John’s journey from Rail Worker to Trainer: Teaching tomorrow’s rail leaders

After decades of keeping Victoria’s rail system moving safely and efficiently, many rail professionals step into retirement with deep knowledge and skills that still matter.

MCIE is seeking experienced rail workers who want to stay connected to the industry in a meaningful way by guiding the next generation through a pre-vocational rail fundamentals program for school students.

1. What first motivated you to work in the rail industry, and what still excites you about it today? 

As a school leaver in the 70’s the Victorian Railways was an industry with prospects of a career for life. Today the rail industry within Australia is an ever-changing industry with technology advancements.

2. When you look back over your career, what rail moments or milestones are you most proud of?

There are too many to try and write down and even remember. There are two notable, once the first would be finishing my apprenticeship as an Electrical Fitter Signal Maintenance knowing that there is still a lot of life studies ahead. The second would be when my first class of Signalling Apprentices graduated to begin their lifelong experiences, most have gone on to bigger and better things.

3. What do young people not yet know about rail that you wish they could see?
(For example, the variety of roles, the culture, the opportunities, the technology.)

Today there is such a variety of employment opportunities within the Rail Industry that can set someone up for local or interstate or even international employment. The technology is changing with the introduction of CBTC within Victoria, passenger station information systems, advanced track improvements for high-speed trains, there are a whole lot more which are constantly changing.

4. Why do you believe rail is still a great future career pathway for young people in Victoria?

The industry is continually changing with technological advances and well trained and qualified staff in high demand to take the industry into the next decade.

5. What strengths do retired or retiring rail workers bring to the classroom that make them excellent trainers?

It does not matter what part of the Rail Industry you come from whether it be Tram or Train, Track or Civil, Passenger information or any other, you are passing on the experience your experience to the next generation of Rail Industry personal this can make you a suitable trainer.

You can assist in the development of a person’s career of hopefully a lifelong experience.

6. What would you say to someone who has finished up their rail career and is considering “what next”?

You have a work life and personal experience that could assist one younger person to take a path or career that they never knew existed. It’s the passing on of one’s life’s knowledge to someone who benefit. 

7. Why does teaching and guiding a VETDSS class have value for you personally?

To me it has meant several things, the first is that it has got me thinking about what I can pass on these possibly future rail employees. They keep my mind active. Getting me thinking of things for them to see and do within the training structure. Another important item is to help them develop and grow.

8. In your experience, what impact can one trainer have on a young person’s direction and confidence?

It is so easy these days to dishearten a young person’s ideological ideas with one statement. It is the way in which you present yourself and the material can build a student’s confidence, that yes, they can do this. It maybe be a long journey, but it could all start with what you say or do to point them in the right direction. 

9. How does this program help students decide if rail is the right career pathway for them?

The idea of this program is showing the students a variety of paths that they can take within the industry. To give exposure to life within the Rail Industry by visitations, I have known students who have come into the program with one thing in mind ‘To drive trains’ but only to change because of what they have seen.

10. What kind of support and resources does MCIE provide to trainers delivering this program?

To me as a trainer MCIE have given me the opportunity and flexibility to conduct the program as I believe it should be as the industry skilled person.

Also, MCIE supply the administrative and reporting support I needed without having to considerate on them. 

11. What does a “typical Thursday” look like when you are teaching this program to school students?

Before class begins, there are the necessary administrative and preparation items to contend with. At 11:00 the students start arriving like most things some students are late, we do the main task of the attendance sheet. I would then outline what the day looks like maybe checking for any Learners Workbooks or Field Assessments to be handed in for review. 

Continuing there may be a Presentation or a video relating to the subject to view, otherwise the students will continue with their Learners Workbooks using their Learners Guide for reference. With a short break for lunch and then continuing to finish at 3:00pm. 

My part of the days is not over yet; you need to complete the admin and reporting tasks long at the schedule and possible order material also plan the next session. 

I am not really a trainer, well yes, I am, but mostly you are a facilitator in pointing these students towards their future.  

12. What is something a new trainer would be pleasantly surprised by when they first step into the classroom?

The thing I was surprised with was the composition of the class, you had your students that new a lot about the different types Rolling Stock (Trams, Trains and Historical) the schedules of the different Rolling Stock, some have Websites, Instagram pages etc (they knew more about the internet than I could even think of), other students knew very little about the system other than catching a Tram or Train to school or somewhere else. 

You had some students that where only in it for the ride, but they where soon found out, but I still had to strive to get them involved which is hard, but you do the best you can. 

13. What advice would you give to a retired rail professional who is thinking “I am not sure I am qualified to teach”?

Not all people can do this job you need to be willing to learn yourself and lessen the students and, in some cases, let them lead you. But in the end be able direct them the way they need to go. 

It does not matter what background you had or structure level you where at it is the love of the industry Tram or Train and the next generation.

14. What has been the most rewarding moment for you teaching this program so far?

That is simple to see the students walk out with the knowledge to lead them into the next stage of their life and career. Also knowing that I have hopefully left the industry in a better position.  

15. If you could leave students with one message about the rail industry, what would it be?

Follow your instincts let the industry and world assist you in your career and go further as you are entering a new era in the Tram and Train industry. 

Rail is a proud industry. It is built on people with real skill, care, and an absolute commitment to safety.

By stepping into a trainer role, experienced rail workers can continue this legacy.