Sydney Trains has welcomed one of its largest intakes of female apprentices as it opens a new training facility designed to help build the next generation of rail workers.
The 2026 intake of female apprentices has increased by 50 per cent compared to last year, with women now making up 11.1 per cent of Sydney Trains’ apprentice workforce, 3.2 percentage points above the national average for male-dominated trades.
Of Sydney Trains’ 270 apprentices, 30 are women, up from 20 in 2025, reflecting ongoing efforts to attract more women into engineering, maintenance and trade careers.
The announcement coincides with the opening of the new Skills Development Centre at the Auburn Heavy Maintenance Centre, which provides first-year rollingstock apprentices with a dedicated environment to develop practical trade skills before entering operational depots.
The facility delivers up to 380 hours of hands-on training during an apprentice’s first year, more than double the practical experience typically offered through a standard apprenticeship.
Apprentices receive training in fabrication, welding, machining, wiring, bench work and precision tooling, while also gaining experience with emerging technologies including 3D printing and scanning to support modern rail manufacturing and maintenance.
First-year apprentices rotate between the new centre and Auburn’s maintenance workshops, where they work on projects such as the XPT Life Extension Program under supervision.
A dedicated electrical training area also allows senior apprentices to prepare for qualification exams in a controlled environment.
Since 2022, more than 93 per cent of women completing Sydney Trains apprenticeships have secured ongoing employment with the organisation.
NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham, said the investment would help build the skilled workforce needed to support the state’s growing rail network.
“By investing in world-class practical training and supporting more women into trades, we’re building the skilled workforce NSW needs to maintain, renew and manufacture the rail assets that keep our state moving,” Graham said.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said the new facility represented a significant investment in the future of the state’s rail workforce.
“We’re seeing record numbers of women choosing trade careers with Sydney Trains, and we’re committed to supporting that growth to encourage the trend across the board,” Whan said.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive, Matt Longland, said the new centre would give apprentices greater practical experience before they entered the workplace.
“This facility gives apprentices significantly more hands-on training than they would normally receive, setting them up for long-term success,” he said.
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