National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

This broad category comprises middle management occupations in trades, transportation and equipment, as well as occupations such as technical trades and transportation officers and controllers; general trades; mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers; and helpers and labourers and other transport drivers, operators and labourers.

73 - General trades

This major group comprises general trades. These occupations come with Training, Education, Experience and Responsibility (TEER) identified as TEER 3. Occupations classified in TEER 3, as those included in this group with a 3 as the second digit of their code, typically require completion of a post-secondary education program of less than two years at community college, institute of technology or CÉGEP; or completion of an apprenticeship training program of less than two years; or more than six months of on-the-job training, training courses or specific work experience with some secondary school education; or the accumulation of several years of experience in a related occupation found in TEER 4, when applicable (TEER 4 includes occupations with a 4 as a second digit in their code).

733 - Transportation occupations

This sub-major group comprises transportation occupations, including transport truck and transit drivers, and train crew operating occupations.

7331 - Train crew operating occupations

This minor group comprises train crew operating occupations, including railway and yard locomotive engineers, and railway conductors and brakemen/women. They are employed by railway transport companies and industrial and commercial users of rail transport.

73310 - Railway and yard locomotive engineers

Railway locomotive engineers operate railway locomotives to transport passengers and freight. They are employed by railway transport companies. Yard locomotive engineers operate locomotives within yards of railway, industrial or other establishments. They are employed by railway transport companies and industrial or commercial users of rail transport.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • locomotive engineer - railway
  • railway engineer
  • switch engineer - railway
  • transfer hostler - railway
  • yard engineer - railway

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Light rail transit operator (See 73301 Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators)
  • Subway train operator (See 73301 Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit operators)
  • Supervisors, railway transport operations (See 72023 Supervisors, railway transport operations)
  • Train dispatcher (See 72604 Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Railway locomotive engineers

  • Operate locomotives to transport passengers and freight on railways
  • Operate communication systems to communicate with train crews and traffic controllers to ensure safe operation and scheduling of trains
  • Inspect assigned locomotives and test operating controls and equipment.

  Yard locomotive engineers

  • Operate locomotives to switch, couple and uncouple cars for loading and unloading
  • Perform switching operations according to written switching orders or dispatched instructions
  • Inspect locomotives, replenish fuel or perform routine maintenance on locomotives.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Experience as a conductor is required for railway locomotive engineers and may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
  • Experience as a railway yard worker may be required for yard locomotive engineers.
  • Railway locomotive engineers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.

• Additional information

  • Mobility between railway transport companies or between establishments employing locomotive engineers may be limited due to seniority provisions of collective agreements.

73311 - Railway conductors and brakemen/women

Railway conductors coordinate and supervise the activities of passenger and freight train crew members. Brakemen check train brakes and other systems and equipment prior to train run, and assist railway conductors in activities en route. They are employed by railway transport companies.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • brakeman/woman
  • conductor - switching yard
  • freight train conductor
  • front-end brakeman/woman
  • passenger train conductor
  • railway conductor
  • road freight brakeman/woman
  • tail-end brakeman/woman

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Railway and yard locomotive engineers (See 73310 Railway and yard locomotive engineers)
  • Supervisors, railway transport operations (See 72023 Supervisors, railway transport operations)

• Main duties

  This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  Railway conductors

  • Supervise and coordinate the activities of passenger and freight train crew members (except locomotive engineers) to ensure train operations are in accordance with schedule, train orders and code of operating rules
  • Receive train orders and explain orders to brakemen/women, locomotive engineer and other crew members
  • Communicate with train crew members by radio, signals or by other means to give and receive train operation information
  • Collect fares on board passenger trains, announce approaching train stops and answer passenger enquiries
  • Prepare train run reports.

  Brakemen/women

  • Check train systems and equipment such as air conditioning and heating systems, brakes and brake hoses prior to train run
  • Communicate with train crew members by radio, signals or by other means to aid in the movement and operation of train
  • Receive orders from traffic controllers, observe signals and track conditions and open and close track switches
  • Set and release hand brakes and connect air brake hoses to couple and switch passenger or freight cars, making minor repairs to couplings, air hoses and wheel-bearing boxes as required
  • Assist in collecting fares and helping passengers on and off train.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Experience as a brakeman/woman is required for conductors.
  • Experience as a railway worker is usually required for brakemen/women.
  • Railway conductors require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.
  • Brakemen/women require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.

• Additional information

  • With experience, brakemen/women may progress to railway conductors.
  • With experience, railway conductors may progress to locomotive engineers.