Diverse group of trainees ready for rail industry
Sixteen Wagga Wagga locals from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds have put themselves in the front row for employment in the rail industry by completing an eight-week Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure course thanks to the Inland Rail Skills Academy.
The accredited course opens up future career opportunities including employment as a track labourer, track installer, or on the track maintenance crew.
With Inland Rail construction already under way in the Stockinbingal to Parkes section and construction expected to begin in the Albury to Illabo and Illabo to Stockinbingal sections soon, these graduates will be well placed to help deliver Inland Rail in New South Wales.
The graduates celebrated their accomplishments today with a ceremony, presentations and lunch at Ladysmith Railway Station.
The course was run in partnership with Junee-based training provider TICRail and was held at Wagga Wagga Multicultural Council’s centre in Station Place, Wagga Wagga, for four days a week from 4 June.
These classroom sessions were complemented by regular practical days at Ladysmith Railway Station, an inactive line which provides a safe, yet realistic, training environment.
Over the eight weeks students received theory and practical training covering work health and safety procedures, track fundamentals, operating minor mechanical equipment, track ballasting, and installing railway sleepers.
The Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure course provides a great opportunity for entry level qualifications for the industry, and includes mandatory training required for a Rail Industry Worker card, and any offer of employment for participants.
The course has been successfully run previously in Wagga Wagga, with some participants gaining meaningful employment in the rail industry and supply chain following their training.
Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability, said:
“We’re proud to bring this critical training course to the Wagga Wagga community once again and are thrilled to see another group graduate from the Inland Rail Skills Academy here.
“The qualifications gained during this Certificate II course will give participants a significant boost in gaining meaningful employment into the future, and they should be commended for all their efforts completing what can be a challenging and rewarding course.
“Inland Rail is delivering real opportunities for regional communities. Through the Skills Academy, Inland Rail is significantly contributing to communities along the alignment by creating opportunities for education, training, skills development, and employment.”
Image Caption: Graduates celebrate at Ladysmith Railway Station. (Source: Inland Rail)
