Profession 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.

Personality Type

• Social / Realistic
• Social / Artistic
• Social / Investigative

Knowledge

• Passenger transport regulations

  Have knowledge of passenger transport conventions and regulations.

• 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.

• Locomotive brake applications

  Understand the dynamics of locomotive brake applications.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Curriculum objectives

  The goals identified in curricula and defined learning outcomes.

Skills

• 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.

• Observe student's progress

  Follow up on students’ learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.

• Assist students in their learning

  Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Control train movement

  Control acceleration, braking, and overall operation of train in motion.

• Prepare lesson content

  Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB