On November 19, Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways (ADY), and Daniel Baer, Executive Vice President of Stadler Service AG, signed a cooperation agreement for the design and construction of ADY Training and Development Center.

The Center is scheduled to open in 2027 and will focus on training young and professional railway specialists, addressing the need for strategic workforce development. It will also support the training of staff for maintaining and operating new-generation railway vehicles, as well as preparing drivers for Stadler trains operating in the region.

Stadler will design, construct, and equip the center with technical resources, including state-of-the-art simulators for practical training. These simulators will help train drivers and technical staff improve their skills. The top-notch center will also offer management training programs and hands-on learning practices.

The four-story building will contain training and simulator rooms, offices, computer labs, and a cafeteria. Accommodation will be available for ADY staff attending from other regions of Azerbaijan. The Center will also be equipped with solar panels, supporting ADY’s commitment to sustainability principles by deploying environmentally friendly green energy technologies and reducing its carbon footprint.

Currently, 50% of ADY’s technical staff need training to apply modern technical and innovative trends in their professional work. The upcoming Training and Development Center will help address the shortage of skilled specialists.

Daniel Baer, Stadler’s Executive Vice President: ‘We are proud to have signed an agreement to support to establish a state-of-the-art training and development center as part of our cooperation with ADY. The training center will be equipped with the latest technology and will meet all the requirements for training future train drivers and our maintenance team. Stadler is thus making an important contribution to the promotion of the railway in Azerbaijan and the whole region. We are looking forward to realizing the project together with ADY.

The concept for the Center was developed in collaboration with the Deutsche Bahn Rail Academy after studying similar projects in Germany, Türkiye, and Spain. The Center will enhance practical and theoretical training in the railway sector, strengthen ties with educational institutions, and integrate international expertise into Azerbaijan’s railway system.

It will also significantly facilitate the preparation of professional staff to contribute to the development of international transport corridors passing through Azerbaijan, such as the Middle Corridor, cementing ADY’s strategic position in global trade.