Job Description

Are you ready to build a career in rail with real hands-on skills — and get paid while you learn?

Downer Rail & Transit Systems (RTS) is looking for six motivated women to join our Women on Track (WoT) 2026 program at our Maintenance Centre in Auburn NSW. You’ll start together as a cohort of six — learning, training and supporting each other over 12 months. This is a paid, full-time traineeship designed for women who want to get into the trades — no prior experience required. If you’re hands-on, curious about how things work, and keen to give it a red-hot go, we want to hear from you.

About the Program

Women on Track is a 12-month fixed-term traineeship combining full-time paid work at our Auburn site with paid online study toward a nationally recognised qualification. You’ll work alongside experienced tradespeople maintaining passenger rail fleets, while a dedicated mentor, buddy and our Pathways Team support you every step of the way.

On successful completion, you’ll hold gain a Certificate II in Electrotechnology (UEE22020) Career Start and have 12 months of industry experience behind you — positioning you to apply for apprenticeships or trades assistant roles with Downer RTS.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive traineeship pay from day one — earn while you learn

• Full-time, on-the-job training at our Auburn facility

• Nationally recognised qualification (Certificate II in Electrotechnology) on completion

• One-on-one mentoring plus a buddy on site

• Wellness check-ins from our Pathways Team

• Clear pathway to apprenticeships and trades assistant roles at RTS

• A built-in network of five other women going through it with you

The Details

Location:Downer RTS, Auburn Maintenance Centre (AMC), NSW

Hours:Monday to Friday, 6:00am – 1:36pm (fixed — so you can plan around it)

Study:Online TAFE alongside your work – provided with all the tools to complete

Start date:June 2026

Term:12 months - fixed-term

Getting there:On-site parking available; Auburn/Clyde station is a short distance from the facility

Who We’re Looking For

You don’t need trade experience — you need the right attitude. We’re looking for women who are:

• Reliable, punctual and ready to commit to a full-time schedule

• Genuinely interested in hands-on, practical work

• Willing to learn, ask questions and take feedback on board

• Able to commit to both the on-site work and online TAFE study

• Comfortable working in a workshop environment

• Australian citizens or permanent residents with the right to work in Australia

Why Downer RTS?

We maintain the trains that keep Sydney moving. It’s meaningful work, and we’re serious about building a workforce that reflects the community we serve. The Women on Track program exists because we know there are women out there with the talent and drive for trade careers — and we want to open the door.

How to Apply

Submit your application with a short cover letter telling us a bit about yourself and why you’re interested in the program, along with your resume. No trade experience? No problem — tell us about your work history, life experience, or anything that shows you’re ready to take this on.

This opportunity is open to women only. Downer RTS is committed to increasing women’s participation in trade-based roles. This recruitment is conducted under the special measures provisions of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and section 7D of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), which permit measures designed to achieve substantive gender equality.

Downer is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and women with disability.