High school students begin an Australian first rail qualification

In an Australian first, year 10 and 11 school students with an interest in rail and construction have begun a two-year pilot program to get them ready for a career in the rail industry.

Led by the Level Crossing Removal Project and working with the Victorian rail industry, the course has been developed as an introductory rail qualification for high school students, known as Certificate II in Heavy and Light Rail Fundamentals (pre-vocational).

The curriculum sees students undertake training in several areas of railway operation, including customer service, safety awareness, rail infrastructure and rolling stock.

By the end of the course, students will have with a basic knowledge and understanding of the rail industry in Victoria, with students having the technical know-how to lay sections of rail track and use a model signalling system to control a train’s movement.

The two-year, part-time course will count towards a VCE qualification, and will hopefully encourage students to be part of the next generation of rail workers needed to deliver Victoria’s upcoming infrastructure projects.

We spoke to some students about what they’re most excited about.

Find out more about VET in Schools.