National strategy needed to address NZ rail workforce gaps
Read moreFuture workforce
Building a skilled, resilient and diverse workforce is critical to the future success of the rail industry. The move towards digital signalling, automation, and predictive maintenance requires new skills in areas such as data analytics, cybersecurity, and digital engineering. Strategic workforce planning, investment in skills and collaboration between industry, government and education institutions will underpin progress.
Benefits of rail
The rail industry provides more than $3.3 billion in economic benefits to New Zealand every year. This includes $2.3 billion annually in environmental, safety, health and reduced road congestion benefits, as well as almost $1 billion towards GDP. Rail also delivers an additional 1,010 FTE jobs, mostly in the construction and wholesale and retail trade sectors and saves travellers 8.8 million hours and 10.3 million hours of driving annually in Auckland and Wellington respectively.
Passenger and freight
Moving more freight and people by rail will be essential to New Zealand reaching its target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. There are 23 million passenger journeys in Auckland and Wellington and 17 million tonnes of freight being moved by rail each year. Rail freight services support the supply chain system, providing cost-effective transportation for import, export and domestic goods.