The Sydney Trains - Engineering and Maintenance Branch has been accredited as a Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace since 2024.
About your company
The Engineering and Maintenance (E&M) branch of Sydney Trains ensures a safe, reliable rail network and passenger fleet for Sydney. We manage a $1.5 billion annual maintenance program, with nearly 5,000 employees, over half in frontline roles, and 15% women.
Our teams support Sydney Trains’ asset management, commercial contracts, supply chain services, and provide design, engineering, and technical assurance. Frontline teams work in Fleet Maintenance, Major Works, and Network Maintenance, focusing on safe, reliable fleet services, large-scale asset maintenance, and routine maintenance across systems like track, signals, and electrical infrastructure.
People focus
Our people are our priority, and they are passionate about the work they do, our history and our future. We celebrate the diversity of our people, and we are dedicated to enhancing and increasing the skills and capability of our people.
Several activities help support the continued retention and engagement of women within E&M. The development of the Women’s Stream within the E&M Inclusion and Diversity Committee is strengthening our ability to hear and understand what women need to succeed and be supported in the workplace, as well as offering opportunities for women to network and develop their careers.
We are committed to create a workforce that is gender equitable, where our people can access and enjoy the same rewards, resources, and opportunities, regardless of their gender.
A range of initiatives have been implemented as a result of the partnership with People & Culture and the E&M Inclusion and Diversity Committee including, E&M Connecting Women Forums, In Her Words – Did we Listen? a collaboration between Sydney Trains and the Rail Track Association Australia which publishes feedback from women in rail, the establishment of a PPE Working Group ensuring female PPE including maternity clothing is available, pregnancy and parental leave packs and opportunities for women within E&M for development opportunity events including Women in Rail, Women in Engineering and Women in Leadership forums.
Recognising the growing number of women working in the branch, specific amenities for women at E&M worksites continue to be rolled out, including toilet facilities at remote and out of hours work locations.
In total, 25 rooms across Fleet, Asset Management, Commercial Supply Chain, Major Works, Engineering & System Integrity and Network Maintenance have been individually assessed and accredited. The facilities are private and equipped with custom breastfeeding chairs, small side table, bottle steriliser, mini fridges dedicated to storing expressed milk and access to sink and bottle washing facilities.
Why your organisation decided to become accredited
We know that workplace flexibility, breastfeeding facilities, return to work programs and parental and carers leave provisions are important considerations in retaining our employees after the birth of a child, and attracting women into our workplace. Being accredited to the ABA provides our people with the confidence that our facilities and wider breastfeeding programs are consistent with many of the best employers in Australia.