The ARA’s Young Leaders Advisory Board (Y-LAB) is an eight-person, gender-balanced Board, comprised of members who represent all sectors of the rail industry. Y-LAB brings together young leaders from across the rail industry to harness the insights of our emerging talent and consider the issues, projects and priorities on the ARA Board agenda. 

The Y-LAB 2024 applications are now open. Appointments are for two years, with four Y-LAB members appointed each year. 

 Applications requirements: 

  • A written statement of 200-250 words addressing the question “What can you bring to Y-LAB?” 
  • A simple video (maximum of two-minutes) addressing the question: “What is your understanding of the ARA and Y-LAB and what issues would you like to address or champion through Y-LAB?” (NOTE: the video can be completed on a mobile phone. Videos will be reviewed on the content/statements by the applicant, not whether it is professionally edited). 
  • CV (maximum two pages) 
  • Completion of a consent form by the nominee’s employer. 

Nominee Criteria 

To be eligible to join Y-LAB, you must: 

  • Be 35 years or under at 31 December 2025* 
  • Be currently employed by an ARA member company (not currently on Y-LAB)** 
  • Commit to an appointment of two years (1 July 2024 – 30 June 2026). 

Selection Criteria 

Nominations will be considered according to the following criteria: 

  • Demonstrated experience, involvement in and commitment to the rail industry 
  • Quality and clarity of written submission 
  • Quality and clarity of verbal submission via video 
  • Quality of ideas – relevant, practical, appropriate alignment to Y-LAB etc.  
  • Diversity of geographic location, skills sets and disciplines. 

* Flexibility on age may be provided on a case-by-case basis. 

** To ensure diversity, Y-LAB member organisations currently represented will not be able to secure a second representative on Y-LAB. Alstom, GHD, MTM and OneRail are represented by ongoing Y-LAB members and therefore nominees from these organisations will not be accepted this year. 

Applications are to be submitted ONLINE by 5pm AEDT on Friday 3 May 2024. 

Apply Here