The newly opened ATAL Training Centre (ATC) in Hong Kong is using technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and virtual reality in its training programmes to continually upskill its engineering talent.
ATC is owned and operated by the ATAL Group, a leading electrical and mechanical (E&M) engineering service provider in the territory. Established in 1977, the group has operations in Macau, Mainland China, the UK and the US.
Serving a wide spectrum of customers from public and private sectors, the group provides multi-disciplinary and comprehensive E&M engineering and technology services in four major segments, including Building Services, Environmental Engineering, Information, Communications and Building Technologies ("ICBT") and Lifts & Escalators.
"Professional talent have always been the most important assets of the group and the industry. Therefore, we have been committed to providing many training and internship opportunities to our colleagues,” said Dr. Otto Poon Lok-To, chairman of ATAL Engineering Group.
The training centre, which has taken some time to bring to fruition, sets an important milestone in the group’s talent cultivation, said Poon.
“In the future, we will continue to uphold the strategies of New Technology, New Market and New Business Model, and strive to develop and introduce more innovative technologies, not only for business applications, but also for talent training, in order to promote the long-term development of the Group and the industry,” he added.
Employing innovative tech in training
Spanning an area that spans over 3,500sqft, the newly opened ATC provides a dedicated training space of the group’s staff.
One of its major breakthroughs is the application of VR technology in its training programmes – a first in Hong Kong’s E&M industry. Through its VR platform, more training programmes can be provided in a flexible manner, making it easier for its staff to master skills and complete tasks.
ATC also provides an experience zone that demonstrates the group's innovative technologies – applied or self-developed for its four core businesses segments, including IoT, Building Information Modelling (BIM), Multi-Trade integrated Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MiMEP) 3D printing model, smart safety helmet, AI-driven platform, advanced buffer and over-speed governor for lifts. The experience zone allows employees to learn more about the group's services and competitive advantages through interactive activities.
The design of the ATC has taken into account the needs of more than 2,500 staff. It is equipped with a library and multi-purpose function rooms to strengthen the bonding among colleagues.
Commitment to upskilling
Last year despite the pandemic, the ATAL Group provided training amounting to over 30,000 hours by conducting webinars for its engineering talent. The ATC will complement the group’s online resources and its ATALent training platform launched last year, which allows staff to review latest course materials anytime, anywhere, both online and offline.
At present, the group has developed 12 internal training programmes, covering ATAL familiarisation; management sharing; professional technologies; quality, safety and environmental protection; BIM; project management; contract management; soft skills; information technology; enterprise resource planning (ERP); other occupational skills, among others. The group also customises various programmes according to the career development of different staff.
With the establishment of ATC, the group expects to move closer towards the goal of providing 15 hours of training per person per year, aimed at the continuing development of its engineering staff.
