National Rail Skills Hub

Many rail workers keep our rail system safe. To ensure that workers receive the support they need to do their job safely, the National Transport Commission has worked with unions, operators, governments and health professionals to update the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Works (the Standard). The revised Standard was recently approved by Australia’s transport ministers and will come into effect on Monday 11 November 2024. The updated Standard incorporates the latest expertise and best practice, making it even more practical for users. We review the standard every three years to keep it up to date. To learn more, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/g8CM9uwN Australasian Railway Association (ARA) RTBU AMWU Metro Trains Melbourne ANZSOM Inc.

In Australian rail many job roles share the same competencies. However, they're not always recognised across networks. This means workers are having to be retrained in skills they already possess as they move between jobs and jurisdictions. At the National Transport Commission, we’re working with industry to get national recognition for rail roles and skills training. This will reduce training costs and make it easier for workers to move across networks. There will always be some network specific product and domain knowledge that workers will need to attain, but by identifying common elements we can increase training productivity. And create more attractive entry pathways into the rail sector. It’s part of our commitment under the National Rail Action Plan to grow skills that support the interoperability of Australia’s rail networks. So, trains can move safely and seamlessly across the country. And people’s skills are recognised wherever they go. To find out more visit: https://shorturl.at/MEOcN Or read about the National Rail Action Plan at https://shorturl.at/alJ1b

Did you know that currently there are twelve separate safeworking rulebooks which apply to different networks across Australia? Train drivers and the contract workforce who operate across networks are impacted most by this lack of consistency in rules and network requirements. When working across different jurisdictions, they need to maintain competencies across each and every network on which they operate.   This is a burden for workers who require additional training and for rail infrastructure managers (RIMs) and operators who are responsible for assessing the relevant safeworking and network competencies of all employees on the network.   The National Rail Skills Hub is working to reduce this burden. To start with, we’re identifying common operating rules and practices to encourage mutual recognition of skills and reduce the need for bespoke training. By making things simpler for workers, RIMs and rail operators, we're providing a safer working environment, a more flexible workforce, increased productivity and creating a more competitive environment for freight services.   Find out more about our work program at https://shorturl.at/0iO5C The National Rail Skills Hub is part of the NTC’s National Rail Action Plan, taking a single national approach to make our rail system simpler, safer and better. Read more about it at https://shorturl.at/8mdPN

At the National Rail Skills Hub, we’re working to ensure Australia has the rail skills it needs as the sector undergoes the biggest change in 100 years. To do this we're working to identify common operating rules and practices across networks. Consistent rules will reduce the need for bespoke training and make it easier for people to work across jurisdictions. We're also collaborating with Australasian Railway Association (ARA) and the rail and education sectors to develop entry level training and onboarding processes that are recognised by all networks. This will reduce training costs and attract more skilled workers from other sectors. Find out more about our latest work program here https://shorturl.at/0iO5C The National Rail Skills Hub is part of the NTC’s National Rail Action Plan, taking a single national approach to make our rail system simpler, safer and better. Read more about it at https://shorturl.at/8mdPN

Through the National Rail Skills Hub, the National Transport Commission is working to make it easier for people to enter the rail industry and have skills recognised across Australia. Right now, there are 18 networks in Australia’s rail system, each with their own set of operating rules and practices. This has led to disparities in training and testing procedures. It’s an added burden for people who work across networks, and expensive for organisations who train them. We’re working to even out these differences and harmonise training and onboarding processes. It’s all part of the National Action Plan (NRAP) to make our rail system, simpler, safer and better. Read more about NRAP and how recommendations from the recent Rail Safety National Law review are paving the way for national competencies and operating rules recognised by all Australian rail transport operators. https://shorturl.at/7llKG  

The National Rail Skills Hub joins TrackSAFE Foundation and rail industry groups in urging people to “Expect the unexpected. Watch out for trains” as part of the Rail Safety Week 2024 campaign. Collisions and near collisions at railway crossings are ongoing issues that put lives at risk and have serious impacts on train drivers and others working along the rail corridor. To stay rail safe around rail lines, remember to: * Turn down headphones * Look up from the phone * Stay behind the safety line. Safety is paramount for all rail organisations. While there is an onus on everyone to keep themselves and others safe, there are a number of rail jobs whose focus is to identify and mitigate safety risks and manage safe access to the rail corridor. You can find out more about becoming a Rail Safety Officer, Track Protection Officer, or Rail Access Planner here: https://shorturl.at/Y4hHb #tracksafe #rsw14 #railsafetyweek

Attracting and keeping more women in the rail sector will help to address a critical skills shortage. Find out more about best practice initiatives at the Australasian Railway Association (ARA)'s webinar to explore insights from the recently launched “Progressing Gender Equality in the Australian Rail Industry” report.

Our Chair Carolyn Walsh was at the Australasian Railway Association (ARA)'s People and Culture Conference recently talking about how focusing on collaboration not competition will help rail take on a bigger role in Australia’s transport task. Rail has entered a “purple patch” as new technologies improve the productivity and efficiency of Australia’s rail freight and passenger services. As part of this shift in mindset, organisations and workers need to embrace new ways of working, and build the many digital skills the workforce needs to help run and maintain a modern rail system. NTC Head of Rail Skills Bradley Giddins urged rail organisations to work together to build nationally recognised competencies and skills training for the benefit of Australia. Developing consistent skills for the rail industry is a big part of achieving harmonisation and interoperability under the National Rail Action Plan. You can find out more about the NTC’s National Rail Action plan at https://shorturl.at/ASWgK

How can your workplace attract and retain more female workers? At the National Rail Skills Hub, we’re working with industry and the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) to develop programs that will improve diversity and address skills shortages across the rail industry. To inform this work, we welcome the release of the ARA and National Women in Transport's latest research, Progressing gender equality in the Australasian rail industry. The research looks at the barriers and challenges hindering women’s entry, retention, and progression in the rail industry and includes feedback from individuals across the sector. It explores best practice initiatives and shows that organisations which take active steps to improve diversity, with targeted objectives and strategies, achieve better results.   Initiatives identified include: * Introducing gender impact assessments and mentoring programs * Minimising bias in the recruitment process * Educating staff on respectful behaviours * Flexible work practices The findings were introduced by National Transport Commission, Carolyn Walsh. Carolyn also hosted a panel discussion between Caroline Wilkie , CEO ARA, Katie Spearritt, CEO Diversity Partners , Naomi Knight, Integration Specialist, Senior Project Manager, John Holland and Matthew Longland, Chief Executive, Sydney Trains. To read the report, visit https://lnkd.in/gbnJDz6K

Advanced technologies are improving the safety and productivity of rail in Australia. But they’re also putting networks at greater risk of hackers, malware and data theft. Rail operators, infrastructure managers and organisations across the supply chain have all identified cybersecurity as one the most in-demand skill areas across rail today. Through the National Rail Action Plan (NRAP) we’re helping rail organisations grow these skills to keep Australia’s rail systems safe. Through partnerships with industry and the education sector, we’re identifying the specific cyber skills needed to secure rail’s data transmissions and network systems. We’re also developing training in basic cybersafe practices for all rail workers who use network-connected devices in their day-to-day tasks.   Addressing cyberthreat is a key element of our future rail skills framework. Find out more about our work to keep rail #cybersecure in the July edition of Rail Express https://shorturl.at/BXAX6