Progressive Wage Model drives higher pay and younger entrants in Singapore’s lift and escalator industry

The median age of Singapore’s lift and escalator (L&E) Progressive Wage Model (PWM) workforce has fallen to 40 since 2023, signalling growing interest among younger technicians in the sector. Overall, the L&E workforce expanded by 7 per cent over the same period, reflecting stronger recruitment and skills development efforts across the industry. 

The industry currently employs approximately 1,300 Singaporean and permanent resident workers.

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat announced the latest workforce figures on 26 November 2025 at the inaugural Lift and Escalator Excellence Awards held at the Orchard Hotel.

Median wages across all job levels have also risen by an average of 14 per cent in 2024 and 10 per cent in 2025, beyond the baseline wage floor.

The PWM framework mandates minimum basic wages across all job levels, schedules wage increases from 2023 to 2028 and requires an annual PWM bonus of at least one month’s basic wage.

“The improved wages and emphasis on continuous upskilling and professional development have repositioned the sector as an attractive career choice for Singaporeans.

“All lift and escalator maintenance firms must adopt the PWM as a registration requirement with BCA [Building and Construction Authority], ensuring their commitment to fair wages that commensurate with competencies at each level,” said Mr Chee.

This comprehensive approach has transformed L&E from being perceived as “4D” work—dirty, dangerous, difficult and demanding—into a sector offering genuine career prospects, according to NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Tripartite Cluster for Lifts and Escalators Chair Melvin Yong.

“As lift and escalator systems become more technologically advanced, we need equally skilled specialists with good technical knowledge to maintain them effectively and safely,” said Mr Yong.

“This is why the Progressive Wage Model, together with strong training pathways and technology adoption, is so important.

“When workers upgrade their skills through PWM, they take on higher responsibilities, enjoy better wages and deliver safer, more reliable service for all users,” he added.

Excellence through PWM’s career pathways

The awards ceremony saw 15 workers take centre stage, recognised across supervisor and specialist categories that reflect PWM’s structured career progression framework.

Teo Soon Peng, 36, a senior L&E specialist at Mitsubishi, demonstrated advanced diagnostic skills when he stabilised the operations of 20 lifts at Suntec City by tracing disruptions to a building power fault, and improved safety by implementing retractable lifelines and pit-working platforms.

PWM’s emphasis on continuous learning has enabled workers like Mr Teo to pursue further qualifications while working.

He is currently pursuing a Diploma in Vertical Transportation—a pathway supported by PWM’s competency-based progression system developed with BCA and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).

Asked about his motivation for pursuing further studies while working full-time, Mr Teo is clear about the need to stay ahead.

“The world keeps on changing now, with digitalisation and AI, and all that. I need to constantly upgrade my skills. I cannot be left behind. I need to keep moving forward,” he said.

Another recipient was Muhammad Zulkarnaen Hashim, 40, a supervisor at Hitachi Elevator Asia who leads a team of 16 maintenance technicians.

When his team faced an intermittent fault involving a magnetic brake coil, Mr Zulkarnaen personally guided them through troubleshooting, using the opportunity to coach and mentor.

“It’s my responsibility to pass on my knowledge to them. So that in the future, they are able to execute the same job without the need for me to be there. During that point in time, I saw it as an chance to teach them.

“It will help them and myself along the way,” Mr Zulkarnaen said.

Technology meets expertise

The L&E industry is embracing technology to enhance system reliability.

Over 1,500 Remote Monitoring and Diagnostics (RM&D) lifts are now operational across Singapore, enabling predictive maintenance and quarterly servicing instead of monthly.

Ganesh Prasad Vasudevan, 48, a troubleshooter at KONE, exemplifies how workers are leveraging these advances.

“The AI and monitoring system for the lifts, it’s very useful and easy. Before we arrive at the site, we can already monitor by our handphone and diagnose the problem.

“For example, when a sensor or something gets spoiled, we can already stand-by the sensor or other parts and bring them with us and replace the faulty one. Breakdowns can be minimised,” said Mr Ganesh.

His technical interventions have boosted elevator safety and reliability by 20 per cent, cut breakdowns by 20 per cent and driven a 30 per cent rise in first-time fixes.

He uses cloud-based systems and AI-enabled diagnostics to enhance troubleshooting accuracy and safety—demonstrating how PWM workers are adapting to increasingly sophisticated systems.

NTUC’s role in championing PWM

As a key advocate for PWM implementation in the industry since its inception in 2018, NTUC has been instrumental in ensuring L&E workers receive fair wages and structured career progression opportunities through the tripartite framework.

In his speech, NTUC’s Mr Yong said: “Today’s award recipients exemplify the spirit of excellence, learning and dedication that PWM seeks to recognise and reward. NTUC, together with our tripartite partners, will continue supporting every L&E worker to build meaningful careers in this growing and essential sector.”

He added: “For years, the labour of L&E technicians went unseen despite the immense responsibility they carry. But they are the reason our elderly can reach their medical appointments, why parents can bring prams to their flats and how businesses stay connected across floors.”

The awards ceremony, organised by NTUC, BCA, Singapore Lift and Escalator Contractors and Manufacturers Association (SLECMA), and NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), recognised 15 individuals across two categories: the PWM L&E Supervisor Excellence Award and the PWM L&E Specialist Excellence Award.

Recipients were evaluated on safety, leadership, technical mastery, technology adoption and continuous learning.