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The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to cultivating a skilled and innovative workforce for the future of rail, as part of its strategy to attract young talent to the rapidly evolving industry.
On October 14, PRASA hosted its first-ever career day at its Johannesburg headquarters, where Group Chief Executive Officer Hishaam Emeran addressed around 70 learners from Mamelodi, Soshanguve, Lyttelton, Soweto, Tembisa, and Kempton Park. The event aimed to empower and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in the rail sector.
Emeran highlighted PRASA’s ongoing efforts to rebuild the country’s passenger rail system, emphasizing the need for new skills and innovation to drive the agency forward. “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,” he told the learners.
He also provided insights into the agency’s dual mandates of providing transport services and generating revenue through assets like key stations, as well as updates on milestones such as the rollout of new trains and the development of student accommodation at Cape Town Station.
PRASA’s Chief Engineer of Signals and Telecommunications, Pabalelo Nkwe, shared his career journey and the diverse opportunities within PRASA TECH. He encouraged learners to consider careers in various engineering disciplines, including civil, mechanical, electro-mechanical, mechatronics, and electrical engineering, which are crucial for the maintenance and development of rail infrastructure.
The career day concluded with a visit to the Gibela manufacturing plant, where PRASA’s new blue and white modern trains, known as Isitimela Sabantu, are being produced. Learners toured the facility and saw the production process firsthand, learning that 245 of the 600 trains ordered by PRASA have been manufactured to date.
The event sparked excitement among the learners, offering a glimpse into the future of South Africa’s rail industry and the potential career paths it holds.
