Skills shortages in rail construction in Australia

Today the Australasian Railway Association released its skills capability study report in association with BIS Oxford Economics.

The report is billed as a “Skills Crisis: A Call To Action”. The study identifies a growing skills shortage in the industry which is being exacerbated by historic high construction levels combined with an ageing workforce.

Noting significant projects such as; Brisbane Cross-River Rail, Inland Rail, Sydney & Melbourne Metro projects, Level Crossing removals in Victoria, and regional rail improvements. The report identifies the cyclical ‘stop-start’ nature of rail investment as contributing to a shortage of skilled personnel required to deliver these projects.

To read the full report, visit the ARA website here.