NSW Department of Education
The New South Wales train manufacturing sector requires a strategic workforce development plan to meet the local content and capability goals of the Future Fleet Program, ensuring industry sustainability and growth from the 2020s to the 2050s.
SGS Economics and Planning, in collaboration with our sub-consultant Professor Roy Green at the University of Technology Sydney, was tasked by the NSW Department of Education to prepare this plan. Working closely with Transport for NSW, the Office of Regional Economic Development, and TAFE NSW, we aimed to identify existing hubs of train manufacturing expertise, opportunities for enhanced activity in NSW, and the workforce constraints impacting industry expansion. A key policy priority was ensuring the sector had the necessary workforce to deliver the Future Fleet Program, which involves a substantial renewal and replacement of the NSW passenger rail fleet with a strong focus on local content and capability development.
Our approach involved a mix of methods. We began by analysing economic, policy, and spatial data to understand the current state of the NSW train manufacturing industry, its supply chain, and the broader economic and policy context. This analysis informed the development and distribution of a detailed survey to manufacturers in a NSW government database. The survey explored their business characteristics, current and projected workforce needs for the Future Fleet Program, workforce challenges, and required government support. In addition, SGS conducted interviews with 15 key stakeholders in the rail manufacturing sector, including representatives from businesses, government bodies, and labour organisations.
Using this information, SGS analysed the competitive strengths of the NSW train manufacturing industry, its current and future workforce requirements, and its ability to deliver the Future Fleet Program. Based on this analysis, we provided recommendations for action to the NSW government, industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and federal partners to support industry growth and ensure successful program delivery.
