Work Experience Program

Many PBR Work Experience students find that their placement is as much an opportunity to discover what they don’t want to do, as to learn something about an industry that they are enthusiastic to be a part of.

The experience that you gain in a working placement could provide, in the future, a unique opportunity to show your commitment to working. There are many ways to make a good impression when applying for a job, but if you’re a PBR Work Experience student, then being able to demonstrate a long-term interest could help you stand out from other applicants. Prospective employers will see that you are passionate, dedicated and have a drive to work in their industry if they see you have already been exposed to some work experience.

Through work experience, PBR students will be able to start making contacts, which could be a real advantage in securing entry-level jobs in an ultra-competitive field such as tourism.

Each year, Puffing Billy Railway selects a limited number of students as part of their Work Experience Program to gain experience in the Tourism industry.

We hope that all students finish the week with a deeper appreciation of heritage rail, the environment of the Dandenong Ranges, and how each role within the organisation works towards a positive tourism experience.

The program is a full-day, week-long, and all-weather program. Attendance dates for the successful students will be available over each term of the school year. Successful students will be required to perform physically demanding manual labour duties under supervision.

Puffing Billy Railway presents a variety of public programs, events, education programs and guided tours, and this provides Work Experience Program students with a great insight into customer service, tourism, retail and many other aspects of our working environment. Please remember we are an operating Railway and cannot therefore accept students into the Locomotive Operations Branch of the Railway as a part the PBR Work Experience Program.