As rail networks expand and investment increases across Africa, demand for specialised rail skills will continue, including traditional technical roles, such as artisans, fitters, technicians and engineers, as well as emerging skills linked to digitalisation, automation and advanced maintenance, says rail solutions company Traxtion.

“As the sector enters a period of renewal and growth, developing the next generation of rail professionals will be essential to ensuring that Africa can support its rail ambitions,” Traxtion brand, communications and marketing manager Nnoni Mohlaphuli states.

As such, Traxtion will continue its investment in the development of future rail professionals through structured training programmes and apprenticeships designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical workplace experience.

One such programme is the company’s accredited training programme at the Rosslyn Rail Services Hub, in Pretoria, which focuses on developing the technical capabilities required to support modern rail operations such as locomotive maintenance, safety systems and operational excellence.

“Our programmes combine classroom-based learning with hands-on exposure to real rail environments, ensuring [that] learners develop practical skills that are aligned to industry requirements,” Mohlaphuli explains.

Hands-on training is central to the company’s apprenticeship programme, which is intentionally designed to combine structured theoretical learning, practical workplace experience and face-to-face mentorship, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is reinforced by real-world application.

Through this approach, Traxtion enables apprentices to apply their newly acquired knowledge directly in its workshops and operational environments under the guidance and supervision of experienced mentors.

This, Mohlaphuli notes, creates immediate skills transfer, enabling learners to build confidence, strengthen their technical abilities and develop a strong understanding of safety, maintenance and operational best practices in an actual environment.

Consequently, Traxtion is developing “work-ready artisans and technicians” equipped with the requisite skills to support “reliable, safe and efficient” rail operations while helping to address the industry's long-term skills shortage.

“While developing rail professionals is essential, these skills can be sustained only when there are opportunities to apply them,” Mohlaphuli highlights.

Therefore, the company actively supports localisation, and rail activity, by identifying and partnering with emerging South African rail suppliers, creating opportunities for local businesses to participate in the rail value chain.

Moreover, by intentionally sourcing from and working alongside local suppliers, Traxtion helps to ensure that specialised rail skills remain in South Africa.
“This approach strengthens local capability while supporting job creation, enterprise development and a more resilient rail sector.”

It also delivers lasting socioeconomic benefits by building a stronger local supply chain while supporting the South African rail industry’s continued growth, Mohlaphuli adds.

Encouraging Participation

The creation of a more inclusive rail industry is fundamental to building a sustainable workforce, Mohlaphuli states.

Having recognised that women remain significantly underrepresented in technical and engineering roles, Traxtion adopted a deliberate, long-term approach to improving representation across the business and the wider rail sector through targeted awareness, education and skills development initiatives.

“This journey begins with early career exposure through the yearly Future of Rail is Women campaign, which introduces schoolgirls to the diverse career opportunities available in the industry and challenges long-standing perceptions that rail is a male-only profession,” she highlights.

Building on this, the Traxtion Shadow a Woman in Rail programme provides first-hand experience for learners by pairing them with female professionals across technical, engineering and corporate functions, consequently helping them to visualise themselves in the careers.

The company has invested in creating pathways into the industry through the TraxWAGON bursary fund, which supports young women pursuing technical and engineering qualifications, while its apprenticeship programme aims to increase female participation in artisan training.

It has also recently celebrated the qualification of its first female artisan in more than a decade and continues to grow female representation in every new intake of apprentices.

“Together, these initiatives form building blocks that create awareness, remove barriers to entry and develop a stronger pipeline of female talent, helping shape a more representative and resilient future for . . . Traxtion and South Africa’s rail industry,” Mohlaphuli concludes.