Education · 1 of 4

The path

This is a hire-then-train job. No diploma required, but the hiring bar is real.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 or equivalent, and you must be 18 or older.

2. 2

   Apply and get through screening

   Weeks to months

   Aptitude testing, panel interview, criminal record check, medical, hearing, vision and a drug and alcohol screen.

3. 3

   Paid classroom training

   About 8 to 12 weeks

   Operating rules, safety, air brakes, dangerous goods and paperwork. Held at a company training centre, often out of province.

4. 4

   On-the-job training and qualifying

   Several months

   Supervised trips with a qualified crew, then a certification exam. Federal rules require an overall mark of at least 80%.

5. 5

   Working conductor

   Ongoing

   You hold a spot on the seniority list. Junior people work the spare board until traffic or retirements move them up.