Inland Rail inspires Riverina students to ‘Try a Trade’
Students from 25 schools across the Riverina have had a glimpse into future careers in the rail industry, through a virtual reality experience with Inland Rail at the Try a Trade Employment Expo in Wagga Wagga last Thursday.
Held at The Range Function Centre, the event brought together over 40 employers and training providers to showcase vocational career pathways, apprenticeships, and hands-on trades to high school students preparing for life after school.
Around 40 students visited the Inland Rail booth, where they experienced an interactive virtual reality display that allowed them to explore planned infrastructure upgrades in their own backyard — including new bridges to be built in Wagga Wagga as part of the Inland Rail project.
Students also got a hands-on experience in sound monitoring and water sampling, with Martinus representatives showcasing some of the tasks involved on a rail infrastructure site.
Inland Rail is committed to supporting workforce development in regional communities. Between July 2023 and May 2025, 762 people worked on the Albury to Parkes enhancement projects, of whom 208 were local residents, 88 were First Nations and 73 were women, with Inland Rail spending $17.3 million with 141 local businesses over that period.
Find out more about Inland Rail Skills Academy training and development opportunities or email irskillsacademy@artc.com.au.
Stephen Jones, Inland Rail Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment and Sustainability, said:
‘The Try a Trade Employment Expo was a valuable opportunity to connect with the next generation of skilled workers and highlight the exciting career paths available in the rail industry.
‘We’re proud to support initiatives like Try a Trade that help young people make informed career choices.
‘Inland Rail is more than just a freight project — it’s a chance for local workers to get involved in building the future of regional Australia.’
CAPTION: Students explore career pathways with hands-on experiences at the ‘Try a Trade’ day.
