Cadet Program

PWI Cadet Program ‘in memory of Don Hagarty’.

The PWINSW Cadet Program commenced in 2021 with the aim of providing Permanent Way related track and electrical career opportunities for a small number of engineering students entering university. The Program provides an opportunity for students commencing a university engineering degree to fast-track Permanent Way skills development through targeted placements within a diverse range of rail organisations.

Different to most intern programs, the PWINSW Cadet Program provides support to students commencing 1^st year university through to the end of their 3^rd year. By the end of the participating student’s 3^rd year at university, our intention is that the Cadets have had exposure to design, construction, operations and maintenance through summer intern positions at supporting organisations as well as having completed a Certificate II in Railway Infrastructure.

As an incentive to attract and retain students through the program, the PWINSW has provided some financial contribution to the Cadets to offset the cost of university related study costs.

Currently we are sponsoring 4 Cadets who are at various staged through the Program, with 3 students having recently completed their third summer vacation work experience placement as well as completing the Core Units of a Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure, being organised by PWINSW. The 4 current Cadets are provided financial support by the PWINSW up to a maximum of $10,000pa to go towards costs associated with their university studies. The PWI also provides mentoring, placement with PWI Corporate Member organisations and networking opportunities. Cadets have attended a range of PWINSW events and are now becoming involved in assisting on PWI Sub Committees.

As part of the Cadet Program the PWI facilitates industry placements, which are notionally 12 weeks in duration aligned with the summer university breaks. The industry placements are designed to ensure each Cadet achieves a desirable level of technical competence within a Permanent Way related field during their Cadetship.

A key benefit of the PWINSW being involved is the ability to mentor Cadets from within our Member base as well as the ability to facilitate appropriate industry experience through support of our Corporate Members.

The PWINSW Committee is a volunteer organisation and commenced the Cadet Program with the intention of bridging a gap in the industry, particularly at the school leaver level. A successful Cadet Program existed within State Rail for many years through the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Many senior professionals across the Australian rail industry benefited from Cadet Programs, which at the time addressed skills shortages and provided similar opportunities the PWINSW are currently targeting.

The PWI Cadet Program recognised the contribution of Don Hagarty in the branding of the PWI Cadet Program ‘in memory of Don Hagarty’. Don was lifelong servant of the rail industry in NSW and held various senior roles in the NSW Government Railways throughout his career. Don along with Ken Swan were instrumental in setting up the Permanent Way Institution – NSW Branch in NSW in 1974. Don was heavily involved in the NSW Railways Cadet Program throughout his career, and so the PWI Cadet Sub Committee believed it was appropriate to respect his recent passing through association of Don with the PWI Cadet Program.

The Benefits of the PWINSW Cadet Program

The benefits of the existing PWINSW Cadet Program are wide ranging. At the direct level, the program provides an opportunity for university students who are just starting their studies to be mentored through intern positions whilst building Perway skills through the Certificate 2 in Rail Infrastructure. Our current cadets have had the opportunity to build their networks whilst being involved in PWINSW technical and networking events and working for Partners such as John Holland, SMEC, Acciona and West Coast Wilderness Railway Tasmania. The Cadets are also well advanced through their Cert 2 with the assistance of Southern Cross Rail Training (SCRT). These Cadets were initially selected through an application and shortlisting process with applicants sought directly through high schools. It is likely we are seeing the next generation of leaders in the rail industry come through the PWINSW Cadet program.

Our Partners benefit from greater exposure at the PWINSW technical and networking events. Partners have also attended Cadet functions and continue to benefit through the work delivered by these high calibre young professionals, who were selected and continued to be mentored by PWINSW volunteers.

The wider rail industry benefits through additional skilled young professionals entering the industry already having well developed relationships and a broad level of experience.

PWINSW Cadets: (from Left) Dan Morrissey, Liam Clowes, Natasha Graf and Declan McLerie at the PWINSW Cadet Dinner in November 2023

PWINSW Cadet Liam Clowes at the West Coast Wilderness Railway Depot January 2024

A note of thanks goes out to the Pwi corporate members for supporting the Cadet program. Corporate members have various internal programs supporting staff who are entering the industry however through their sponsorship of the Pwi, they are are also contributing to the development of these cadets, which is greatly appreciated.

The Pwi is currently working with major Network managers on an expansion of the program.

PWI Cadets

Daniel Morrissey

Daniel commenced as a PWI Cadet in July 2021, whilst commending 1^st Year Civil Engineering at the University of Newcastle. Daniel is currently in fourth year and employed by SMEC in their Newcastle engineering office. Daniel completed his Certificate 2 in Rail Infrastructure in July this year after completion of the practical units at the SCRT training facility at Unanderra. Whilst employed by SMEC, Daniel has been provided many great consulting projects to work on including the Cowra Lines Concept Design. Daniel is a Newcastle local and a fine rugby union player.

Natasha Graf

Natasha commenced as a PWI Cadet in 2021 whilst midway through her Bachelor of Engineering Honors degree. Natasha has since graduated from Swinburne University. Natasha has been working for Acciona and recently was in the team delivering the Murray basin rail upgrade project

Declan Mclerie

Declan also commence the program in 2021 as a first year electrical engineer student UTS Sydney. Through school, Declan spent much of his time playing high-level cricket and working as a volunteer, particularly for the Rural Fire Service which he still supports. Declan has been working for John Holland and most recently has been part of the team delivering the Wolli Creek substation project. Declan also coordinates the PWI Electrical subcommittee.

Liam Clowes

Liam commenced the cadet program in July 2023 whilst studying a Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Newcastle. Liam was provided a fantastic opportunity to work at the West Coast Wilderness Railways in remote Tasmania during his summer vacation at the end of 2023. His work experience included directly carrying out track maintenance and upgrades with the team along with supporting the senior staff in track and structures inspections. Liam has also since completed his Certificate 2 in Rail Infrastructure.

A big thanks to the PWI Corporate members for their support of the program, companies who have directly employed the cadets, Southern Cross Rail Training for delivering the Cert 2 and the Cadet Mentors including Mike Hickey and John Paff.

We look forward to providing details about the expansion of the program within major Network Managers over the coming months.