Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Train Driver) (Level 4) with strands in
Electric Multiple Unit, and Locomotive
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
4
Credits
75–90
NZSCED
039907
Engineering and Related Technologies > Other Engineering and
Related Technologies > Rail Operations
Qualification developer
Competenz
Next review
December 2020
Approval date
July 2015
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the New Zealand
Rail Industry with personnel who have the skills and knowledge
required to drive trains on the rail network.
The qualification is intended for persons wishing to enter the rail
industry or people already working in the industry who wish to
move to a train driver role.
Graduates will be capable of working independently under broad
guidance to drive trains on the rail network.
Graduates of the Electrical Multiple Unit (EMU) strand will be
able to operate passenger services on the electrified urban
networks.
Graduates of the Locomotive strand will be able to operate
locomotive hauled services across the wider network.
Outcome Statement
Graduate profile
Qualification Reference 2886
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
Graduates will be able to:
-
Obtain, interpret and communicate information required for
the safe and efficient operation of the train.
-
Interpret and comply with rail operator rules, signals, train
running systems and standard operating procedures.
-
Work safely when in or near the rail corridor to protect self
and others.
-
Apply a detailed knowledge of route features, their risks and
implications for drivers, to ensure the safe operation of the
train.
Graduates of the Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) strand will also be
able to:
-
Prepare an EMU for service and conduct end of shift
procedures
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-
Implement emergency procedures and conduct passenger
evacuations.
-
Operate an EMU in various combinations across a range of
routes and different environmental conditions.
Graduates of the Locomotive strand will also be able to:
Education pathway
-
Inspect and prepare a mainline locomotive for service and
conduct end of shift procedures.
-
Operate a mainline locomotive across a range of routes,
environmental conditions and loadings.
Graduates of the New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations
(Train Manager) (Level 3) [Ref: 2885] who wish to move to a train
driving role may progress to this qualification on acceptance as a
trainee driver.
There are no specific higher level qualifications for train driver
roles but graduates of this qualification may complete the second
strand if they wish to move from urban passenger to locomotive
hauled services or vice-versa.
Graduates may also consider engineering, general management
and other logistics and transport industry qualifications.
Employment pathway
Graduates of this qualification are equipped to work as train
drivers on either urban passenger or locomotive hauled services,
depending on the strand completed.
On completion of additional relevant training, graduates could
move to crew training or operational management roles in the rail
industry. They could also consider roles in the wider logistics
and transport industry.
Qualification specifications
Qualification award
This qualification can be awarded by an organisation which has
an approved programme of study, or industry training programme
leading to the qualification.
The certificate will display the logo of the NZQF and may display
the name and/or logo of the awarding body.
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) either arranging
training or delivering programmes that lead to the award of the
qualification are required to participate in a consistency process
scheduled by NZQA.
This will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduate’s
achievement of outcomes, and agreeing acceptable thresholds
for qualification outcome achievement and areas for
improvement.
To demonstrate how graduates are achieving the qualification
graduate profile outcomes, TEOs are required to produce their
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own evidence in a high level report.
Evidence will include the following:
-
Employer surveys to determine if graduates of the
qualification meet graduate profile outcomes
-
Evidence of effective processes to ensure programmes
continue to meet current industry needs
-
A range of workplace evidence demonstrating that graduates
meet the graduate profile outcomes
-
Any other relevant evidence as appropriate
Further information can be found on the NZQA website.
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Achievement of all outcomes. There are no grade endorsements
for this qualification.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including regulatory
body or legislative requirements)
To complete this qualification, learners must have been accepted
as trainee drivers by a Rail Operator.
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
General conditions for
programme
TEOs arranging training or delivering programmes towards this
qualification must ensure that the training arranged and
programmes of learning delivered, are kept up-to-date with
regard to amendments to, and replacements of relevant
legislation and regulations.
