Together with our industry partners, Arc Infrastructure has helped deliver Australia’s first core rail civil engineering unit.
Three new undergraduate rail engineering units were launched at Edith Cowan University (ECU) last week, delivered in partnership with the Australasian Railway Association (ARA), Rio Tinto and the Public Transport Authority.
In a national first, one of the three units will be a mandatory component of ECU’s civil engineering degree, embedding rail into the core curriculum for the very first time and helping to build WA’s future rail workforce.
Arc Infrastructure Head of People Sam Crowford said the partnership was a great example of positive collaboration with industry.
“This is what true collaboration looks like. By working hand-in-hand with our industry partners, we’ve helped create a learning pathway that reflects the real needs of our sector.
“It’s a proud moment for Arc and a meaningful step toward building a skilled, future-ready workforce,” Sam said.
ECU School of Engineering Executive Dean Professor Paulo de Souza welcomed the introduction of the rail units.
“The introduction of these rail-focused units at Edith Cowan University marks a significant step forward in aligning our engineering programs with the future needs of Australia’s infrastructure sector.”
ARA Chief Executive Caroline Wilkie recognised the contribution of industry partners and highlighted the importance of the rail industry in providing future employment opportunities and career pathways.
“Rail generates 165,000 jobs across Australia and offers exciting careers on rail projects and networks, both here and overseas.
“The rail industry has suffered from persistent skills shortages in critical roles such as engineering and is facing a retirement cliff by 2035. However, despite the significant demand for new talent, very few dedicated learning pathways into the industry exist across the country.
“These rail units provide a clear pathway to help more students consider a rewarding career in rail,” Caroline said.
The first of the three units,
Railway Design, Construction and Maintenance will commence during the second semester of 2025, followed by
Railway System Mechanics and
Railway Electrical, Control and Signalling Systems.
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