Types of apprenticeships
RailCorp offers a wide range of different apprenticeships. Click below to find out more.
Telecommunications
Communications and control systems technicians utilise state-of-the-art technology to provide mission critical services to Rail Operations. They also maintain and repair train radio, telecommunications and train control systems.
As a communications and control systems technician, you’ll keep RailCorp Train Operations talking. Your job will be to maintain, operate and repair communications and control systems, predominantly in the field. You’ll install, configure, operate, maintain, diagnose faults and repair Telecommunications and train control services in support of Rail Operations.
At a qualified level you’ll use your extensive training, experience and analytical skills to plan, design, implement, manage and maintain quality control of complex telecommunications and train control systems.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4 |
Current locations you get to work in:
Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Rolling stock vehicle body builder/trimmer
Apprentices are trained to use a wide range of welding and fabricating machines, operate industrial sewing machines, drills, saws, etc. and use hand and spray painting equipment.
Your experience will include the maintenance and repair of suburban, intercity, Tangara, XPT, Xplorer/Endeavour and heritage train fleet - windows, seat frames, upholstery, locks, handrails, floor coverings and other equipment that affects our customers' travelling experiences.
You will also be given design and construction experience with private vehicle building companies.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4 |
Current locations you get to work in
Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Rail Overhead Line Worker (Rail Traction)
Overhead line workers construct and maintain high voltage transmission lines and 1500-volt overhead rail-traction wiring and associated equipment.
Apprentices work outdoors and at heights and in all kinds of weather. The work is physically demanding yet rewarding.
Apprentices work with a variety of interesting track machines and lifting equipment.
Due to the nature of the work, you may be called for duty at various times of the day and night, seven days per week as required by RailCorp.
Qualifications and licensing
Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases:
|
Current locations you get to work in
Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Signal electrician
Apprentices learn about the installation and maintenance of:
- electrical and mechanical signalling;
- point machines (electrical, mechanical and electro pneumatic);
- colour light signals (incandescent and light emitting diodes);
- power supplies (conventional and solar);
- track circuits (AC, DC, high voltage and audio frequency);
- control systems (Computerised and Relay); and
- multicore cabling systems.
Training to gain an electrician's licence is also included.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4 |
Current locations you get to work in
Apprentices are also rotated through contractor organisations for further experience. Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Substations distribution
In addition to electrical mechanic training, apprentices undergo instruction to enable them to work in high voltage substations.
The work involves installation and maintenance of electrical equipment in rail substations including rectifiers, transformers, associated control and protective equipment and high and low voltage switchgear of various types.
It also involves installation and maintenance of general lighting and power services together with various types of electrical appliances and includes training to gain an electrician's licence.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4 |
Current locations you get to work in
Apprentices are also rotated through contractor organisations for further experience. Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Plant mechanic
Apprentice plant mechanics learn skills to assist in the maintenance of RailCorp’s heavy on-track machinery including track and point regulators and overhead wiring machines.
They also maintain motorised and mechanised hand tools.
Training includes hydraulics and pneumatics and electronic program logic control principles.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases including: Year 1, 2 & 3 Year 4 |
Current locations you get to work in
Apprentices are also rotated through contractor organisations for further experience. Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Rolling stock fitter mechanic
Apprentices are trained in the maintenance of train pneumatic braking systems, pneumatic doors, direct and hydraulic drive systems and diesel engines for suburban, intercity, Tangara, XPT, Xplorer/Endeavour, Hunter, Millennium and heritage train fleets.
Apprentices are trained to operate lathes, milling machines, drills, grinders, oxy-acetylene cutting equipment and electric welders as well as general hand and power tools and general fitting.
Your experience will also include work with private companies carrying out fitting and machining to gain industry qualifications.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1, 2 & 3 Year 4 |
Current locations you get to work in
Apprentices are also rotated through contractor organisations for further experience. Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Rolling stock electrical
Apprentices are trained in the installation and maintenance of high and low voltage electrical equipment for suburban, intercity, Tangara, XPT, Xplorer/Endeavour, Hunter, Millennium and heritage train fleets.
This equipment includes train operating computer systems, train radios, electric motors, lighting and power circuits, generators, relays, circuit breakers, transformers and associated equipment.
Experience also includes the installation and maintenance of low voltage lighting and power services at our maintenance depots and offices and externally with private electrical contractors.
Training to gain an electrician's licence is also included.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4
|
Current locations you get to work in
Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Fitter machinist
Working in Bathurst workshops on infrastructure wagons and equipment.
Apprentices are trained in the maintenance of train pneumatic braking systems, pneumatic doors, direct and hydraulic drive systems and diesel engines for suburban, intercity, Tangara, XPT, Xplorer/Endeavour, Hunter, Millennium and heritage train fleets.
Apprentices are trained to operate lathes, milling machines, drills, grinders, oxy-acetylene cutting equipment and electric welders as well as general hand and power tools and general fitting.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 & 4 |
Current locations you get to work in
Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
Cable Jointer
Cable Jointers are a branch of the electrical trades with direct non rail equivalents in domestic, commercial and industrial work.
A Cable Jointer is involved in the make and repair of joints in insulated power supply and control cables installed in underground pipes, trenches, and/or overhead supply systems. Cable jointers are responsible for installation and maintenance of underground and overhead electrical cable supplies, sub station builds and the installation of major pieces of equipment and infrastructure.
The specialised work of the cable jointer takes them all over the rail network. The work is physically demanding and rewarding, primarily outdoors and will involve safe working at heights in all kinds of weather at various times of the day and night, seven days per week as required by RailCorp.
Qualifications and licensing
Schedule of training Four year apprenticeship including on and off-the-job phases: Block release training program, over the first two years of the apprenticeship, conducted at ElectroSkills, Rhodes. Rail specific training is provided by qualified tradespeople at various locations. On-the-job training is supported by workgroup mentors and Apprentice Training Unit workplace assessors. |
Current locations you get to work in
Note: Some apprentices may be eligible for additional financial assistance under various government initiatives. For further information visit www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au. |
For more information
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If you have any questions about apprenticeships with RailCorp, please email your enquiry to recruitment@railcorp.nsw.gov.au.