Central Queensland University-based Rail CRC, the Cooperative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies, has made a significant move this month to address the education shortcomings in the Australian railway industry, announcing an inaugural Understanding Rail course for rail managers.

According to Rail CRC Chief Executive Professor Dudley Roach (pictured), the course, to be staged in partnership with the Australasian Railway Association, will give managers and others new to the railway industry a comprehensive overview of the operational, technical and business setting of today’s increasingly competitive rail environment.

To be held in Sydney from June 28-29, the course will bring together some of the nation’s leading rail experts, including Chief Executive Officer of Pacific National Stephen O’Donnell, former Queensland Rail chief Vince O’Rourke and authors of the textbook, 'New Railway Environment'.

“As with many other industries, to maintain their business edge rail companies are often hiring the most experienced business managers to lead their company’s activities – professionals who may not always have a complete understanding of the complexities of the modern railway industry,” Professor Roach said.

“The ARA and Rail CRC recognised this and have developed a course which will give these business managers an overview of areas such as the legislative environment, railway access, safe railway operation, railway safety regulations, rolling stock, railway infrastructure, railway operations and standards and accident investigations.”.

The Understanding Rail course adds to the educational achievements of the Rail CRC, which this year commenced its second intake of the world-first Postgraduate Diploma in Railway Signalling through the Central Queensland University.

Offered through distance education with online support and rail industry mentors, the Diploma has true national participation, with 25 signalling professionals located in various locations throughout Australia undertaking the course in 2004 and 26 in 2005.

According to Professor Roach, planning is underway to extend this signalling diploma offering to the United Kingdom, due to strong international interest and the world-wide shortage of fully trained signalling engineers.

Learning resources for a postgraduate program in track and civil infrastructure are also being developed, with Rail CRC currently consulting industry on the most appropriate way of utilising these resources. At the same time, Rail CRC is well advanced in its development of a Postgraduate Diploma in Rollingstock Engineering, planned to commence through the University of Wollongong in 2006.

“Rail CRC is powering ahead and is truly committed to addressing the skills shortage in the Australian rail industry,” Professor Roach said.

“Since Rail CRC’s commencement in 2001 we have worked closely with our railway industry participants to help meet their education and training needs and we look forward to continuing to do this in future.”.

For further information about the Understanding Rail course or other Rail CRC education initiatives, please visit www.railcrc.cqu.edu.au or phone (07) 4930 9597.

Rail CRC Media Contact: Nicole Eden, Communications and Marketing Manager (07) 4930 9064 or 0439 389 934.