Training has always been an important aspect of railway career development. as early as 1891, NSW Railways realised the benefits of training and educating their staff. That was the year that Rail Commissioners Edward Miller, Gard Eddy and Sir Henry Parkes launched the Railway Institute in Devonshire Street, devoted to the education and advancement of railway employees.

Courses included mechanical and electrical engineering, railway car building, carriage painting, oxy-welding, locomotive driving, guardsmanship, accounting, typing and shorthand. Technical and training colleges also provided career development courses to suit other areas of railway work.

Distance proved no barrier to learning, with railway authorities providing specially equipped education vans to tour the state providing portable classroom and demonstration facilities to supplement railway workshop training in remote locations.

Railway careers for today's men and women can still begin with Railway Apprentice Training Programs. This is an opportunity to work and learn at the same time by attending classroom and practical tuition at TAFE and undertaking supervised on-the-job training in a railway workshop environment. orhprojectscot

Apprenticeships are currently offered in areas as diverse as mechanical engineering, metal trades, electric supply services including electricians and powerline workers (rail traction) and telecommunication. These programs also provide opportunities to learn a combination of modern day skills and heritage techniques.

Find out more at www.railcorp.info/careers/apprenticeships