Occupational railway instructor

Occupational railway instructors teach future occupational drivers of railway transportation, such as train, tram, metro and trolley drivers how to operate their railway vehicle according to regulations. They teach their students theory and techniques on how to optimally drive and maintain their specific railway vehicle, observe and evaluate the students’ practice. They also focus on non-driving related subjects such as customer service (in case of person transportation) and safety measure regulations.

The following job titles also refer to occupational railway instructor:

trolley driver instructor
railway instructor
practitioner of railway instruction
train driver instructor
metro driving instructor
railway instruction practitioner
engine driver instructor
tram driver instructor

High school diploma is generally required to work as occupational railway instructor. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Occupational railway instructor is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to occupational railway instructor.

hospitality vocational teacher
maritime instructor
business administration vocational teacher
digital literacy teacher
hairdressing vocational teacher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of occupational railway instructor. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of occupational railway instructor with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of occupational railway instructor.

Locomotive brake applications: Understand the dynamics of locomotive brake applications.
Train operating procedures: The different practices, routines, and procedures regarding the safe operation of trains in order to prevent collisions, derailments, or unplanned exceeding of speed limits.
Physical characteristics of railways: Familiar with all physical aspects of the railway, including train stations, the incline and decline of the right-of-way and speed limits.
Health and safety measures in transportation: The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.
Mechanics of trains: Possess basic knowledge of the mechanics involved in trains, understand the technicalities and participate in discussions on related topics in order to solve problems related to the mechanics.
Passenger transport regulations: Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.
Curriculum objectives: The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

These skills are necessary for the role of occupational railway instructor.

Guarantee students’ safety: Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
Monitor developments in field of expertise: Keep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.
Observe student’s progress: Follow up on students’ learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.
Teach train driving principles: Provide on-site trainings to trainees on how to operate and drive trains. Instruct them in theories and techniques on matters such as control panels, security signs, security measures, and procedures in train stations.
Adapt teaching to student’s capabilities: Identify the learning struggles and successes of students. Select teaching and learning strategies that support students’ individual learning needs and goals.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Assess students: Evaluate the students’ (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.
Adapt instruction to labour market: Identify developments in the labour market and recognise their relevance to the training of students.
Give constructive feedback: Provide founded feedback through both criticism and praise in a respectful, clear, and consistent manner. Highlight achievements as well as mistakes and set up methods of formative assessment to evaluate work.
Assist students in their learning: Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Apply intercultural teaching strategies: Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.
Control train movement: Control acceleration, braking, and overall operation of train in motion.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of occupational railway instructor. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Customer service: Processes and principles related to the customer, client, service user and to personal services; these may include procedures to evaluate customer’s or service user’s satisfaction.
Tram network: Know the tram system in order to determine how to maintain tram services while causing minimal disruption to customers in the event of incidents.
Assessment processes: Various evaluation techniques, theories, and tools applicable in the assessment of students, participants in a programme, and employees. Different assessment strategies such as initial, formative, summative and self- assessment are used for varying purposes.
Types of trams: Know different types of trams and their technical operating requirements. There are various forms of tram, such as cable-hauled, hybrid funicular electric, electric (trolley cars), gas trams, and trams powered by other means.
Customs regulations for passengers: Understand passenger customs regulations; know which official documents or declaration forms are required from different kinds of passenger.
Mechanical composition of trams: Understand the mechanical composition of trams; have the ability to identify and report any damage or malfunction to central operations.
Freight transport methods: Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of that modality.
Track geometry: Understand the 3D-geometry used for track layouts, and in the design and construction of railway infrastructure.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of occupational railway instructor. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Check train engines: Ensure that train engines comply with regulations before commencing a journey.
Facilitate teamwork between students: Encourage students to cooperate with others in their learning by working in teams, for example through group activities.
Ensure maintenance of trains: Oversee train equipment maintenance and rail security.
Practice emergency stops: Practice emergency stops. Know the interchange with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), as this must be disabled before the execution of an emergency stop.
Manage resources for educational purposes: Identify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.
Interpret traffic light signals used in tramway infrastructure: Observe traffic lights in tramway infrastructure, examine track conditions, area traffic, and prescribed speeds to ensure safety.
Follow signalling instructions: Follow signalling instructions throughout the journey. Comprehend the technical language used by signallers and adhere to instructions given by them.
Operate tram controls: Operate tram controls and power switches with different operating systems. Manipulate forward and reverse motion by smooth application of power and braking.
Work with virtual learning environments: Incorporate the use of online learning environments and platforms into the process of instruction.
Interpret tramway traffic signs: Observe traffic signs, understand their meaning, and act accordingly in the tramway infrastructure.
Perform classroom management: Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.
Provide lesson materials: Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Drive trams: Drive trams through urban areas; pick up and drop off passengers and freight.

2320 – Vocational education teachers

 

 

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References

1. Occupational railway instructor – ESCO