Arc Infrastructure recently welcomed ten new Network Controllers recruited by the People team from the United Kingdom.
The tight labour market drove a business decision to undertake an overseas recruitment drive.
A similar process had been undertaken in the early 2010s and proved successful in mitigating some of the challenges of recruiting and retaining Network Controllers.
Led by Arc’s People team, Arc applied to the Federal Government for a Labour Agreement visa. This will allow Arc to bring in up to 10 Network Controllers each year, for the next 5 years from overseas.
Recruitment Advisor Alison Gleaves said it had been exciting to be part of the process, having herself relocated with her husband through Brookfield Rail when the last recruitment drive was conducted in the UK in the early 2010s.
“We applied after we saw an advert with a beautiful picture of Scarborough Beach. It’s been fun to be on the other side of the fence this time around,” Ms Gleaves said.
Sixty applications were received from the initial advertisement, which highlighted the amazing lifestyle of Western Australia, and relocation package.
Twenty-eight individuals were selected for in-person interviews, which were conducted by Head of Operations & Customer Management Rod Smith and Ms Gleaves in early 2023 in the UK, before the final 10 were provided offers.
Four of these arrived in the middle of the year and have almost completed their training. Mr Smith, said so far, the new Network Controllers were settling in well.
“There are some obvious differences and challenges from their experience in working in rail in the UK, but they’re picking things up quickly.”
“We’ve been able to utilize our new Simulation Training desks to provide them with vital experience of working on the network in a safe, test environment, before they enter the real control room,” Mr Smith said.
The remaining six Network Controllers from this cohort of recruits arrived in September and have also now commenced their training.
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