Red River College

Railway Conductor
Overview

Gain the knowledge and skills to work in the railway industry as members of train crews in either road or yard service. This program integrates knowledge in safety, business, communications and wellness with the management of trains, including switching and marshalling cars, transporting dangerous goods, performing inspections, copying authorities and keeping records – all within the context of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and railways General Operating Instructions.

>The Railway Conductor Certificate provides pre-employment education and training for those who are willing to enter the railway industry as members of train crews.

>You will receive a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on application through the use of lab facilities and work site visits and a two-week practicum simulating real working conditions.

> The Railway Conductor program has been designed and developed in cooperation with the railway industry under the guidance of representatives from railway companies in Canada.

Program duration: 15 weeks (could be less dependent on Practicum)

Currently taking applications for September 7, 2010 course start date.

 

 


 
Entrance Requirements
  • Manitoba Grade 12 including Grade 12 English and Grade 12 Mathematics

NOTE: Please check specific railway conductor website for hiring criteria includes medical/physical requirements.

  • PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Standard is required.   Students will be provided a list prior to their first practicum experience.

Special Admission Requirements
Applicants who will be 19 years of age on or before September 30 in their year of registration, and who have been out of high school for a minimum of one year who do not meet the regular admission requirements may apply under the special admission requirements. Individuals applying as a special admission applicant must have successfully completed a minimum of one credit of Applied Math 30S, Pre-Calculus Math 30S, or Consumer Math 40S, and one credit of science at the 30S level. English 30S is strongly recommended.

2. Adult Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector (ACRVS) Check conducted within six months of attending the practicum. Note: Students registering for the full-time program through the School of Continuing and Distance Education must submit these documents prior to the start of the program. See CO-OP/Practicum Information for details.

3. English as an Additional Language (EAL) applicants are required to have a Canadian Benchmark Level of 7 of Speaking, Reading and Writing and Level 7 for Listening.

Industry Polices

  • Industry requires that graduates have a strong orientation towards safety, as well as good problem-solving, and strong oral and written communication skills in the English language.
  • Applicants and employees in the industry may be required to take additional training and examinations.  Industry requires 100 % on critical safety examinations.  Computing and keyboarding skills are required.
  • The rail industry is a 24 hour- a-day, 365 day-a-year operation.  Students need to be comfortable with shift work, and days off other than normal weekends.
  • The work of a conductor requires regular physical activity outdoors in all types of weather. Conductors need to be good physical shape, and be prepared and able to lift heavy objects at times (up to 85 lbs).
  • Applicants to railway companies will be expected to pass medical examinations including testing for vision including colour, hearing acuity, and drug screening.  Individuals with medical concerns should consult the employment office (s) of respective railway(s).
  • Applicants to the railways are also given security screening checks by the hiring railway.  Anyone with a concern should consult the employment office(s) of respective railway(s).
  • All railway employees must complete a criminal background check.  Risk assessment will be done on a case by case basis.
  • To gain employment in the industry as a conductor, the student is responsible for determining the minimum medical and physical standards required individual railway companies.
  • Job applicants are advised that many railways require high school graduation and a valid driver’s licence.
Other Information

Railway Conductor Information Session

The Railway Conductor Information Session will be held at 7:00 pm in the White Lecture Theatre.

Monday July 26, 2010

Thursday August 5, 2010

Tuesday August 10, 2010


 
Graduation Requirements

You must successfully complete all courses, with a minimum of 80% in each, and pass the practicum to graduate. When you have completed all the required courses in this program, be sure to apply for your certificate. Call 204. 694.1789 or 1.866.242.7073.  When you receive your certificate, you will be invited to participate in one of the College's semi-annual Graduation ceremonies.

Students who obtain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or better will graduate with honours. Students will not be granted more than 75% of credit requirements for graduation through transfer of credit. Students with any course failures within their program of study will not be eligible for the honours designation.


 
CO-OP/Practicum Information

Each student will be required to complete a two week supervised practicum which is conducted in a working rail yard. 

The practicum condition will simulate the real working conditions of employees, i.e. students may be called to work shifts with short notice, and will work outside in prevailing weather conditions.

The practicum location will be held at the CEMR Transcona Yard – Winnipeg, MB

PLEASE NOTE: Fulltime program practicum hours are extended.
To be eligible to register in the practicum, applicants must meet the following:
1. Successfully completed all theory courses
2. Submit Adult Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector (ACRVS) Check conducted within six months of attending the practicum. Original documents must be submitted. For further information, please go to: http://www.rrc.mb.ca/files/File/coned/criminalrecord.pdf
3. RRC photo identification card
4. Personal resume
5. Information sheet for practicum instructor to be done at first class.
The Practicum is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Students who are unsuccessful may be advised of remedial courses that can be taken, and will be given one more opportunity to register and complete the practicum.

