The ARA Workforce Development team has progressed several major initiatives over the past quarter to build the rail workforce and address the skills gap. 

We have launched two new courses, Introduction to Rail Operations and Introduction to Rollingstock, and both have received outstanding feedback from learners. These two courses are to be part of the ARA Professional Certificate in Rail, an industry accredited certificate that gives assurance that those holding the certificate have attained a body of knowledge that is a foundation for further learning in many rail career areas.   

The ARA’s collaboration with universities continues with Deakin University offering two Rail Track microcredentials with an elective formally being taught in the Civil undergraduate degree commencing in November this year. Already 30 undergraduates have elected to take this rail engineering. Edith Cowan University have begun building three electives across Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Degree programs. UTAS continue to offer the Diploma in Rail Track Engineering and Monash University has commenced delivering a Rail Engineering elective in July 2024 in their Civil Engineering undergraduates.  

The ARA’s Workforce Development team is also working our heavy haul Pilbara members to build a first of its kind Safely Access the Rail Corridor (SARC) course which will be recognised by multiple RIMS. 

The ARA is collaborating with the heavy haul Pilbara teams from Rio, BHP and Roy Hill to introduce the common entry level course. This will enable everyone in their supply chain to undergo the same training, eliminating the need for employees to do multiple courses. It also ensures that when they transition to the Rail Industry Worker system, they will have a foundational nationally recognised unit of competency as required by the national rail safety law. A win win all round! 

It is a great example of harmonising skills and training to boost productivity and safety across the rail industry. 

For more information, contact ARA General Manager – Workforce Development, Fiona Love.