Education · 1 of 4

The path

Almost nobody walks in off the street. The usual route is railway experience first, then a posting to the control centre.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 or equivalent is the stated requirement at the major carriers.

2. 2

   Get railway experience

   2 to 5 years

   Most successful candidates have worked as a conductor or locomotive engineer and already know the operating rules and the territory.

3. 3

   Apply and pass screening

   Weeks to months

   Testing that measures memory, multitasking and decision speed, plus an interview, medical and background check.

4. 4

   Paid training

   About 5 to 6 months

   Roughly 5 to 6 months of classroom and simulator instruction on the operating rules, signals and control systems.

5. 5

   Probation on live territory

   Several months

   Supervised shifts on real traffic, commonly around 130 shifts, before you are fully qualified.