Background

G:link, also known as the Gold Coast Light Rail, is a light rail system serving the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. The system forms part of the TransLink's South East Queensland public transport network and consists of a single 20-kilometre line of nineteen stations. Extensions to this network are planned for the coming years.

G:Link is operated by a leading global tram operator, Keolis Downer which also operates Melbourne’s Yarra Trams franchise.

Whilst the network is relatively small, its staff and contractors require a wide range of training. This means that G:link requires access to courseware and flexible delivery methods for a range of rail qualifications and Units of Competency.

G:Link reached out to Thomson Bridge to forge a partnership and ensure all their staff and contractors can stay safe and do their jobs well. 

Our Role

Our Learning and Development specialists met with the training and technical leaders at G:Link to understand the requirements. They identified a broad range of qualifications that underpin G:link's Competency Framework. This included Cert II in Rail Infrastructure, Cert III in Rail Traction and Cert IV in Rail Network Control.

At first, achieving this goal had been challenging. The economies of scale do not add up for a small network operator to be an enterprise RTO, and for the local TAFE, there are not enough enrollments to warrant running these programs on G:link's behalf.

As a specialist in electrical networks, Thomson Bridge was able to join forces with G:link to contribute to their already considerable Subject Matter Expertise. Where they have existing courseware, participants were able to attain national qualifications thanks to an auspicing agreements with Thomson Bridge. In other cases, such as the Cert III in Rail Traction, we were able to enroll the Apprentices to join other students in our existing programs. 

We were also able to host important contractor induction training on our LMS system and lend a hand in developing online assessment tools. 

This is a great example of collaboration to deliver a wide range of vocational training that is ASQA compliant and fit for purpose for this new transport network operator. 

Project Details

• Client: G:link, operated and maintained by Keolis Downer Gold Coast
• Location: Gold Coast, QLD
• Industry: Rail
• Our contribution: Applying a flexible approach to training partnership to meet the needs of a new and growing workforce.
• Outcome: A cost effective approach that draws on the skills of both Thomson Bridge and G:Link to achieve quality training that is ASQA compliant andfit for purpose.

• Resources

  Find out more about Q:link , one of Australia's newest light rail networks.