The National Transport Commission (NTC) and the ARA proudly hosted the 2nd Future Rail Skills Forum 2025, bringing together over 60 industry leaders, innovators, and workforce development professionals to explore the future of rail skills in Australia and beyond.

The forum featured a powerful lineup of international and local speakers who shared their experiences and strategies for building a future-ready rail workforce.

Matthias Rohrmann and Angela Di Febraro, key figures behind the European Rail Skills Alliance (STAFFER), offered deep insights into the challenges of harmonising ETCS train control systems and aligning skills across borders – lessons that resonate strongly with Australia’s National Rail Action Plan.

Neil Robinson, CEO of the UK’s National Rail Skills Academy, delivered an inspiring presentation on how the UK is preparing its workforce for rail reform, highlighting practical approaches Australia can learn from.

On the local front, Angela Brown (Victoria) and Graeme Atkinson & Andrew Draper (Queensland Rail) shared compelling case studies. Their work in attracting new talent and leveraging technologies like large language models and competency management systems is already making a measurable impact.

The forum underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and global learning in shaping a resilient and skilled rail workforce for the future.