Rail construction is currently on the rise, with the development of new train lines, line extensions, train tunnels, and stations, as well as a range of upgrades, taking place across Australia's train system. With the increase in rail projects across the country, a number of rail job opportunities have been created in order to facilitate the completion of these projects. In order to tap into this fruitful source of employment and land a position, there are some requirements that must be met. The main requirement that rail workers must have, is a RIW Card.
What is a RIW Card?
A National Rail Industry Worker, more commonly known as a RIW Card, is a nationally-recognised proof of competency. A RIW Card allows employers to verify a worker's qualifications, statements of attainment, certificates, licences, and tickets, using the Australian Railway Association's (ARA) database. This is because a RIW Card assigns each worker a unique number that links to their profile on the Onsite Track Easy system. The RIW Card holder's online profile condenses these licences, qualification, and tickets in one convenient place, which helps employers ensure that the worker possesses the necessary qualification to perform the job, and reduces on-site paperwork and red tape.
Therefore, the RIW Card is not a qualification in and of itself, but an ID Card, with the worker's name, their photo, expiry date, and the unique number linked to their account.
Pegasus manages the RIW process, which includes collecting and verifying employee records, and producing, distributing and administering the RIW Card. Pegasus are also able to administer training and inductions.
RIW Cards are mandatory for those working on the Australian rail network, and is valid for 10 years.
If you would like to know how you can apply for a RIW Card, click here.
Where Can I Find A Job in The Rail Industry?
The rail industry has injected thousands of jobs across Australia. The rail jobs available rend to revolve around the construction, operation and maintenance of the new and current train lines.
One of the best avenues to explore for rail work is labour hire. Recruitment for rail work is often outsourced to labour hire agencies, as they specialise in finding workers that are best-suited to the role, and possess specialised skills. Outsourcing is a popular choice for many rail projects, as it allows them to focus more of their time and resources on completing the project by the due date.
Signing up to a labour hire agency is beneficial for labourers, as jobs that match your skills and qualifications are brought directly to you. Labour hire agencies allow you to access a range of rail positions, which can help to increase your chances of staying in constant employment, despite the short-term nature of work in the rail industry.
Also, the flexible work options that labour hire provides can help workers strike a better work-life balance and gain a broad range of work experiences.
Another avenue that is beneficial for workers looking to secure a position in rail construction is the project's official website. Official project websites often have a dedicated jobs board that lists the positions that need to be placed. If there isn't a jobs page on the project's official website, there is usually a link that will direct them to the contractor or labour provider that have been employed to find workers. Checking the project's website and applying there directly may help to improve the visibility of your application, since this is typically the first place employers look for candidates.
Are you looking for a job in rail construction? We have a range of rail positions throughout Australia, so let Workfast Labour Hire help you out! Call 1300 824 403 or sign up online with Workfast Labour Hire today!