ECU Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara Jodie Hanns MLA, Rio Tinto MD for Rail & Ports Richard Cohen, ECU Executive Dean, School of Engineering Professor Paulo de Souza, and ARA Chairperson Lucio de Bartolomeo
Edith Cowan University (ECU) will become the first Western Australian university to offer dedicated rail-based units across its Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering undergraduate programs.
Developed in partnership with the Australian Railway Association (ARA), ECU will launch three new units to provide students with specialised knowledge and practical insights into railway systems, positioning graduates at the forefront of transport infrastructure development both in Western Australia and nationally.
Rio Tinto, the Public Transport Authority of WA and ARC Infrastructure also supported the development of the units to ensure their relevance to the wider rail industry in WA and nationally.
"The introduction of these rail-focused units at Edith Cowan University marks a significant step forward in aligning our engineering programs with the future needs of Australia's infrastructure sector," ECU School of Engineering, Executive Dean Professor Paulo de Souza said.
The first of the three units, Railway Design, Construction and Maintenance will commence during the second semester of 2025, followed by Railway System Mechanics and Railway Electrical, Control and Signalling Systems.
These three rail engineering units provide comprehensive foundational knowledge across the mechanical, civil, and electrical disciplines essential to the railway industry. The civil engineering unit addresses track design, railway bridge and tunnel construction, track maintenance, and emergency recovery, while the mechanical-focused unit covers rolling stock design and analysis, wheel-rail interface, transmission and braking systems, track assessment and defect management.
Meanwhile, the electrical engineering unit explores signalling, operational telecommunications, train control systems, overhead line equipment, and power systems for both trains and tracks, alongside key technical and operational considerations such as safety and information security.
Together, these units equip students with a broad and integrated understanding of railway engineering critical to the industry.
Professor Paulo de Souza said the strategic collaboration with the ARA reflected ECU's commitment to industry-aligned education and addresses the growing demand for skilled professionals in Australia's expanding rail sector.
"Rail is a critical component of sustainable transport, and by embedding specialised content into our Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering degrees, we're equipping our students with the skills and industry relevance needed to drive innovation and meet workforce demands," he said.
"This partnership with the ARA ensures our graduates are not only job-ready but also prepared to lead in one of the country's most vital and rapidly evolving industries."
ARA Chief Executive Caroline Wilkie said the new courses will prepare the future workforce and support critical national initiatives.
She recognised Rio Tinto, ARC Infrastructure and the Public Transport Authority of WA for their commitment to working with ECU to build these new units.
"Rail generates 165,000 jobs across Australia and offers exciting careers on rail projects and networks, both here and overseas," Ms Wilkie said.
"The rail industry has suffered from persistent skills shortages in critical roles such as engineering and is facing a retirement cliff by 2035. However, despite the significant demand for new talent, very few dedicated learning pathways into the industry exist across the country.
"These rail units provide a clear pathway to help more students consider a rewarding career in rail.
"The ARA is delighted to partner with Edith Cowan University on this leading initiative to ensure WA is ready to meet growing transport infrastructure workforce demand in the years ahead."
