Description
Take this program to gain the knowledge and skills required to work in the railway industry as a member of a train crew, in either road or yard service. This program integrates knowledge in safety, business, communications, and wellness with the management of trains, including switching and marshaling cars, transporting dangerous goods, performing inspections, copying authorities and keeping records – all within the context of the Canadian Rail Operating Rules and railway General Operating Instructions.
The program provides pre-employment education and training for those who are looking to enter the railway industry as members of train crews. You will receive a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on application through the use of lab facilities, worksite visits, and an on-going practicum simulating real working conditions.
The program has been designed and developed in cooperation with the railway industry under the guidance of representatives from railway companies in Canada.
You are recommended to attend an information session before applying for the program.
Sign up for an information session while seats are available!
Program starting in January 2021 or later - submission of required documentation is due within 30 days of applying unless otherwise noted in the program's admission requirements. English language assessments, if applicable, are due within 30 days of applying. However, due to COVID-19 related closures, proof of successful completion of the following items is due 90 days after the service provider re-opens:
In-person submission of documents is currently not available, but the following options are available:
Upload Through Your Future Student Account (preferred method)
Phone
If you do not have a Future Student Account or require assistance, please contact our Student Service Centre at 204-632-2327.
Mail
Student Service Centre
Red River College
D101–2055 Notre Dame Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9
E-mail: register@rrc.ca
Fax: 204-697-0584
Internationally Educated Applicants - visit www.rrc.ca/credentials for credential assessment information.
Industry Requirements
Students are responsible for:
Checking with hiring railway(s) for their policies and requirements
Determining the medical and physical standards required by individual railway companies.
Regular Admission Requirements
Regular Admission Requirements
| English Language Assessment | Minimum Required Levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L - Listening, S - Speaking, R - Reading, W - Writing | L | S | R | W |
| CanTEST
(Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Trainees)
RRC Institutional or Official CanTEST accepted EXCEPT for the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program. The MLS program requires the Official CanTEST (the RRC Institutional CanTEST will not be accepted). | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Duolingo English Test
()
Required minimum overall score is 115.
Due to closures related to COVID-19, RRC is temporarily allowing applicants to provide Duolingo English Test results to meet RRC's English language requirements. Applicants who meet the English Language Requirement through Duolingo will be invited to a 30-minute online meeting with a college representative. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss college supports to enhance student experience and contribute to the students' academic success. | 115 | 115 | 115 | 115 |
| IELTS - Academic (International English Language Testing System) | 7.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| PTE - Academic Online Assessment (Pearson Test of English) | 73 | 73 | 58 | 50 |
Red River College is a participating institution in the HigherEdPoints program. Through this program, students are able to convert Aeroplan® Miles and TD Points into funds to help cover their tuition. Family members and friends can also contribute to a student’s education by converting their loyalty points - anyone can donate their points to an individual student.
Visit the HigherEdPoints website for more information about the program and/or to set up an account to convert your points.
Much of a Conductor’s work involves recognition of railway signals. After completing this course, students should be able to recognize and interpret the variety of signals and signal sequences used by the railways.
Security is a common issue for a variety of modes of transportation including the railway. The course provides students with the skills and abilities necessary to perform their duties as Conductors in identifying and reporting potential security issues.
This course provides potential Conductors with the skills and abilities to safely evacuate passengers and other on-board staff in the event of an emergency.
This course focuses on the roles and responsibilities of the Railway Conductor with respect to the safe handling and transportation of dangerous goods. Course content includes handling of dangerous goods, proper processing, labeling and documentation.
This course focuses on proper and safe radio communication, a key duty in the role of the railway Conductor. Students learn and apply the appropriate rules and regulations for radio communication.
Tests and inspections of equipment and of trains are a major responsibility of Conductors. A train crew must inspect equipment and/or trains as often as possible to detect any condition(s) that could cause costly damages and/or accidents. This course covers the basic Conductor responsibilities and procedures for performing inspections and tests on air brake equipment. It encompasses pre-departure and en route inspections and tests required in accordance with regulations.
