RTSA Meet the Railway People Expo

The inaugural RTSA “Meet the Railway People Expo” was held successfully on Saturday 12 September 2009 at the Park Hyatt hotel. More than 90 industry participants, including the CEO of Metro Trains Melbourne (MTM), the new franchisee appointed to operate and maintain the Melbourne train network, took part in this half day event. The attendance of Engineers Australia National President, Peter Godfrey; Madeleine McManus (State President - Victoria Division) and Glenda Graham (Executive Director - Victoria Division) at the Expo provided due recognition for this important RTSA initiative.

Although the participation of 30 railway organisations well represented the railway industry, it was noted that the rollingstock and signalling sections of the industry were under represented. The 22 railway organisations who had display booths created a buzz which accurately reflected the excitement and positive atmosphere that currently prevails within the industry. 

There were 120 university representatives at the Expo from eight universities namely; Deakin, Melbourne, Monash, La Trobe, RMIT, QUT, Southern Cross and Swinburne. Even though most of the university participants were undergraduate students (from years 1 to 4), there were several postgraduate students. Additionally, academic and research staff attended the event to explore partnership opportunities which, in the long run, would benefit both the industry and the universities.

Students who attended the Expo were grateful to the RTSA for organising such an event and many of them indicated that rail was never on their radar as a potential career. They also have expressed the view that the Expo has given them a good impression about the industry.

The Secretary of the Victorian Government Department of Transport, Jim Betts, took part and made a brief presentation during the formal part of the Expo, outlining current railway projects and future railway activities planned in Victoria. Following that, three young engineers; Will Street (GHD), Mina Hanna (Institute of Railway Technology) and Adam Morris (John Holland) shared their experiences within the railway industry during their relatively short careers. These presentations and the style of delivery by the young presenters were very well received among the students who participated in the Expo.

During the Expo, the message was emphasised that the railway industry has a bright future and that there is a strong demand for a large number of highly skilled engineering people to support future initiatives. The railway industry was portrayed also as being a close-knit community having great working relationships among the participants within its ranks. These positive messages must have made an impression on the students who flocked to the RTSA stand, several of whom showed a gratifying interest in becoming members.

The communication channels that have been created as a result of the Expo could prove to be of extraordinary value to the railway industry and there is a clear indication that the efforts of RTSA in organising the event were perceived to be well thought out and pointing in the right direction.

The Department of Transport Victoria, which sponsored the Expo, is thanked for its generous and very welcome support of this worthwhile and successful initiative.