The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has asserted that it remains committed to fostering a skilled and innovative workforce to drive the future of rail.
As one of the strategies that it is implementing to attract a skilled workforce for the future of rail, the agency is engaging young learners, with the intention to empower and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in the rapidly evolving industry.
On Monday, the agency’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Hishaam Emeran addressed about 70 learners from Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Lyttelton, Soweto, Tembisa, and Kempton Park at PRASA’s first ever career day held its headquarters in Johannesburg.
Emeran encouraged learners to consider a career in rail as the agency needs a new generation of leaders.
“PRASA is turning around, and we need a new generation of leaders. There is a future for you at PRASA, and the PRASA of the future will need new skills, new innovation, and you are the generation that can drive that innovation,” Emeran said on Monday.
Emeran, who has an engineering background reaffirmed the agency’s commitment and aspirations to restore and revitalise passenger rail as the backbone of South Africa’s public transport.
During his address he provided an overview of what the agency does under its two primary mandates – providing transport services and generating additional revenue from its assets such as key stations.
He also shared PRASA’s ongoing rail rebuilding milestones, including the rollout of world-class trains across the country and the development of student accommodation at Cape Town Station, which are positively impacting communities.
“Working for PRASA or a state-owned entity is a noble profession. You are changing the lives of millions of people. One day, you could be in my position, addressing learners like yourselves,” Emeran said.
PRASA’s Chief Engineer of Signals and Telecommunications Pabalelo Nkwe shared his personal journey and insights into the diverse career options within PRASA TECH.
“You can pursue a career in civil engineering to become a Perway Engineer with key focus on maintenance and engineering works for bridges; structures and railway tracks, mechanical engineering, electro-mechanical and mechatronics if you are interested in maintenance and engineering of the rolling stock/trains, or electrical engineering (Heavy Current) to become an Overhead Traction Equipment (OHTE) or substation engineering specialist or like me, pursue a career in Electrical Engineering (Light Current) and specialise in Railway Signalling and Telecommunications,” Nkwe said.
The event concluded with a trip to the Gibela manufacturing plant where PRASA’s new blue and white modern trains – Isitimela Sabantu – are manufactured.
The Gibela team explained that it is manufacturing 600 trains for PRASA and 245 of these trains have been manufactured. Learners were given a tour of the facility and a first-hand look at the production process, sparking great excitement and interest.
Soweto Sunrise News
