An EPIC Graduation

The first cohort of the Engineering Pathways Industry Cadetship (EPIC) have celebrated their completion of the program!

EPIC is an 18-month cadetship for refugee and asylum seeker engineers that provides on-the-job training and access to industry networks. It aims to address the barriers faced by new Australians in accessing professional employment opportunities in infrastructure.

It’s been a busy 18 months for the cadets who gained valuable work experience across MTIA’s infrastructure projects, all while completing a Graduate Certificate in Infrastructure Management through Swinburne University.

Last month, the 30 cadets were invited to attend an online graduation ceremony to acknowledge their achievements.

The momentous occasion included speeches from LXRP Chief Operating Officer, Matthew Gault as well as Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Vicki Ward MP.

Ms Ward congratulated the graduating cohort on their resilience and determination over the last 18 months, overcoming online learning and lockdowns to get where they are today.

The graduating cohort was represented by LXRP cadet Hayat Farah, who praised her fellow cadets on how far they have come in the past 18 months.

A total of 50 cadets have now been employed over the two programs, with benefits seen in cadet confidence, increase of employer openness to a diverse workforce and ongoing employment opportunities after the program finishes.

The Rail Academy is very proud of the ongoing achievements of these cadets, wishing them all the best as they enter the workforce.