Program Content
YEAR 1
TERM 1 COURSE NAME CREDIT HOURS
  PRAC-1045 Railway Conductor Practicum 2
  RAIL-1000 Role of the Conductor 0
  RAIL-1001 Communications for Conductors 0
  RAIL-1002 Professional Skills 1
  RAIL-1003 Railway Culture 2
  RAIL-1004 Creating a Safety Culture 1
  RAIL-1005 Rules & Regulations for Conductors 8
  RAIL-1006 Crew Resource Management 0
  RAIL-1007 Air Brake System & Test 0
  RAIL-1008 Performing Inspections 1
  RAIL-1009 Railway Laboratory 2
  RAIL-1010 Record Keeping 0
  RAIL-1011 Switching & Marshalling 1
  RAIL-1012 Operations Perspective 0
  SAFE-1168 Transportation of Dangerous Goods 0
 
Course Descriptions
PRAC-1045 Railway Conductor Practicum
Course Description
The work of a Conductor is extremely safety sensitive, and if done improperly, poses threat to life and limb.  For that reason, no student shall graduate from the RAC Conductor program without successfully completing a work practicum in which he/she shall apply safety rules and regulations.  The practicum is the transition between classroom and work.  It focuses on the application towards mastery of the skills already learned in the Conductor Program, within a safe environment.  Students shall receive a pass/fail grade from the Practicum Instructor based on their ability to demonstrate competency of the requisite skills. 
Each practicum shall take place in a yard setting.  The practicum conditions will simulate the real working conditions of employees, i.e. students may be called to work shifts with short notice, and will work outside in prevailing weather conditions.
 
RAIL-1000 Role of the Conductor
Course Description
Conductors are critical to operations of freight and passenger trains.  They play a key role in ensuring trains are build and reach their destinations safely.  In this course, you will develop an understanding of what knowledge, skills and attributes are required, what responsibilities are held, and how those responsibilities contribute to the overall success of a railway.
 
RAIL-1001 Communications for Conductors
Course Description
Conductors plan communications using effective problem solving and decision-making skills in the form that fulfills the purpose of a Conductor and which meets the needs of those that he or she communicates with on a daily basis.
 
RAIL-1002 Professional Skills
Course Description
The intent of this course is to provide learners with the customer service skills that will enable them to deal effectively, efficiently, and professionally with clients and co-workers in the railway industry.
 
RAIL-1003 Railway Culture
Course Description
Railways are organizations with very specific culture and organizational patterns.  This course will familiarize the learner with railway culture and the political reality of the industry
 
RAIL-1004 Creating a Safety Culture
Course Description
This course will provide the foundation for safety in the railway industry.  It will provide the learner with an overview of the regulatory bodies and regulations pertaining to the industry
 
RAIL-1005 Rules & Regulations for Conductors
Course Description
The Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) govern railway operations of federally regulated railways and often guide the practices of regional and short line railways.  Conductors must know and be able to apply all applicable rules in the performance of their duties.  This course describes how the CROR impact the major functions within railway operations and promote safe operations relative to the movement and handling of trains and engines across a rail system
 
RAIL-1006 Crew Resource Management
Course Description
Applying Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles will improve the working environment for each individual as well as for any crew or team.  Developing a greater awareness of the concepts, philosophies and objectives of CRM will enhance safety, lead to the prevention of railway incidents and accidents as well as encourage commercially efficient train operations.  This course serves as an introduction to CRM and addresses the human component in a safety system
 
RAIL-1007 Air Brake System & Test
Course Description
Tests and inspections of equipment and of trains are a major responsibility of Conductors.  A train crew must inspect equipment and/or trains as often as possible to detect any condition(s) that could cause costly damages and/or accidents.  This course covers the basic Conductor responsibilities and procedures for performing inspections and tests on air brake equipment.  It encompasses pre-departure and en route inspections and tests required in accordance with regulations.
 
RAIL-1008 Performing Inspections
Course Description
A train crew must inspect equipment and/or trains as often as possible to detect any condition(s) that could cause costly damages and/or accidents.  This course covers three modules:  train and equipment inspection, wayside detection systems, and monitoring.
 
RAIL-1009 Railway Laboratory
Course Description
Much of a Conductor’s work involves recognition of railway signs and signals as well as direct “hands on” operation of railway equipment.  This course allows learners to observe track signs, signals, and other equipment as well as practice procedures in a railway laboratory.
 
RAIL-1010 Record Keeping
Course Description
Forms/reports/documents are essential for the operation of a railway, and conductors are required to complete and to maintain a number of different forms/reports./documents as a part of their job
 
RAIL-1011 Switching & Marshalling
Course Description
One of the key responsibilities of Conductors is to ensure trains pick up and set off the correct rail cars (switching) and that these rail cars are arranged in the correct sequence with the train (marshalling).  A Conductor’s duties include switching equipment to ensure proper (safe and efficient) train marshalling and handling.  The ability to follow verbal and written instructions to safely place equipment as well as to follow marshalling requirements is central to the role of Conductor.
 
RAIL-1012 Operations Perspective
Course Description
This is an instructor-led, full day seminar, featuring team interactive activities.  The workshop is intended to give people who have no understanding of railroad operations, a better understanding of basic railroad operations through the use of videos and an experienced instructor
 
SAFE-1168 Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Course Description
This course covers handling of dangerous goods, proper processing, labeling and documentation, actions to take in chemical identification by PIN number.  Purchase of a manual is required.
 


Costs (estimates only; subject to change)
Program/Student Fees
Year 1 $9,200.00 1
Books and Supplies
Year 1 $.00 2
1 included $300 non-refundable deposit
2 Books included in tuition price. Student is responsible for providing own Personal Protective Equipment, including: Safety shoes (CASA-approved, 6 inch in-step, hard toe, defined heel), Safety glasses (CSA approved), leather gloves.

Contact Information

If you require further information contact:


Joe Carey
Program Manager, Trade, Transportation and Industry
School of Continuing and Distance Education
Phone: (204) 632-2408
Fax: (204) 633-7748
Email: jcarey@rrc.mb.ca

Or

School of Continuing and Distance Education
C116-2055 Notre Dame Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9
Phone: 204.694.1789 or 1.866.242.7073
Fax: 204.633.6489
E-mail: cde@rrc.mb.ca