RAIL INDUSTRY AWARDS

Open to Railway Operators who have demonstrated excellence in the upkeep and administration of infrastructure assets or train rolling stock.

Criteria:

Demonstrate how the organisation has:

• Implemented intelligent asset management technologies.
• Decreased the amount of unplanned maintenance and the correction of in-service failures.
• Adhered to maintenance schedules.
• Made positive impacts on the operational excellence of the organization, including such things as cycle time, quality, turnaround time, extended service life, increased collaboration, and impact to decision-making.

Open to rail entities within South Africa, who have developed and implemented transformation strategies within their organisation.

Criteria:

Demonstrate how the organisation has:

• Implemented significant gender parity initiatives to promote women’s professional growth in the rail industry
• Implemented proactive measures to boost applications from underrepresented groups.
• Implemented a strong commitment on a personal or business level to inclusive work practices?
• Implemented at least three programs that have had favourable outcomes in terms of equity, employee engagement, recruitment, and retention.
• Implemented initiatives aimed at improving employee health and wellbeing that have shown promise.

Open to any training service providers and Operator Departments, involved in rail training in SA, which will demonstrate a significant contribution to rail for train crew, infrastructure, and maintenance crew, safety, engineering, technical and or rail training.

Criteria:

Provide evidence on how:

• Career development programs in the workplace that support business objectives for rail has been implemented.
• A positive commitment to the education or training of railway employees has been achieved.
• Leadership in the provision or delivery of apprenticeship or graduate schemes has been displayed.
• Trainees have acquired the skills necessary to maximize their business contribution in rail.
• Business success has resulted from investments in education and training through detail curriculum development, course accreditation, and affiliation and number of students in 2023.
• Training has contributed to the safety improvements of rail.

Open to companies actively involved in the rail logistics, supply chain and may include rail logistics stakeholders and service providers, rail relevant OEMs, and advocacy groups in South Africa.

Criteria:

Indicate how the organisation has:

• Attracted additional freight traffic to rail, which could lead to a modal shift, increased income, and expansion of rail traffic flows.
• Demonstrated agility and adaptability in fulfilling client needs, such as modifying services or goods to boost productivity or draw in new clients.
• Conducted client satisfaction survey’s focused on deliberate investment to improve rail industry logistics supply chain.
• Made significant enhancements to rail logistics performance and safety.
• Outstanding rail logistics support such as OEM supply and support collaborative efforts within the ail sector and overall enhancement the rail industry.

For the most exceptional professional contribution in the rail sector. This award recognises an individual who has dedicated their career to the advancement of South African railways. This award celebrates a person who has made exceptional and lasting contributions for at least 15 years in one or more of the following areas:

Criteria:

Demonstrate at least 15 years of:

• Visionary Leadership: Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking that significantly advanced the development of South African railways.
• Operational Excellence:  Achieved through outstanding improvements in the efficiency, safety, reliability, or sustainability of railway operations.
• Technical Expertise:  Contributed deep technical knowledge that resulted in significant advancements.
• Industry Impact:  Made a lasting and positive impact on the South African railway industry through advocacy, collaboration, or representation.
• Community Impact: Contributed to the social and economic well-being of communities through railway-related initiatives or by promoting environmental and social responsibility.

Motivations submitted should be based on the criteria points above and will be considered by the adjudicator panel.

The pioneering applied research award recognises outstanding contributions to the field of in rail research highlighting individuals or teams that have significantly advance the industry through continuous/ industry relevant research.

Criteria:

Outline research and how it has been implemented to date based on the list below: 

• Impact: The extent to which the research has contributed to improving safety, efficiency, sustainability, or overall performance of rail transportation in the past two years.
• Implementation: To provide tangible evidence of research implementation.
• Innovation: The originality and creativity of the research, including the development of new methodologies, technologies, or approaches.
• Relevance: The relevance of the research to current and future challenges facing the rail industry, and its potential to address key issues.
• Quality: The rigor and quality of the research methodology, analysis, and presentation of results.
• Collaboration: The extent to which the research involves collaboration with industry stakeholders, and its potential for practical application in the rail sector.