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.

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Personality Type

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

freight transport methods customs regulations for passengers facilitate teamwork between students interpret traffic light signals used in tramway infrastructure work with virtual learning environments tram network track geometry manage resources for educational purposes provide lesson materials ensure maintenance of trains drive trams operate tram controls check train engines types of trams assessment processes interpret tramway traffic signs customer service follow signalling instructions perform classroom management mechanical composition of trams practice emergency stops

Source: Sisyphus ODB