KONE, a global leader in the elevator and escalator industry, has officially launched its first KONE Academy in the Philippines, a state-of-the-art training facility located in Mandaluyong City. This marks KONE’s seventh academy in Southeast Asia, underscoring its commitment to developing a highly skilled local workforce in support of the country’s smart city transformation and infrastructure modernization efforts.
The facility currently trains 620 elevator and escalator (E&E) technicians annually, with plans to expand its capacity to 800 by 2027. KONE aims to certify a total of 4,400 professionals in the Philippines by 2030, strengthening the country’s infrastructure talent pool amid rapid urban growth.
“The KONE Academy is more than just a training center; it is a launchpad for the Philippines’ smart city aspirations,” said Petteri Kyrklund, Managing Director of KONE Philippines. “By equipping local talent with the skills to maintain and modernize elevator and escalator systems, we are shaping the future of urban living and enhancing people flow in cities.”
The opening comes as the Philippines prepares for significant urbanization, with an estimated 102 million people expected to live in cities by 2050. Currently, 70% of urban local government units are preparing smart city programs, while 61% are already piloting initiatives. The academy is positioned to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in intelligent infrastructure.
Edward Loy, Managing Director of KONE Southeast Asia, emphasized the academy’s alignment with KONE’s “Rise” strategy for 2025–2030, which focuses on digital service delivery, modernization, residential market growth, and sustainability. “The KONE Academy is at the heart of our strategy, ensuring our technicians are prepared to meet the evolving needs of urban infrastructure with innovative and sustainable solutions,” Loy said.
Beyond technical training, the academy will also serve as a Customer Experience Center, showcasing KONE’s latest innovations such as the UltraRope® hoisting technology and KONE 24/7 Connect remote monitoring service.
For media inquiries, contact Jane Chan, Communications Manager, Southeast Asia, at +65 9783 9804 or jane.chan@kone.com.
