Rail Sep 4, 2025
Building Awareness and Pathways for the Future of Rail
The Rail industry plays a vital role in Australia’s infrastructure and economy, yet many community members still hold outdated perceptions about the nature of work in the sector. Industry stakeholders have observed limited awareness of the diverse range of roles and career pathways available, many of which offer above-average wages and long-term career stability.
The Rail industry is facing an ageing workforce, with a significant portion of employees nearing retirement age. To ensure long-term sustainability, there is a clear need to engage younger workers and diversify the talent pipeline by creating clearer pathways and equipping the workforce with emerging technologies.
A recent site visit brought this issue closer to home for ISA’s Industry Engagement Manager, Carly Grigg. Carly visited the newly opened head office of Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) in Bendigo, hosted by Tennille Leamon, SSR’s Training Manager. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the 2025 Workforce Plan and explore how advocacy and participation in sector-wide initiatives, such as roundtables can help elevate Rail’s visibility and address workforce challenges.
SSR is a major employer in the Rail sector, with over 450 staff across Australia, many of whom are based in regional communities and will employ around 750 by the end of 2025. The company delivers heavy haulage rail freight services and also operates wagon and locomotive maintenance and rollingstock manufacturing, with 150% workforce growth underway since 2020. SSR is actively running information sessions and recruitment drives throughout regional NSW to meet increasing workforce demands.
Carly Grigg noted after her site visit “The new facility creates so much potential for growth. “Given that the industry is seeking more skilled workers, SSR sets a benchmark for training and recruitment to ensure the business can develop sustainably which is a perfect example of how the Rail industry can address workforce retention and career pathways. ”
ISA is also leading a series of projects aimed at enhancing career pathways and supporting the design and delivery of training packages, making Rail more accessible and inclusive for diverse and young job seekers.
Several current ISA initiatives are designed to support SSR and the broader Rail industry, including:
- Mutual Recognition - industry’s minimum expectations for the design and delivery of training and assessment.
- Improving Rail Careers – Enhancing visibility and access to career pathways