Current legislation and regulations can be accessed at
http://legislation.govt.nz
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics:
Obtain, interpret and
communicate information
required for the safe and
efficient operation of the train
Credits: 5
2
Interpret and comply with rail
operator rules, signals, train
running systems and standard
Qualification Reference 2886
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
-
Interpretation and application of bulletins, operating
instructions, rosters and work schedules
-
Prepare written communications including on-board reports
and incident reports
-
Electronic communications using Radio Telephone (RT) and
phone
-
Face to face communications with rail staff and the public
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics:
-
General rules and regulations
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3
operating procedures
-
Signals and signalling
Credits: 15
-
Signalling and interlocking (S&I) diagrams
-
Train running and control systems i.e. Train Control,
Automatic Signalling Rules (ASR), Centralised Train Control
(CTC)
-
Professional driving standards
Work safely when in or near
the rail corridor to protect self
and others
Programmes must include coverage of the following topics:
-
Credits: 10
-
-
4
Apply a detailed knowledge of
route features, their risks and
implications for drivers to
ensure the safe operation of
the train
Credits: 10
Qualification Reference 2886
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
General rail safety, including:
-
Risk assessment, environment and equipment
-
Actions to maintain the safety of self and others
-
Electrification awareness
-
Track safety
-
Fire extinguisher use
-
Tunnel safety awareness
Managing factors affecting personal performance, including:
-
Health, nutrition and hydration
-
Sleep and fatigue
-
Managing the effects of shift work
-
Stress, alcohol and drugs
-
Team work (including communication)
-
Understanding own capabilities and limitations
Application of cognitive skills to maintain rail safety,
including:
-
Situational awareness and decision making
-
Assumption traps
-
Task prioritisation
Programmes must ensure a comprehensive route knowledge
which enables drivers to identify all relevant route features,
explain their risks and the implications for drivers. Features must
include:
-
Route name
-
Train running system e.g. Centralised Traffic Control (CTC)
Track Warrant Control (TWC)
-
Ruling gradients and curvature
-
Speed restrictions (temporary and standing)
-
Signal types and locations (e.g. home, multi-aspect)
-
Features on the route (e.g. stations, level crossings, sidings)
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-
Local instructions
-
Working procedures in yards and sidings: joint operating
plans and depot briefings
-
Operational exceptions
-
Generic and specific route risks
-
General and specific driver distractions
Programmes must also cover basic service features:
-
Passenger and/or goods services, type and identifier
-
Timetables, route distance and travelling times
Electric Multiple Unit Strand
5
Prepare an EMU for service
and conduct end of shift
procedures
Credits: 10
6
Implement emergency
procedures and conduct
passenger evacuations
Credits: 5
7
Programme must include coverage of the following topics:
-
Equipment settings and start up
-
Inspection testing and fault diagnoses
-
Brake tests
-
Final judgement that all equipment is operational and fit for
service
-
Coupling and uncoupling
-
Shunting and stabling
-
Equipment shut down
-
Train checks – people, equipment, damage, faults,
vandalism
Programme must include coverage of the following topics:
-
Section evacuations
-
Platform evacuations
-
Tunnel evacuations
-
Passenger initiated emergencies
Operate an EMU in various
combinations across a range
of routes and different
environmental conditions
Programme must include coverage of the following topics:
Credits: 20
Qualification Reference 2886
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-
Train handling
-
Minimum to maximum multiples/combinations of units
-
Response to varied environmental conditions
-
Irregular movements
-
Day and night driving
-
Driving all track conditions
-
All designated routes
-
Response to signals and other train running advice notices
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-
Incident response
-
Identification and diagnosis of faults
-
Managing faults and breakdowns
-
Operating in degraded mode
-
Communication with staff and public during operation
Programme may also include:
-
Running on European Train Control System (ETCS)
Locomotive Strand
8
9
Inspect and prepare a mainline
locomotive for service and
conduct end of shift
procedures
Programme must include coverage of the following topics:
Credits: 10
-
Equipment settings and start up
-
Inspection and fault diagnoses
-
Brake tests
-
Final judgement that all equipment is operational and fit for
service
-
Locomotive splitting
-
Shunting and stabling
-
Equipment shut down
-
Train checks (people, equipment, damage, faults, vandalism)
Operate a mainline locomotive
across a range of routes,
environmental conditions and
loadings
Programme must include coverage of the following topics:
Credits: 40
-
Train handling
-
Operating a single (unladen) locomotive
-
Operating with combinations of loadings — size of consist,
empty and laden
-
Operating single and multiple locomotive power sources
-
Response to varied environmental conditions
-
Day and night driving
-
Driving all track conditions
-
All designated routes
-
Response to signals and other operational signage
-
In-route shunting and intermediate brake tests
-
Management of faults and breakdowns
-
Identification and diagnosis of faults
-
Incident response
Transition information
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© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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Replacement information
This qualification replaces the National Certificate in Rail
Operations (Locomotive Engineer) with strands in Network
Freight Train, Network Passenger Train, and Network Multiple
Unit/Railcar (Level 4) [Ref: 1109].
The last date for entry into the replaced qualification is 31 December 2016.
The last date for assessments to take place for the replaced qualification is 31 December 2018.
It is recommended candidates currently enrolled in a programme leading to the replaced qualification
complete their existing programme by 31 December 2018. They may, however, choose to transfer into a
programme leading to this qualification.
It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.
However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the
address below. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Competenz, PO Box 9005, Newmarket, Auckland 1149
Qualification Reference 2886
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2015
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