Railway Conductor

Your Career

As a conductor, your role is to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction through the use of safe and cost effective processes to optimize operations.  You will be responsible for switching and marshalling cars; setting off and picking up customers cars; making up trains within the rail yard; and moving cars between rail yards, sidings or tracks according to instructions originating with yard and train planners or network management centres and dispatch offices.  Graduates may find work as Railway Conductors (and other related occupations) within Canada’s two national railways or with a short line or regional carrier, or an industrial rail operator. As a graduate, you will be rewarded with challenging and interesting positions, paying good salaries and having opportunities for advancement including locomotive engineer and/or management.  Conductors are typically promoted to locomotive engineers with further training and qualification.

• Graduates of the Railway Conductor program have a 100% employment rate.

Student Success

Conductor graduates must have a strong orientation towards safety, as well as excellent English proficiency in verbal and written skills, good planning, decision-making and communicating skills to work in the rail industry.  Railways operate 24-hours a day, 365 days-a-year. Students must accept the reality of working shift work and having irregular days off.  The work of a conductor requires regular physical activity outdoors in all types of weather. Conductors need to be in good physical condition and be able to lift heavy objects (up to 85 lbs.).  Applicants to the railway companies are expected to pass government-mandated medical examinations including testing for vision including colour, hearing acuity and drug screening. Persons with medical concerns should consult with the employment office(s) of the respective railway(s).  Applicants to railway jobs are also given security screening by the hiring railway. Anyone with a concern should consult with the employment office (s) of the respective railway(s). Personal security information may be obtained from the local police force for a fee.  To gain employment in the rail industry as a Conductor, the student is responsible for determining the minimum medical and physical standards required by individual rail companies. SAIT does not provide screening services for the purpose of meeting these standards.

Credentials

After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT certificate as a Railway Conductor.

Accreditation

SAIT will seek accreditation from the Railway Association of Canada.