The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway, a major national strategic infrastructure project, is scheduled to commence operations in 2021, and in preparation for its launch, the Indonesia-China consortium developing the rail, Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), is hiring 2,400 staff.

“We are extending the opportunity for the nation’s best individuals to become a part of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway operational team,” said KCIC human resources director Puspita Anggraeni. “Those who are chosen to join us will become part of the first generation of high-speed railway operators in Indonesia.”

The positions to be filled range from high-value engineering and operations control personnel, to technical roles and front-line passenger service. KCIC said that the hiring will be carried out in phases, and both fresh graduates and experienced personnel are needed. As this will be the first high-speed railway to operate in the country, KCIC is providing new hires with additional training to ensure that they are able to cope with the work. This includes overseas training for positions that require licensing not currently available in Indonesia.

The Indonesian railway system, run by national operator Kereta Api Indonesia or Indonesian Railway Company, currently employs some 28,000 people. Construction on the new high-speed railway project, which is part of the government’s plans to upgrade and connect the rail infrastructure, accounts for another 3,000 or so local employees.