'Skills shortage' drives rail careers program in Gunnedah

School students from across the North West NSW region were given a first-hand look at careers in the rail industry.

The careers’ event was hosted by the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program.

RIEP is tasked with connecting young people to employers in various industries.

Its ‘Get on Track with Rail’ program provides the initial exposure various jobs in the rail industry.

The Australian Rail Track Corporation’s (ARTC) Gunnedah site hosted one of these introductory sessions last week.

About 24 students attended from Gunnedah, Quirindi and Tamworth.

Activities included a ‘hands-on’ railway sleeper and track maintenance demonstration as well as vehicle and equipment safety introductions.

ARTC pathways co-ordinator Jye Charlton-Brennan said the Gunnedah session followed a successful event in Newcastle where about 40 students attended.

Like many other heavy industry trades, he said the rail industry required more boosts on the ground.

“There has been a skills shortage across the rail industry,” Mr Charlton-Brennan said.

“There has been a shortage for several years and rail is growing as a form of freight transport across Australia.”

ARTC hosts a pathway for young people looking to explore careers which includes training to safely access the rail corridor and later work experience. Renee Ceapa, the national business development manager with training provider TICRail, was among those on the ground helping out with the Gunnedah session.

She said the hands-on exposure to the rail environment was invaluable.

“It’s great for them having the opportunity to touch the equipment in a safe environment,” Ms Ceapa said.

She said job opportunities were many and varied, particularly with the ongoing development of the Inland Rail project connecting Melbourne and Brisbane.

Ms Ceapa said jobs were also available in areas not directly linked to track work. These included protection officer, who is responsible for safety procedures and safe working conditions for workers in the rail corridor and network controller who communicates with drivers and signallers across the rail network.

Ryan Boyle transferred from the mining industry and has been working in rail for just a matter of months.

“I like the variety of the job,” the area manager said.

“It is a good work life balance too.”

He manages a 25-strong team and said each team member brings a unique but valueable skill set to the workplace.

ARTC area manager Ryan Boyle, chats with staff and students during the careers session. Students were shown on the equipment used to maintain the rail corridor.