The cost and complexity of managing a workforce that can operate across multiple rail networks is high in Australia, where there are many similar but differently-named roles with varying competencies, training and assessments.
To help harmonise skills and support a more mobile workforce at a lower cost, the National Transport Commission (NTC), through its National Rail Action Plan (NRAP), has identified rail’s top 10 operations and maintenance roles across Australia’s 18 rail networks and grouped together their most frequently used titles.
It’s an important step towards simplifying nationally recognised competencies to support the large rail investments happening across the country.
The NTC has compared data from the Australasian Railway Association’s (ARA) Rail Industry Worker (RIW) Program and the REMSMART platform, as well as the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), which is used to organise and analyse job statistics.
The analysis reveals many differences between ANZSCO classifications and the role titles commonly used by the rail industry, as well as a lack of recognition of many emerging rail roles, particularly in the ICT, digital and engineering space.
Getting greater commonality of job titles and responsibilities will reduce the burden on workers, improve safety and drive down costs and time lost to retraining.
It will make it simpler and easier for workers to move across networks, improving workforce portability and expanding Australia’s national rail skills base.
A harmonised data base will also improve forecasting and workforce planning, so industry can better identify and respond to rail skills shortages.
Download the Rail Operations and Maintenance Roles: Top 10 Role Analysis Working Paper here.
Find out more about the NTC’s work harmonising rules, skills and training by visiting the website.
