Railway Conductor

• 15-week certificate
• High industry demand

Program Description

The Railway Conductor (RRCD) program will prepare you for a career in operations in the Canadian Railway industry. This program is offered at the Centre for Rail Training and Technology. You will learn in a variety of settings including classrooms, labs, a private mini rail yard (complete with track and rail cars), and through visits to nearby industrial sites. Over the course of the program you will learn about the Canadian Railway Operating Rules (CROR) and the related instructions and processes. You will also learn operating procedures including train marshalling, handling of dangerous goods, documentation and all of the specific responsibilities of a conductor. Finally you will learn using actual rail equipment about the mechanical components of rail cars including air braking systems and communication systems.

Currently, the railway industry is experiencing significant growth as the economy recovers and there are increased demands for transportation and distribution of commodities and/or finished manufactured products. The high demand for our graduates is also the result of pressures brought on by high retirement rates as the demographics of an aging workforce influence the hiring rates and practices of the railways. The major railways have significant hiring and recruitment strategies in place for the next several years.

The Rail Training Centre is located in the N.R. Buck Crump Building located in the Mayland Heights Campus of SAIT Polytechnic, 1940 Centre Avenue NE.

Your Career

As a Railway Conductor, you will be an important part of the team delivering high levels of service and satisfaction to your customers. As a Conductor you may be responsible for switching and marshalling rail cars, delivering loaded shipments or empty rail cars, building and organizing trains, moving trains from origin to destination and ensuring the safety of the people, equipment and shipments. You will also communicate with distribution centres, yard managers and staff, railway dispatchers, local management and many others by radio, computer, signals and other means. The ability to follow detailed instructions to ensure safety and superior service is critical.

The railway industry is a unionized environment and due to this, seniority is a major factor in the determination of your working assignment. Depending on the location you may find employment as a Yardman/Yard Foreman as well as a Main Line Conductor. After additional training and/or education, many Conductors have progressed into Locomotive Engineer positions, and some have moved into management positions. In addition, some have found work with Short Line Railways and others in related transportation industries. Generally speaking, the remuneration is above average.

Admission Requirements

Aberta High School Diploma or equivalent with at least 50% in the following courses or equivalents:

• Pure Math 20 or Applied Math 20 or Math 20-1 or Math 20-2 or Math 20-3, AND,
• A Grade 12 English
• All applicants to SAIT Polytechnic must demonstrate English Language Proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada. For more information, please see English Proficiency.
• View High School Course Equivalencies Admission Equivalencies by Province.

Selection

There are no additional selection requirements. Admission to this program will be offered on a first-qualified, first-accepted basis. 

Student Success

Graduates must have a strong orientation towards safety and accept the rules and conditions of employment. This includes the requirements that the workplace be free of drugs and alcohol. They must also have good communication skills (verbal and written) that will maintain the safety of themselves and others. The ability to be flexible and innovative in problem solving and decision making, including interpersonal conflict is also required. The railway industry operates 24-hours a day, 365 days-a-year. Due to this shift work, being on call and irregular schedules are to be expected. Conductors may also work in all weather conditions and depending on the specific assignment, may spend a significant amount of time outdoors. There is a requirement for physical fitness and the ability to lift heavy objects. The railways have processes in place to assess recruits for medical fitness, drug testing, visual acuity (including color), criminal and background checks and in some cases, aptitude testing. SAIT does not perform this screening.

Progression

Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.

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.

Tuition And Fees (Subject To Change)

• Please refer to the Tuition and Fee Table.
• International Students, please refer to International Student Fees.
• For student funding, please refer to Financial Assistance.

Books And Supplies (Subject To Change)

• Books and supplies (including personal protection clothing) are approximately $600.
• Students must wear approved safety footwear.

Program Outline

• To find the course description for a course shown below, please go to our Course Finder and enter the course acronym and numbers (i.e., DMST-202) into the Quick Search by Course Code field.

For More Information

Information: 403.210.4150
Email: rail@sait.ca
Web: School of Transportation

Transfer with Certificate to…

Transfer options may be available at post-secondary institutions where credits from SAIT programs could be evaluated on an individual basis. Interested students should contact the post-secondary educational institute of their choice for more information.

To learn more, visit Transfer Options.

Related Links (Internal):

• Student-For-A-Day
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Upgrading
• International Students
• Mature Students
• Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition