Yakka Training Drives Employment and Training Success in Rail

Yakka Training, a 100% Indigenous-owned business, is continuing to create powerful employment pathways through its dedicated training initiatives, most recently demonstrated through its Cootamundra Rail Readiness program.

Renowned for its strong commitment to mentoring, cultural support, and preparing participants for workplace success, Yakka Training designs programs that bridge the gaps often faced when entering the rail industries. This philosophy was central to the recent Inland Rail Skills Academy Rail Readiness course, delivered in partnership with John Holland as part of Yakka’s ongoing commitment to regional skill development.

The importance of this work has been reinforced by new national findings. In July, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) released the first phase of its Jobs and Skills Roadmap for Regional Australia, highlighting the urgent need for training solutions that respond directly to the realities of regional communities. The report identifies a range of interconnected barriers, financial pressures, limited digital access, restricted childcare and transport options, housing affordability, and the impacts of health and disability, that continue to prevent many regional Australians from accessing meaningful, long‑term employment.

These insights align closely with Yakka Training’s on‑the‑ground experience and validate its approach: community‑centred, culturally supportive, industry‑led programs that remove barriers and open real pathways into skilled work. Yakka’s model is precisely the kind of solution the roadmap calls for, one that strengthens regional workforces while meeting the immediate needs of growing sectors like rail and construction.

Through this Yakka‑led initiative, several Cootamundra locals have now secured full-time employment on the Inland Rail Illabo to Stockinbingal section, a powerful example of what happens when training design, industry need, and community support are brought together. This outcome not only transforms individual futures but demonstrates how collaboration can deliver the workforce development outcomes the JSA roadmap says Australia needs.

The intensive three‑day program was developed and facilitated by Yakka Training, whose trainers and staff bring deep experience across community engagement, education, rail operations, and industry leadership. These core components reflect Yakka’s holistic approach: not just teaching skills, but preparing participants for long‑term, sustainable careers.

Participants Step Into New Careers

Among the newly employed graduates is Gwen Norman, who has joined the Inland Rail project as a Community Liaison Officer. Gwen embraced the opportunity to contribute to a major infrastructure project in her hometown, bringing experience from education, mining, events, and community volunteering.

Another graduate, Todd Bryant, secured a position as Logistics Coordinator with John Holland. Todd’s leadership qualities were immediately visible during the Rail Readiness program, qualities shaped by more than 25 years in the building industry and running his own construction business.

Todd said the Yakka-led course was life‑changing:
“I was ready for a new challenge and wanted to be part of something iconic like the Inland Rail project happening here in my hometown.
I’d done plenty of training over my 25 years in the building industry, so I expected the Rail Readiness course to be much the same, but it ended up being a real turning point for me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a new perspective, which led me to join the team at John Holland and helped me grow both personally and professionally.”

Their success is a testament to Yakka Training’s expertise in creating culturally supportive environments and industry‑aligned training programs that genuinely change lives.

Yakka Continues to Expand Opportunities for Young People and School Leavers

In addition to its rail initiatives, Yakka Training is also marking a milestone that highlights the value of collaboration across organisations to create employment opportunities for young people. This includes the launch of Yakka Careers’ first school based trainee, supported through a new partnership with Men of Business Academy (MOB Academy) and Diverse Edge.

This partnership demonstrates how organisations can work together to create early pathway opportunities that combine real industry experience, mentoring, and structured support. While this initiative supports a single school based trainee, it reflects a broader commitment to building scalable models that can be expanded over time.

The industry continues to face significant skills shortages and a lack of structured training pathways for many work based occupations. Yakka Training is responding directly to this challenge by driving initiatives that deliver the skills industry is actively seeking. This milestone underscores the importance of collaboration between training providers, employers, and community partners in developing industry led solutions that support long term workforce capability.

From regional training initiatives in Cootamundra to school‑based traineeships, Yakka Training continues to demonstrate its leadership and dedication to community uplift, workforce development, and building the next generation of rail professionals.