With 63% to 67% of rail operations and headquarters based in Selangor, the state is recognising rail transportation as a high-value future industry with extensive career prospects.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the state will continue to invest in the field, especially where training and education are concerned.
"The move is also to produce local experts who can drive the industry forward," he said at an event at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) in Sungai Buloh on Wednesday (Aug 19).
To underscore its commitment, he said the state has established the Selangor State Rail Council to gain a better understanding of the industry’s ecosystem and address its ongoing need for skilled workers.
Amirudin was present as the guest of honour to officiate the rebranding of Metro System Academy (MSA UTHM) to RailX.
He launched the academy's treasure hunt, which will see the participation of secondary schools from 10 different districts having interactive experiences across selected MRT stations spanning Gombak, Petaling, Hulu Langat, Sepang, Klang, Sabak Bernam, and Kuala Selangor.
MSA UTHM is a partnership between UTHM and Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp), training workers and students for modern rail, public transport, and mobility systems.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said programmes like the treasure hunt organised by UTHM align with the broader goals of the Malaysia Education Plan 2026–2035 and serve as a strategic continuation to introduce the train industry to the younger generation, specifically high school students.
“Selangor is committed to developing a skilled local workforce for its rapidly expanding public transport ecosystem (LRT3, ECRL, MRT), with MSA UTHM serving as a key platform for professional certification, reskilling, and upskilling in the rail sector,” he said.
The Mentri Besar said the collaboration highlights a concrete triple helix synergy between the government, universities, and industry partners such as MRT Corp and Rapid Rail to ensure the state's rail infrastructure development is supported by highly skilled local talent.
“At the state level, there is the Selangor Technical Skill Development Centre (STDC), which acts as a strategic feeder for high-value technical and vocational education and training (TVET) universities.
Through an articulation pathway, STDC graduates can pursue diploma and bachelor's degree programmes, creating a complete technical education ecosystem running from basic/intermediate training up to higher technical studies at UTHM,” he added.
