Stay at the forefront of the rail industry with an immersive learning experience that provides comprehensive knowledge, valuable industry insights and career-enhancing recognition.
The ARA Professional Certificate in Rail provides rail professionals with the crucial, cutting-edge industry knowledge and understanding required to excel in today’s dynamic rail environment. The certificate is awarded to participants of this 25-week online, industry-designed and recognised training course.
Whether involved in design, construction, operations, or maintenance, the ARA Professional Certificate in Rail offers insights that align with industry best practices, helping to future-proof rail careers.
This certificate provides the tools to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving rail environment and explores topics such as:
- Rail freight & passenger operations
- Infrastructure & maintenance
- Rail safety
- Digitisation & automation
- Sustainability & supply chain
- Asset lifecycle management
The ARA Professional Certificate in Rail combines the ARA’s five individual courses, with a live webinar and an optional site visit. Participants learn together in one of two cohorts each year. All learning is undertaken online through the ARA Learning platform.
Each participant receives a Certificate of Completion and a Credly Badge.
March cohort commences 3 March 2025
June cohort – enrolment opens March 2025
What you will learn
The ARA Professional Certificate in Rail combines the ARA’s five industry-leading courses with a live webinar and an optional site-visit to create the first Australasian rail industry-designed and recognised professional certificate.
It is a comprehensive and interconnected learning experience covering the technical, operational and safety aspects of rail systems through in-depth courses on rail operations, signalling, rollingstock and infrastructure. It provides a thorough perspective on the rail industry, discussing industry challenges and highlighting issues such as automation, sustainability and innovation.
Learning is delivered through the online ARA Learning platform. Each course is open for five weeks, with a total of 25 weeks needed to complete the ARA Professional Certificate in Rail.
ARA Understanding Rail Course | 3 March
This course provides a foundational understanding of the role of rail in communities, and the economic and social benefits it brings. Learners gain knowledge of various railway operations (eg passenger, freight, heavy haul) and the importance of safety and sustainability. The course also covers the types of services delivered by trains, the underlying business models and the critical role of the supply chain, as well as insights into the professionals who shape the industry.
ARA Rollingstock Course | 7 April
This course focuses on train design, procurement, and propulsion systems, covering traditional diesel, electric, battery/electric, and hydrogen options. Learners explore how train design interacts with terrain and the increasing integration of systems that manage train operations above and below the rail. The course provides a deep understanding of the technological considerations in rollingstock.
ARA Rail Infrastructure Course | 12 May
This course offers a comprehensive overview of rail infrastructure, focusing on the key components that ensure the safe, efficient and reliable operation of rail systems. Participants will explore the fundamentals of electrical, track and civil, and geotechnical considerations, which are integral to the design, construction, and maintenance of modern railways.
ARA Rail Signalling Course | 16 June
The signalling course covers the core principles of rail signalling systems and their importance in ensuring safety. It covers the terminology, system integration, and evolution of signalling, including modern and future technologies like digital signalling and Future Railway Mobile Communication Systems (FRMCS). Learners are introduced to signalling design, reading signalling plans, maintenance, and the complexities of both lineside and digital assets in the network.
ARA Rail Operations Course | 21 July
This course showcases the complexities of delivering safe and customer-focused services across passenger, freight and heavy haul sectors. The course covers key operational functions such as train timetabling, rollingstock maintenance, communications, and how digitisation and de-carbonisation impact these functions. It also addresses safety legislation, business models and the importance of customer-centricity in rail operations.
The ARA Professional Certificate in Rail offers a well-rounded perspective on the rail industry, addressing its technical and operational challenges while highlighting safety, sustainability and innovation.
Get started with the ARA Professional Certificate in Rail
Begin your journey towards industry-recognised expertise today