Marshalling yard workers
What do they do?
Some 1500 people work in marshalling yards around Finland. Most of these are employed by freight services.
Marshalling yard work includes assembling trains and moving coaches and wagons from one track to another. Marshalling yard workers also inspect trains as they arrive and leave. They collect and deliver wagons to and from port and factory railway lines. The work is carried out in teams made up of a train driver, shunting foreman and possibly other marshalling yard workers.
What are the requirements?
Training to become a marshalling yard worker lasts about three months. The course has three phases: initial training, theory and on-the-job training. The course is held at VR’s Training Centre in Pasila, Helsinki and in genuine work surroundings. At the end of the course, students have to give an acceptable skills demonstration.
Marshalling yard work takes place mostly outdoors. The work demands good physical condition, since during a working day marshalling yard workers have to walk several kilometres and lift heavy objects. They also climb up into and get down from wagons and coaches many times a day. Since they work in teams, cooperation and interpersonal skills are very important.
Marshalling yard work is responsible shift work that demands accuracy. The work also requires good mental resources.
What is the application process?
Some 60–80 students are chosen each year for marshalling yard work. Application for courses is usually in January-February and August-September. More details about available jobs are given in the Job vacancies section (in Finnish).
The basic requirements for marshalling yard workers are a minimum age of 18 years, good Finnish language skills, and good physical condition and general health. Good eyesight, colour vision and hearing are particularly important. A relevant basic vocational qualification and previous work experience are considered an advantage.
The information given in the application forms is used to select some of the applicants for interviews. Some of these then go on to aptitude assessments. The final selection is made on the basis of the information on the application forms, interviews, aptitude assessments and health checks.
The course is free and includes the teaching and the materials. Students receive a free VR rail pass for journeys between their home and the place of study. Students are entitled to study grants from Kela, the Social Insurance Institution.
What are the opportunities? All those who successfully complete the training obtain a permanent position with VR at the location mentioned in the job vacancy announcement. After working for about one year, marshalling yard workers can apply for training as a shunting foreman, and through that for more demanding planning and supervisor duties.
Some 1500 people work in marshalling yards around Finland. Most of these are employed by freight services.
Marshalling yard work includes assembling trains and moving coaches and wagons from one track to another. Marshalling yard workers also inspect trains as they arrive and leave. They collect and deliver wagons to and from port and factory railway lines. The work is carried out in teams made up of a train driver, shunting foreman and possibly other marshalling yard workers.
What are the requirements?
Training to become a marshalling yard worker lasts about three months. The course has three phases: initial training, theory and on-the-job training. The course is held at VR’s Training Centre in Pasila, Helsinki and in genuine work surroundings. At the end of the course, students have to give an acceptable skills demonstration.
Marshalling yard work takes place mostly outdoors. The work demands good physical condition, since during a working day marshalling yard workers have to walk several kilometres and lift heavy objects. They also climb up into and get down from wagons and coaches many times a day. Since they work in teams, cooperation and interpersonal skills are very important.
Marshalling yard work is responsible shift work that demands accuracy. The work also requires good mental resources.
What is the application process?
Some 60–80 students are chosen each year for marshalling yard work. Application for courses is usually in January-February and August-September. More details about available jobs are given in the Job vacancies section (in Finnish).
The basic requirements for marshalling yard workers are a minimum age of 18 years, good Finnish language skills, and good physical condition and general health. Good eyesight, colour vision and hearing are particularly important. A relevant basic vocational qualification and previous work experience are considered an advantage.
The information given in the application forms is used to select some of the applicants for interviews. Some of these then go on to aptitude assessments. The final selection is made on the basis of the information on the application forms, interviews, aptitude assessments and health checks.
The course is free and includes the teaching and the materials. Students receive a free VR rail pass for journeys between their home and the place of study. Students are entitled to study grants from Kela, the Social Insurance Institution.
What are the opportunities? All those who successfully complete the training obtain a permanent position with VR at the location mentioned in the job vacancy announcement. After working for about one year, marshalling yard workers can apply for training as a shunting foreman, and through that for more demanding planning and supervisor duties.