Business

Transnet Freight Rail builds capacity with GCU Railway Operations Management programme

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is working in partnership with The University of Johannesburg and the Institution of Railway Operators to deliver a BSc in Railway Operations Management by Learning Contract to South Africa’s largest freight rail organisation, Transnet Freight Rail.

The programme was designed by GCU’s Scottish Centre for Work Based Learning in partnership with the Institution of Railway Operators and has involved over 300 UK participants. The programme is now being rolled out in South Africa in partnership with the University of Johannesburg.

Through a distance learning model, the programme will be delivered to over 150 Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) staff. Transnet participants will also become members of the UK Institution of Railway Operators, the organisation of choice for those seeking to develop their career within the rail sector.

Transnet Freight Rail is the largest division of Transnet, with approximately 25,000 employees throughout the country. It is a world class heavy haul freight rail company that specialises in the transportation of freight.

The Railway Operations Management programme launch comes at time of a commitment by the Transnet Group to invest R300bn over the next seven years in strategic rail and ports infrastructure to support South African economic growth.

GCU Principal and Vice-Chancellor Pamela Gillies said: “Glasgow Caledonian University is an international university with strong access and international missions. This focused knowledge and capacity building programme is a wonderful illustration of that agenda and an opportunity for us to learn from our South African partners.”