The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has released a new strategy to help young leaders in the industry have a say in key issues like workforce gaps and diversity.
The ARA Young Leaders Advisory Board (Y-LAB) comprises eight members from leading public and private rail organisations in various roles including engineering, operations, governance and HR.
ARA CEO, Caroline Wilkie, said that the Y-LAB strategy will enable the views of emerging talent to be reflected in the association’s projects and priorities aimed at supporting a thriving rail industry.
“The Y-LAB is the voice of young rail professionals, who are the future of rail, and provides invaluable insights into key industry issues and strategies to support a sustainable, productive and efficient rail industry,” Ms Wilkie said.
“The ARA is working with industry on several significant initiatives, including addressing the skills gap and increasing diversity, and the Y-LAB plays an important role in future-proofing the rail industry.”
The purpose of the Y-LAB is to formally engage the younger generation of the Australasian rail industry on industry issues and provide a voice for and be a champion of the younger demographic.
The Y-LAB also aims to foster connections for young people in rail and hold several networking events each year.
Y-LAB Board Member, Samiha Najem, said the Y-LAB also supports professional development, with a particular focus on improving diversity and promoting rail to school leavers and university and TAFE students.
“The Y-LAB provides an invaluable opportunity to ensure the ideas and views of the future generation of rail are heard and considered,” Ms Najem said.
“Its members are wonderful examples to the future generation of school leavers and university and TAFE students of the many rich and rewarding careers that rail has to offer.”
