VIDEO NEWS RELEASE
OVERLAY
Queensland Rail has welcomed its newest rail recruits, with electricians, mechanics and graduates securing highly sought-after jobs from Cloncurry to Cairns, as the State’s rail revolution booms.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey welcomed the 75 new recruits to Queensland Rail, as some were put through their paces on the job at the Mayne Yard facility at Bowen Hills.
“Queensland is gearing up for growth, with transformational projects like Cross River Rail and the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the horizon. With these new recruits joining the team we’re setting the stage for the next generation of rail workers,” Mr Bailey said.
“Our state is on the cusp of a transport revolution and these mechanics, electricians, diesel fitters and telecommunications technicians will help us keep delivering safe, reliable and comfortable services for Queenslanders.”
Mr Bailey said the 53 apprentices and 22 graduates were the cream of the crop after a total of 1212 people applied for the in-demand roles.
“This is largest intake of apprentices and graduates we’ve had in many years,” he said.
“Whether it’s building the tracks, maintaining rollingstock or working the technology that helps get customers to their destinations, these new starters will emerge highly skilled from the program and ready to launch their careers.”
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton also welcomed aboard the recruits who will fill critical roles across the business.
“We’re not only building Queensland Rail’s future with this new intake - we’re training the specialists who’ll continue to build Queensland,” Ms Stapleton said.
“With a highly skilled workforce our state continues to prosper, so by attracting, training and retaining recruits we’re securing a legacy for Queensland.
“A career at Queensland Rail means you’re on the express train to success.”
Ms Stapleton said as well as new recruits, existing Queensland Rail workers have also been successful securing a spot in the program.
“This highlights how dedicated and enthusiastic our workforce is – we’re proud to say we’re looking at the next generation of Queensland Rail lifers,” she said.
“We’re also thrilled to be welcoming more people from diverse backgrounds, more women, and those from rural and regional communities.
“At Queensland Rail we know the more diverse and inclusive we are, the better our work will be.”
Traction linesperson electrical apprentice Monique Van Schyndel successfully applied for an apprenticeship after spending three years in Queensland Rail’s customer service team.
“My dad and two brothers are at Queensland Rail so I jumped at the chance to work over the other side of the yellow line – rail is in my blood,” Ms Van Schyndel said.
“I know here I am treated well and looked after and I’m so excited to be working with the infrastructure that keeps the trains moving - using my brain and figuring how things operate.”
The next apprentice and graduate recruiting intake will commence in mid-2023.
BACKGROUND
• More than 1,200 applied for Queensland Rail’s apprenticeship and graduate program, which is the largest for the business in many years.
• 53 apprentice roles have been filled and 22 graduate roles were filled.
• The new team members will be stationed in south east Queensland, Toowoomba, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Emerald, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Cloncurry, Rockhampton, Gracemere and Portsmith.
| Apprenticeship roles | Recruits SEQ | Recruits Regional |
| Electricians | 15 | 10 |
| Power traction linesperson | 7 | 3 |
| Telecommunications | 4 | 5 |
| Diesel Fitter | 2 | - |
| Engineering Mechanical Trade (Fitting) | 3 | 4 |
| Graduate roles | Recruits |
| Civil Engineering | 3 (including 1 regional) |
| Telecoms and operations | 3 |
| Rollingstock engineering | 3 (including 1 regional) |
| Signalling engineering | 3 |
| Information technology | 2 |
| Major Project Integration – mechanical engineering | 4 |
| Major Project Integration – electrical engineering | 1 |
| Safety graduate | 1 regional |
| Low voltage electrical engineer | 1 |
| High voltage electrical engineer | 1
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