Traffic controllers
What do they do?
VR employs more than 400 traffic controllers in different parts of Finland. Their job is to control rail services, shunting in marshalling yards, and track maintenance work. They also inform passengers about exceptional circumstances in rail services through announcements and station display boards.
What are the requirements?
Training for rail traffic controllers lasts about seven months. The course consists of initial training, theory and on-the-job training. Training takes place at VR’s Training Centre in Pasila, Helsinki and at the rail traffic control centres in different locations. At the end of the course, students have to give an acceptable skills demonstration. This is followed by a 3–5 week period of on-the-job training and regional training for specific equipment lasting 2–9 weeks.
Traffic controllers must be able to operate the traffic control and passenger information systems and have a thorough knowledge of the safety equipment for rail traffic. They also need to know the regulations governing rail traffic. Of particular importance in the work of traffic controllers are a customer-oriented approach and good skills in cooperation and communication. Traffic controllers must be able to make independent, considered decisions quickly and to reach agreement with partners on the smooth flow of traffic. They also need to have a good capacity to withstand stress, especially during disruptions to normal services. Traffic control is shift work, and is carried out round the clock, seven days a week.
What is the application process?
Courses for traffic controllers are held once a year. About 20 people are chosen for training each year. The basic requirements are a minimum age of 18 years and good spoken and written Finnish language skills. Applicants must have graduated from high school or have an appropriate basic vocational qualification. Health is also an important selection criterion: selected students must be in general good health. Good hearing, eyesight and colour vision are particularly important.
The information given in the application form is used to select some of the applicants for interviews, and some of these then go on for aptitude tests.
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. VR gives the opportunity to develop into a professional in the diverse work of traffic control. As they gain experience and knowhow, traffic controllers can apply for duties for example as consultants or work supervisors.
VR employs more than 400 traffic controllers in different parts of Finland. Their job is to control rail services, shunting in marshalling yards, and track maintenance work. They also inform passengers about exceptional circumstances in rail services through announcements and station display boards.
What are the requirements?
Training for rail traffic controllers lasts about seven months. The course consists of initial training, theory and on-the-job training. Training takes place at VR’s Training Centre in Pasila, Helsinki and at the rail traffic control centres in different locations. At the end of the course, students have to give an acceptable skills demonstration. This is followed by a 3–5 week period of on-the-job training and regional training for specific equipment lasting 2–9 weeks.
Traffic controllers must be able to operate the traffic control and passenger information systems and have a thorough knowledge of the safety equipment for rail traffic. They also need to know the regulations governing rail traffic. Of particular importance in the work of traffic controllers are a customer-oriented approach and good skills in cooperation and communication. Traffic controllers must be able to make independent, considered decisions quickly and to reach agreement with partners on the smooth flow of traffic. They also need to have a good capacity to withstand stress, especially during disruptions to normal services. Traffic control is shift work, and is carried out round the clock, seven days a week.
What is the application process?
Courses for traffic controllers are held once a year. About 20 people are chosen for training each year. The basic requirements are a minimum age of 18 years and good spoken and written Finnish language skills. Applicants must have graduated from high school or have an appropriate basic vocational qualification. Health is also an important selection criterion: selected students must be in general good health. Good hearing, eyesight and colour vision are particularly important.
The information given in the application form is used to select some of the applicants for interviews, and some of these then go on for aptitude tests.
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. VR gives the opportunity to develop into a professional in the diverse work of traffic control. As they gain experience and knowhow, traffic controllers can apply for duties for example as consultants or work supervisors.