rail traffic controllertotrain dispatcher
A rail traffic controller already meets 33% of what the train dispatcher role asks for. The move turns on 6 required skills not yet in the profile.
33%
60.7/ 100
1 Share of the train dispatcher role’s weighted skill requirement already met by the rail traffic controller 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.
Why this move works
A train dispatcher role treats 3 of its required skills as things a rail traffic controller already does. These are the ones it depends on most.
- handle stressful situations in the work place
- maintain computerised records of railway traffic
- monitor train schedules
What stands in the way is 6 required skills the profile does not yet cover. Table 3 groups them; Table 4 says which to take first.
Table 2 · What you already bring
Of the 6 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. A train dispatcher role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a rail traffic controller background worth leading with.
- already held monitor train schedules information skills
- already held maintain computerised records of railway traffic working with computers
- already held process data from railway control rooms information skills
- already held operate railway communication systems working with machinery and specialised equipment
- already held handle stressful situations in the work place management skills
- already held use different communication channels communication, collaboration and creativity
All 6 carried skills, including the 3 the train dispatcher role treats as required.
Table 3 · What you would need to learn
The 12 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.
- required, not held control train arrivals required
- required, not held monitor conditions affecting train movement required
- optional, not held analyse weather forecast optional
- required, not held control train departures required
- required, not held manage rail yard resources required
- required, not held shunt inbound loads required
- required, not held shunt outbound loads required
- optional, not held act reliably optional
- optional, not held liaise with colleagues optional
- optional, not held liaise with rail experts optional
- optional, not held perform services in a flexible manner optional
- optional, not held ensure compliance with railway regulation optional
Table 4 · Where to start
The 3 entries a train dispatcher role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.
- 01 control train arrivals skill · occupation specific
- 02 control train departures skill · occupation specific
- 03 monitor conditions affecting train movement skill · occupation specific
Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.
Appendix · The rest of the record
All 6 skills that carry over
- already held handle stressful situations in the work place skill
- already held maintain computerised records of railway traffic skill
- already held monitor train schedules skill
- already held operate railway communication systems skill
- already held process data from railway control rooms skill
- already held use different communication channels skill
6 supplementary skills, helpful but not required
- optional, not held ensure compliance with railway regulation optional
- optional, not held act reliably optional
- optional, not held analyse weather forecast optional
- optional, not held liaise with colleagues optional
- optional, not held liaise with rail experts optional
- optional, not held perform services in a flexible manner optional
19 held skills the train dispatcher role does not ask for
- not needed by the target role check for defects in railcars skill
- not needed by the target role determine train operational safety actions skill
- not needed by the target role maintain railway signal equipment skill
- not needed by the target role manage train working timetable skill
- not needed by the target role mark differences in colours skill
- not needed by the target role mechanics of trains knowledge
- not needed by the target role modern power signalling systems knowledge
- not needed by the target role operate LED-based panel signal boxes skill
- not needed by the target role operate train integrated electronic control centre skill
- not needed by the target role operate train signalling equipment skill
- not needed by the target role oversee operational safety on trains skill
- not needed by the target role oversee the daily train operations plan skill
- not needed by the target role provide information on train routes skill
- not needed by the target role react calmly in stressful situations skill
- not needed by the target role signal box parts knowledge
- not needed by the target role signal boxes knowledge
- not needed by the target role test railway signalling equipment skill
- not needed by the target role train planning knowledge
- not needed by the target role write signalling reports skill
Other moves recorded from rail traffic controller
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.