Table 1Transition record

rail layertotunnel boring machine operator

A rail layer already meets 50% of what the tunnel boring machine operator role asks for. The move turns on 7 required skills not yet in the profile.

From rail layer

50%

Overlap1

To tunnel boring machine operator

13 Skills carried over

7 Required, not held

53.6 Difficulty2

adjacent 0–30

moderate 30–55

substantial 55–75

career change 75–100

this move, 53.6

This move: 53.6 of 100 · moderate

1 Share of the tunnel boring machine operator role’s weighted skill requirement already met by the rail layer profile. Required skills count in full, supplementary skills at 0.35. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs. 2 Combines what is missing with how specialised it is, so a gap of general skills scores easier than the same number of narrow ones.

Table 2

Table 2 · What you already bring

Of the 13 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A tunnel boring machine operator role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a rail layer background worth leading with.

Skill the target role also needs Area

already held machinery load capacity engineering, manufacturing and construction
already held keep heavy construction equipment in good condition constructing
already held drive mobile heavy construction equipment working with machinery and specialised equipment
already held mechanical systems engineering, manufacturing and construction
already held set up temporary construction site infrastructure constructing
already held react to events in time-critical environments communication, collaboration and creativity

All 13 carried skills, including the 7 the tunnel boring machine operator role treats as required.

Table 3

Table 3 · What you would need to learn

The 13 missing skills fall into 5 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered below in the order worth working in: the areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the supplementary ones.

Skill to acquire Tier

01 working with machinery and specialised equipment 4 required, 4 supplementary

required, not held drive tunnel boring machine required
required, not held operate theodolite required
required, not held switch tunnel boring machine modes required
required, not held tend boring machine required

optional, not held determine tunnel boring machine speed optional
optional, not held monitor tunnel boring machine supplies optional
optional, not held coordinate drilling optional
optional, not held operate excavator optional

02 engineering, manufacturing and construction 1 required, 1 supplementary

required, not held tunnel boring machine console required

optional, not held electricity optional

03 constructing 1 required

required, not held install tunnel segments required

04 management skills 1 required

required, not held prevent damage to utility infrastructure required

05 information skills 1 supplementary

optional, not held monitor excavated material optional

Table 4

Table 4 · Where to start

The 3 entries a tunnel boring machine operator role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.

Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 13 skills that carry over

Skill Type

already held follow health and safety procedures in construction skill
already held mechanical systems knowledge
already held mechanics knowledge
already held react to events in time-critical environments skill
already held transport construction supplies skill
already held use safety equipment in construction skill
already held work ergonomically skill
already held drive mobile heavy construction equipment skill
already held keep heavy construction equipment in good condition skill
already held keep personal administration skill
already held machinery load capacity knowledge
already held set up temporary construction site infrastructure skill
already held work in a construction team skill

6 supplementary skills, helpful but not required

Skill to acquire Tier

optional, not held determine tunnel boring machine speed optional
optional, not held monitor excavated material optional
optional, not held monitor tunnel boring machine supplies optional
optional, not held coordinate drilling optional
optional, not held operate excavator optional
optional, not held electricity optional

29 held skills the tunnel boring machine operator role does not ask for

Skill Type

not needed by the target role apply arc welding techniques skill
not needed by the target role apply spot welding techniques skill
not needed by the target role apply thermite welding techniques skill
not needed by the target role coordinate construction activities skill
not needed by the target role ensure rail tracks remain clear skill
not needed by the target role health and safety hazards underground knowledge
not needed by the target role inspect construction supplies skill
not needed by the target role inspect railways visually skill
not needed by the target role install railway detectors skill
not needed by the target role keep records of work progress skill
not needed by the target role maintain rail infrastructure skill
not needed by the target role monitor ballast regulator skill
not needed by the target role monitor rail laying machine skill
not needed by the target role monitor rail pickup machine skill
not needed by the target role monitor tamping car skill
not needed by the target role operate grappler skill
not needed by the target role operate rail grinder skill
not needed by the target role operate sleeper clipping unit skill
not needed by the target role pave asphalt layers skill
not needed by the target role perform drainage work skill
not needed by the target role pour concrete skill
not needed by the target role process incoming construction supplies skill
not needed by the target role rail infrastructure knowledge
not needed by the target role recognise signs of corrosion skill
not needed by the target role rig loads skill
not needed by the target role screed concrete skill
not needed by the target role secure working area skill
not needed by the target role use measurement instruments skill
not needed by the target role work trains knowledge

2 gaps that are knowledge rather than practice

Knowledge gaps usually close through study. Practical skill gaps usually need something you can point at.

Skill to acquire Tier

required, not held tunnel boring machine console required
optional, not held electricity optional

Index

Other moves recorded from rail layer

Full index of moves from rail layer

Note

How this record was compiled

Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.