The launch of a new jobs portal will help tackle Australian rail’s ongoing skills shortages.
There is currently a “mismatch” between rail’s available pool of skilled workers and continuing strong growth in both the freight and passenger rail sectors, according to the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council’s (TLISC) latest Environmental-Scan.
The Australian rail industry employs more than 40,000 people directly and another 60,000 indirectly, yet more skilled workers are needed to overcome the industry’s well documented skills and labour shortages.
According to the E-Scan, competition for labour from the resources and mining boom has resulted in experienced rail personnel changing industries to pursue the more attractive financial benefits the mining industry is offering.
“This movement is happening across passenger, freight and infrastructure operations,” the E-Scan states.
“The high cost of training for many of these occupations can act as a disincentive for employers to train new entrants because they fear losing staff once qualified. There is evidence of increased use of contract labour as a result.”
According to the E-Scan, occupations in skill demand for 2011/12 include:
&bull    train driver
&bull    railway track worker
&bull    signal technician/signal electrician
&bull    rail engineer, signalling engineer
&bull    railway track plant driver/operator
&bull    train controller
&bull    possession planner/project manager
&bull    railway shunter/yard assistant and
&bull    rail trainer/assessor.
A new job portal seeks to address rail’s skills shortages by providing a one-stop-shop for both rail jobseekers and employers offereing job vacancies.
Supported by the marketing power of Informa – publisher of industry leading print and electronic trade media including Rail Express – the job portal ensures that vacant jobs are seen by a broad range of candidates as well as keeping jobseekers abreast of the latest vacancies in rail, Australia wide.
To register to receive the free weekly jobs or to advertise a job vacancy visit: www.informajobs.com.au
 
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