Rail

Click to view the training pathways from Level 2 to Level 4 for Rail trainees.

These qualifications are for people looking to move into or already employed in the rail transport industry. The skills and training required differ depending on which area of the Rail industry a person wishes to specialise in.


People are always needed to drive locomotives for either freight or passenger services. But there's also opportunities for those looking for more 'hands-on' work maintaining the tracks, signals and other structures that we rely on for our Rail networks to run smoothly across New Zealand.

Once you've completed your Level 4 training in this industry, you can expect to earn between $35,000 - $50,000 per year to start with. Pay increases come as you gain more experience and seniority in this industry.

The Level 2 Rail Transport qualification is designed for people entering a career in rail transport and provides recognition of competency in a range of basic skills required by anyone in the rail transport industry.

The Level 3 Rail Infrastructure qualification provides recognition for a broad range of competencies related to the maintenance of tracks, structures and signals within the rail transport industry.

The Level 4 Rail Operations qualifications are designed to recognise the skills and knowledge required to operate as a Locomotive Engineer in the haulage of freight and passenger trains. These qualifications provide a foundation of core skills and knowledge including workplace health and safety and emergency response units, communication units and rail industry specific units.

The Level 4 Rail Operations qualifications have a compulsory rail operations section, and a core elective section with two additional elective sections. The additional electives provide options for candidates to demonstrate competence using signalling and track control systems when operating in their geographical area, or for recognition of specialist and in depth skills and knowledge relating to network passenger and freight trains.

Click here for more info on the Level 2 National Certificate in Rail Transport

Click here for more info on the Level 3 National Certificate in Rail Infrastructure

Click here for more info on the Level 4 National Certificate in Rail Operations (Locomotive Engineer-Network Freight Train)

Click here for more info on the Level 4 National Certificate in Rail Operations (Locomotive Engineer-Network Passenger Train)

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