200 new train drivers poised to be graduated in next three years in Western Australia.

June 15,2022 (Pilbara, Western Australia)

Western Australia is facing severe rail skill shortage and government is yet to address this critical skill shortage issue.

Realising this issue in advance Mining Giant has taken the bold decision to set up own rail academy to address this issue.

Decision was made last year and the  first batch of 60 new graduates are ready  by now and the academy welcomed the first recruits August last year.

BHP Billiton  is investing $20 million AUD in the academy program.

BHP WA Iron Ore Asset President Brandon Craig said: “We are excited to see the first round of recruits coming through BHP’s Pilbara Rail Academy and joining our high calibre rail team in Western Australia.
“Through our $20 million investment in the academy, we hope to ease the squeeze of rail driver availability in WA and create new pathways for people to join our team and pursue a rewarding career in mining.
We can make our business and the mining sector more resilient, create training and job opportunities in regional WA, and continue to deliver value to communities and the economy.”  
More than 70 per cent of the 60 trainee drivers are women and about 20 per cent are indigenous, as BHP works to increase diversity and strengthen the capability of its workforce.  
The academy recruits have a range of life skills and experiences, including former Uber drivers, ex-military personnel and mums looking for a career change after raising children. 
After undergoing a 10-month intensive program at BHP’s Port Hedland and Newman operations, the graduates will receive nationally recognised qualifications in a Certificate IV Train Driving. 
They will join BHP’s experienced team of drivers responsible for operating the company’s WA iron ore train fleet of more than 180 locomotives, which deliver ore across more than 1000 kilometres of track from its Pilbara mines to Port Hedland for export. 
A fully laden BHP WA iron ore train typically comprises four diesel-electric locomotives pulling approximately 270 cars carrying 40,000 tons of iron ore and can be up to two kilometres long.

 By doing so BHP has proven their social responsibility, RailFactor wish this academy will grow into multi-disciplinary skill set development academy  including track ,signalling, communication,maintenance of the infrastructure.

Source :BHP, Western Australia