A train crew must inspect equipment and/or trains as often as possible to detect any condition(s) that could cause costly damages and/or accidents. This course focuses on the Conductor’s roles and responsibilities with respect to train and equipment inspection, wayside detection systems, and monitoring.
One of the key responsibilities of Conductors is to ensure trains pick up and set off the correct rail cars (switching) and that these rail cars are arranged in the correct sequence with the train (marshalling). This course teaches the roles, responsibilities and duties of the Conductor with respect to switching and marshalling.
The Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) govern railway operations of federally regulated railways and often guide the practices of regional and short line railways. Conductors must know and be able to apply all applicable rules in the performance of their duties. This course describes how the CROR impact the major functions within railway operations and promote safe operations relative to the movement and handling of trains and engines across a rail system.
Much of a Conductor’s work involves recognition of railway signals as well as direct “hands on” operation of railway equipment. This course provides learners with practical application of the content knowledge of the program in both a railway laboratory and in a rail yard.
This program integrates classroom theory with related on-the-job training in the form of a practicum. The practicum is assessed on a pass/fail basis.
You will be required to complete up to 80 hours of supervised practicum in a working rail yard. This includes working outside in prevailing weather conditions.
You must have PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) prior to starting your practicum. This equipment includes:
Field Training Location
CN Transcona Yards;
Access from 550 Pandora Ave E (CN facility);
Online learning is a critical component of course delivery in all Red River College programs. To ensure each student has the tools they need to achieve their academic goals, all Red River College students require, at minimum:
1. Off-campus access to a current computer with a webcam
2. A high speed internet connection
• Recommended minimum speed: 10 mbps for download, 3 mbps for upload
• Slower internet connection speeds may result in audio and video issues. Please keep in mind that if others in your home are using the same internet connection at the same time as you are, you may also experience audio and video issues.
• Please refer to https://www.rrc.ca/studentcomputing for further information on Computer Requirements for Students.
Please note that any anticipated costs are not included in Books and Supplies estimates.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which documents and compares an individual's prior learning gained from prior education, work and life experiences and personal study to the learning outcomes in College courses/programs. For more information, please visit www.rrc.ca/rpl.
Red River College surveys its graduates on an annual basis to collect data related to the graduates’ employment status, salary, occupation and skill use. In addition, graduates are asked to indicate their level of satisfaction regarding the education they received at Red River College.
Visit www.rrc.ca/numbers/reports/graduate-satisfaction for graduate satisfaction and employment reports.
You must complete your full-time program within four years from the start of the first course in the program, unless otherwise state in the program outline.
To graduate, you must successfully complete the theory-based portion of the program with a minimum of 85% and pass the practicum.
You will not be granted more than 75% of the credit requirements for graduation through transfer of credit.
When you have completed all the required courses in this program, be sure to apply for your certificate. For complete details and forms, see Application to Graduate.
Questions about graduation? Please call 204-694-1789 or 1-866-242-7073 for assistance.
Graduation with Honours
If you obtain a grade point average (GPA) of 3.8 or better for the program, you will graduate with honours. If you fail any course in the program, you will not be eligible for this honours designation.
For more information, contact:
School of Continuing Education
E113-2055 Notre Dame Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0J9
Phone: 204-694-1789 or 1-866-242-7073
Fax: 204-633-6489
Email: cde@rrc.ca
For information on how to apply to this program, follow the link below.
Every year Red River College surveys students, in all full-time programs, to learn more about their college experience. The questionnaire includes questions about students’ experiences with College programs, facilities, and services offered.
Visit www.rrc.ca/numbers/reports/student-evaluation-of-program for student evaluation of program reports.
Red River College is committed to student success and provides valuable support services to assist in helping students make the most of their time at RRC.
Visit www.rrc.ca/supports for more information.