The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) launched the initiative to focus on education, training, skills development and employment for regional communities, as well as boosting the region's prosperity and sustainability.

As part of the academy, ARTC will partner with relevant organisations to provide 20 undergraduate scholarships over two years through various universities including Charles Sturt Univeristy.

This will mean students from Junee and surrounding local government areas wishing to study science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) will be able to apply for assistance before September 4.

Inland Rail CEO Richard Wankmuller said the initiative will act as a catalyst for positive change in many regional communities.

"Inland Rail will mean a new economic direction for some of these communities," he said.

"A major focus will be on building skills so that people and businesses are ready to take part in this once-in-a-generation project and the Inland Rail Skills Academy is one pathway for them to achieve that."

Various primary and secondary schools across the region will also have access to hands-on STEM workshops as part of the academy, with specific schools yet to be confirmed.

ARTC will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Australasian Railway Association to focus on offering apprenticeships and traineeships in rail related disciplines in regions along the alignment, and to build the capacity of smaller enterprises in regional communities to participate in the Inland Rail supply chain.