Meeting future rail skills demand

Australia’s rail system is being transformed through record investment in new infrastructure, trains and modern digital technologies. 

Over the next decade we will need 70,000 more workers to build, operate and maintain our expanding networks. This includes 13,000 digital specific roles to support the introduction of new technologies and signalling systems.

Right now, networks develop their own bespoke approaches to workforce training and skills requirements. The skills are not widely recognised. So, workers often cannot move beyond the network they are trained in. 

That’s why the National Rail Action Plan (NRAP) is bringing together governments with the rail and skills sectors. Together we are taking a national approach to grow the rail skills Australia needs now and into the future.

We are:

• working with the rail industry to identify the specific skills required to meet changing workforce demands
• developing a national curriculum to support the roll out of digital signalling systems
• helping to lift successful strategies aimed at encouraging a more diverse cohort of workers to start and progress their career in rail.
  
   

By 2027, nearly 40 percent of existing rail workers will be affected by digital technologies.

Image

Digital skills vary across the rail workforce today.

As rail transforms through new signalling technologies and communications, more workers with a wide range of skills will be needed to keep our trains running.

Working closely with industry, NRAP has developed a Future Skills Framework. 

This identifies the new technologies and the 16 critical roles and skills needed to build, run and maintain a better rail system. We are working with industry on agreed training so we can develop a national skills base.

Critical rail roles needed over the next five years

df

The Framework also identifies other social and cognitive skills that all workers will need as changes to the sector affect their day-to-day tasks. 

Adaptive skills include: 

• Digital literacy
• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Learning agility
• Teamwork and collaboration

Through NRAP, we are building nationally recognised learning pathways in all areas that support the interoperability of our rail system. To start with we are:

• developing a national curriculum for digital train control systems
• working with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and Industry Skills Australia (ISA) to develop common role titles, responsibilities and other elements that support mutual recognition of rail workers’ skills. This will make it easier for workers to move across networks and support the interoperability of our rail system.
• delivering a pilot to lift foundational digital skills  across the rail workforce. This includes workers from Queensland Rail, VicTrack and V/Line. 
   

Many of the skills that rail needs are in demand around the world. 

To compete for this talent, rail needs to show that it offers a flexible, welcoming and inclusive workplace. 

Individual rail organisations have been doing this with some success. 

Through NRAP, we’re working with the ARA and industry to take local success stories and expand them for greater impact.

This includes pilot programs that will make it easier for women, young people and people from different backgrounds to start and progress a career in rail.

 

If you'd like to express interest in the National Rail Action Plan and program, or ask us a question about our work, send us an email as we'd like to hear from you.