Rail May 1, 2026
Strengthening Industry Connections: ISA Engagements in Western Australia
Industry Skills Australia (ISA) continued to strengthen industry engagement and collaboration in Western Australia, with Industry Engagement Manager Carly Grigg spending a week in Perth focused on networking, learning, and workforce capability conversations across the heavy haul and freight rail sectors.
Industry Site Engagements
As part of the visit, Carly took a site tour of Rio Tinto’s Port and Rail Logistics Control Room at the Operations Centre in Perth. Hosted by Adam Hetherington, Superintendent, Coastal, Port and Rail Logistics, and Casey Sloper, Superintendent Operations Train Control, the visit provided insight into the autonomous operations in use across Rio Tinto’s sites.
Discussions focused on how the control room is designed to support complex, large-scale operations, alongside the training approaches used to maintain a highly skilled workforce and enable career progression. The visit also highlighted the dual operating (driver and autonomous) capability of Rio Tinto’s rail fleet, , differing from the fully driverless passenger rail operations emerging on the east coast.
During the same week, Casey Sloper was also recognised with the “Inspirational Woman in Heavy Haul Rail Award”, acknowledging her leadership and contribution to the sector.
Industry Leadership and Collaboration
Carly also attended the 15th Annual Heavy Haul Rail Conference, which brought together senior leaders from across the freight rail industry. Common themes raised by speakers included the critical importance of safety across rail and the broader supply chain, and the need to better align people, priorities, and organisational structures.
Speakers emphasised understanding and developing talent, evolving structures to better support maintenance, renewals, civils and roads, and maintaining the high levels of reliability required by Australia’s geographically vast heavy haul rail network. The conference reinforced the sector’s vital role in Australia’s economic resilience, while exploring environmental challenges, productivity improvements, and the growing impact of digitisation and artificial intelligence.
“The Heavy Haul Rail Conference reinforced many of the themes ISA is hearing through our workforce planning research and engagement, particularly the importance of better alignment between people, priorities and organisational structures. Engaging directly with industry leaders helps ensure our projects are grounded in real operational challenges and focused on practical, long‑term workforce solutions.” Carly re-emphasised
Workforce Wellbeing and Safety
A key component of the week was participation in Rail R U OK? Day, including presentations from Heather Neil of TrackSAFE. The session highlighted the importance of everyday conversations and the value of connection in supporting mental health and wellbeing across the rail industry.
Innovation and Training Approaches
Carly also participated in a virtual reality rail investigation experience, providing exposure to immersive training technologies increasingly used across the sector. The experience demonstrated how VR and simulation tools can be effectively incorporated into broader training and assessment methodologies.
Continuing the Conversation
Reflecting on the week, the engagements reinforced the importance of direct industry connection to better understand regional challenges, innovations, and workforce priorities.
ISA looks forward to continuing these discussions through upcoming Perth and Port Hedland Roundtables:. Stakeholders are encouraged to attend, and those unable to participate are invited to contact the ISA Industry Engagement Team to discuss alternative engagement opportunities, including potential site visits.
