Apprenticeship training course

Rail infrastructure operator (level 3)

Operating the signals and electrical controls needed to keep trains running safely and on time.

• Qualification level: 3 ; Equivalent to A level.
• Typical duration: 18 months
• Apprenticeship category: Transport and logistics
• Maximum funding: £15,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • Control room operators
  • Service controller
  • Signallers
  • Station control manager
  • Traffic controllers
  • Traffic manager
  • Train service control manager
  • Train service manager
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Apply risk-based safety principles to ways of working and decision-making.
  • Operate and manage train control and information systems to support the operation of a railway system.
  • Apply statutory and company environmental safe working practices during planned, unplanned and emergency situations.
  • Operate and manage the train service in accordance with the train plan. Respond and adapt when disruptions occur to the planned service.
  • Identify, report and record information, using correct terms, standards, templates, and protocols.
  • Produces and manages a train plan, resource plan or engineering works programme.
  • Maintain safety and security of own work environment.
  • Identify and manage personal mental and physical fitness for duty, and role model mental and physical fitness for duty for others in the context of maintaining safety.
  • Negotiate with colleagues or stakeholders, for example to access equipment or arrange system outage.
  • Respond to and resolve common complaints.
  • Communicate with others, for example internal and external stakeholders, colleagues, and managers.
  • Identify, carry out and record role and industry related CPD activities to improve own practice.
  • Respond to and act upon information received regarding incidents and delays to manage the disruption to train services and return them to the scheduled timetable.
  • Implement initial response and incident management plans to match the scale of the situation and minimise the impact to the wider network, stakeholders and experts.
  • Initiate and facilitate investigations into incidents and events. Adhere to reporting procedures for different types of investigations including unplanned and emergency incidents or events.
  • Work collaboratively with internal and external parties as appropriate to resolve problems and deliver an efficient train service.
  • Explore and gather information from a range of sources needed to support operating activities and decisions.
  • Takes responsibility for the safety of themselves and others in a safety critical work environment.
  • Challenge others and escalate safety issues to comply with safety regulations and procedures.
  • Prioritise workload, for example balancing incident and event recovery with maintaining other services.

Full information on Rail infrastructure operator (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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