began a decade ago with our Otis Technical Academy. By working with technical colleges and the Foundation, we are helping to build and grow the skilled talent pool needed to support a safe, modernized China.

CDRF will oversee program operations, ensuring that training meets the rigorous requirements established by Otis. Otis will provide crucial program support, including funding, equipment, training materials and specialized expertise, helping to ensure students gain hands on experience with real-world technology, including the latest digital and connected systems.

Upon graduation, eligible students will have the opportunity to apply for field service positions within Otis, creating a direct pathway from classroom to a fulfilling career. To date, thousands of Otis Technical Academy graduates have joined to work in Otis China.

We are pleased to partner with Otis to enhance vocational training in this critical sector, said Zhang Liang, Secretary General of CDRF. Our shared goal is to positively impact the lives of students while developing their technical capabilities and work-ready skills to meet the changing needs of our economy.

About Otis

Otis is the world’s leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, service and modernization company. We move 2.5 billion people a day and maintain approximately 2.5 million customer units worldwide, the industry’s largest Service portfolio. Headquartered in Connecticut, USA, Otis is 72,000 people strong, including 45,000 field professionals, all committed to manufacturing, installing and maintaining products to meet the diverse needs of our customers and passengers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. For more information, visit www.otis.com.