CHANGES in Western Australian rail legislation has seen WATCO WA Rail partner up with Centre for Excellence in Rail Training (CERT) to deliver current qualifications to their rail driving team.
Among the first people to attain the new qualifications are Fleur Robertson-Crewe and Mark Tyron.
Both earned a Certificate IV in Train Driving and a Certificate IV in Transport and Logistics (Rail Operation).
There are another 54 train drivers from the Northam depot yet to go through the process.
CERT national manager Mark Haigh was in Northam last Friday to present the pair with their certificates.
"There are 29 specific skills employees must have to attain the national standard, ranging from rail driving skills, safety, the environment and general rail knowledge," he said.
"The qualifications themselves take anywhere between six months and two years to achieve, however there is also a lifetime of learning behind it too."
Mr Haigh said WATCO has been pro-active in ensuring their employees were meeting nationally accredited standards.