The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) is reviewing Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) to ensure that the structure and membership of each IRC provides the best possible industry coverage and expertise to support training package development for each industry sector.
The Rail IRC is responsible for the rail-specific components of the TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package, specifically 26 qualifications, 245 units of competency and 53 skills sets which cover Rail Infrastructure, Light Rail, Tram and Train Driving, Rail Operations Management, Signaling and Safety Management.
NB: The Transport and Logistics IRC is responsible for all remaining components of the TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package.
The proposed structure for the Rail IRC is now open for public comment and consultation – see below. At this stage, industry stakeholders are being asked to comment on the proposed structure to ensure it is representative of the industry and sectors. Once the structure has been agreed, the AISC will call for nominations against the vacant positions. For more information about the review process see the IRC Review Page.
In your response, some factors you may want to consider and comment on include:
- the industry coverage the proposed structure would provide – are there any gaps in the proposed structure?
- the balance of representation between the sub-sectors, and whether there are any key stakeholders in this sector who are not represented
- the proposed committee size – is the committee the most appropriate size to represent your industry?
Industry stakeholders should note that membership of the IRC is not the only avenue for raising their views. Members of the Rail IRC will be responsible for ensuring, with the support of the skills service organisation (Australian Industry Standards) that the appropriate industry stakeholders are given opportunities to provide input into the training product development process. Technical Advisory Committees will support the IRC on an as-needs basis. It is also proposed that relevant Industry Growth Centres and State Industry Training Authorities are able to participate as guests, and Registered Training Organisation expertise will be sought during training package development work as required.
If you have any comments or suggestions on the proposed structure below, please complete the AISC feedback form by COB Thursday 16 February 2017.
Proposed Rail IRC structure
| Representation | # of positions |
Organisation
|
Comments/rationale | |
| Peak/Advisory | 2 | Australasian Railways Association (ARA) | Peak body for the Australian rail industry, representing an array of rail organisations: private and public, passenger and freight operators, track owners and managers, manufacturers of rolling stock, construction companies and all other organisations supplying and contributing to the Australian rail sector. | |
| Rail Industry Safety And Standards Board (RIISB) | The Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB) is responsible for the development and management of rail industry standards, rules, codes of practice and guidelines, all of which have national application. Funding for the purpose of RISSB’s Australian Code of Practice (ACOP) activities is provided on a 50/50 basis between industry and government. This arrangement is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding between RISSB and the Governments of Australia, comprising the Commonwealth and the States and Territories. | |||
| Employer/ Enterprise | 1 | Australian Rail Track Corporation | Manages and maintains a rail network of 8,500 km across five states, on behalf of the NSW, WA, SA, VIC and QLD governments. | |
| 9 | A call for nominations will be made at a later date once the structure is agreed |
Nine (9) positions, open to nomination, for employers or enterprises (including government) who will bring expertise in Australia’s rail operations and access to their networks in the rail sector.
The following sectors will need to be represented:
|
||
| Employee Association | 1 | Rail, Tram and Bus Union Australia (RTBU) | The RTBU covers all employees in the rail, tram and bus industries and will provide employee perspectives and expertise. | |
| Regulator | 1 | Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator | Independent body corporate established under the Rail Safety National Law Act 2012. Responsible for regulatory oversight of rail safety law in all jurisdictions except Queensland. | |
| TOTAL | 14 | |||