With the start of National Careers Week, Australasian Railway Association (ARA) member organisations have joined forces to promote the new Work in Rail campaign at the Perth Careers Expo + VET Expo, which starts tomorrow.

John Holland, Arc Infrastructure, Alstom, Martinus, Andromeda, Frequentis, GHD and WA’s Public Transport Authority have all jumped onboard the ARA’s huge recruitment drive to attract job seekers to the industry.

ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie thanked industry members for their incredible support of the Work in Rail campaign, which was officially launched in April by Federal Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP.

“It is amazing to see so many of our industry leaders come together under the one roof to work on a common goal – to spread the word among jobseekers that the rail industry offers rich and rewarding careers,” Ms Wilkie said.

“The ARA’s Work in Rail website features an incredible variety of careers in the growing rail sector – there is a job to suit almost everyone.

“As we celebrate National Careers Week, now is a great time to think about your future career or whether you would like a change and consider joining a modern, innovative and exciting sector.

“The rail industry is undergoing significant transformation, with $154 billion in construction activity planned over the next 15 years and delivers significant sustainability, safety and health benefits to the wider community.”

The Work in Rail website features 80 different careers within the industry, outlining details of each role, as well as training and education pathways, salary data and links to current job vacancies.

The campaign was developed in response to the skills shortages facing the industry, with research by the ARA predicting a 70,000-worker skills gap.

John Holland’s Executive General Manager & Managing Director – Rail & Transport, Steve Butcher, said it has never been a better time to consider a career in the rail industry.

John Holland will be assisting the ARA on the Work in Rail stand at the Perth expo, held from Thursday 18 May – Sunday May 21, as well as at the HSC Careers Expo 2023 in Sydney from Thursday 1 June to Saturday 3 June.

“Working in rail for more than four decades has taught me that the opportunities for career progression really are endless. From project delivery to providing the best possible passenger experience – rail can take you anywhere,” Mr Butcher said.

“At John Holland, we’re very fortunate to be leading some of the nation’s biggest rail projects, while also operating and maintaining public transport networks around the country.

“We pride ourselves on creating pathways for people who are new to the industry, so we can set them up for a bright future.”

Public Transport Authority’s WA People and Organisational Development Division Carolyn Baldwin said the authority is also really excited to be part of the ARA’s Work in Rail campaign.

“We have a range of development programs that offer pathways into the rail industry, including our award-winning Graduate Development Program, Rail Systems Development Program (which offers apprenticeships in Signalling or Communications), Trainee Track Inspector Development Program and our Trainee Linesperson Program,” Ms Baldwin said.

“We have also recently implemented a new apprenticeship program in our Rollingstock Maintenance area, with more development opportunities to come as we grow to meet the needs of our expanding rail network.”

Tens of thousands of students, teachers, parents and career advisors will visit the careers expos, also held in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney in May and June.

For more information, visit the Work in Rail website.

Originally posted on the Australasian Railway Association’s website.