People

Downer Rail apprentices

Downer’s Rail business commenced offering apprenticeships for both mechanical and electrical streams in 2015.

Through our partnerships with some of the world’s leading technology companies, Downer provides apprentices with the opportunity to contribute to a complete range of rail solutions in rolling stock and infrastructure, technology and process-led innovation and maintenance solutions.

  • Downer has a world’s best practice approach for our apprenticeships and won the ‘best practice’ award in the 2017 Hunter manufacturing awards for excellence in people and skills development.
  • Downer’s Rail business achieved a 93 per cent apprentice completion rate in 2016 and 100 per cent completion rate in 2017, compared to the Australian VET national average completion rate of 49 per cent.
  • In mid-2018 Downer will be managing 78 rail apprentices nationally, including seven female and three Indigenous apprentices.

This initiative demonstrates Downer's contribution to achieve the following Sustainable Development Goals: