Energy Skills Queensland’s Career Start Rail Skills program is designed to offer long-term unemployed and disadvantaged candidates the opportunity to complete work-based training and skills funded under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) initiative. This is provided over an 8-10 week period across regional Queensland where rail-based employment opportunities are available.

Since 2017, Energy Skills Queensland has partnered with CERT to provide this training. “CERT is Australia’s leading rail industry training provider with a reputation for quality training and assessment processes and producing skilled graduates” says Sebastian Ross-Hagebaum, ESQ Program Manager – Workforce Skilling.

ESQ’s program offers local job seekers the support to gain relevant skills and the prospect to secure sustainable employment in the rail industry. ESQ provides “learning support, pastoral care and motivation during the training to assist candidates in the transition to work” says Sebastian, and adds that “CERT’s involvement ensures these candidates are trained effectively with emphasis on practical skills and hands-on experience in track construction and maintenance.

Graduates are work ready with skills and knowledge required under industry standards.” Graduates of the Career Start Rail Skills program will hold a Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure qualification (TLI21315), a Queensland Rail QR3.2 accreditation (TLIF2080 Safely access the rail corridor) and a white card (CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry), as well as completing various rail network specific induction programs and a Category 3 medical, which is commonly required before gaining employment in the industry.

Sebastian states that “CERT’s graduates under the Career Start Rail Skills program continue to achieve strong levels of post-graduation employment” adding, that CERT continues to exceed ESQ’s expectations with our “ability to positively engage disadvantaged learner cohorts and present content in a manner that promotes learning and responds to individual students’ learning styles and support needs”.

If you require training in a manner that is tailored to your learning and employment needs from an RTO that prides itself on providing flexible, innovative and responsive training solutions, contact your local CERT office for more details.

To learn more about ESQ and their programs, please call (07) 3271 8800.