Careers in Rail

In 2025, Gateway LLEN organised a tailored site visit for Year 10 students to explore the state-of-the-art training facilities at Rail Academy Newport. This initiative was delivered in partnership with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA), offering secondary students a unique opportunity to explore career pathways in the rail industry.

The Rail Academy Newport is Australia’s leading rail training facility, playing an integral role in supporting training for rail and other major infrastructure projects across Victoria. Students were granted exclusive access to the academy, where they engaged with industry professionals, observed operational processes and participated in interactive activities.

The Challenge

Rail Academy Newport (RAN) is a specialised training centre designed to support both train and tram industry training. Originally developed to simulate real-world rail and tram network systems, RAN provides a safe, off-network environment for immersive training.

The aim of this initiative was to give students an exclusive insight into large-scale rail and tram projects, while also raising awareness of the diverse career opportunities available in rail, light rail and construction industries.

The Result

During the visit, students had the chance to:

  • Immerse themselves in a real-world rail training environment.
  • Take part in hands-on activities such as track work, station management and safety operations.
  • Hear directly from industry experts about various career pathways

The experience was led by industry experts with extensive experience and knowledge in the rail, light rail, and construction industries.

Following this visit, students were also offered the opportunity to gain work experience with both the Suburban Rail Loop Authority and Suburban Connect.