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Conducting your railway career

The BCIT School of Transportation offers railway training for students looking for an exciting career with excellent job security and great benefits. Whether you’ve always been fascinated by trains or you’re just starting to explore your career options, our railway job training program can help you get started. From safety protocols to equipment maintenance, we cover all the essentials to prepare you for a successful railway career.

The School of Transportation has been delivering education in the railway sector for over 15 years. We are one of only three colleges in Canada that offers this type of training, however we are the only college that has a certified industrial railway (BC) with the Minister’s operating certificate.

Key features of our facility include:

  • BCIT’s own dedicated and secure industrial railway yard for students / trainees to perform railway practical tasks
  • Over 1650 feet of secure track, with four different switches, GP9 locomotive, a rail car mover and a fleet of rail cars

For more information

Discover the answers to your burning questions by watching the video below, where a recent information session has been recorded:

Associate Certificate

Railway Conductor & Operations

The Railway Conductor and Operations program is designed for students seeking a career in the railway industry. This 3-course Associate Certificate program focuses on practical skills required for employment within many industrial, short line operators and grants the qualifications required to work in a class 1 railway. Students will gain hands-on experience in our dedicated rail yard to expand their understanding of freight/passenger equipment handling, switching cars, making or splitting up trains, or moving cars, sidings, or tracks according to instructions originating with yard, train planners, radio procedures and railway safety.

Find out more

Featured courses

Railway and Rail Yard Employment Skills

RAIL 1001

Gain the knowledge and practical skills required for employment within the many industrial railway, short line and railway supplier environments.

  • 5 weeks, flexible learning

More information

Canadian Rail Operating Rules Certification

RAIL 1010

This course will provide the full Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) that governs federally regulated railway operations in Canada.

  • 3 weeks, flexible learning

More information

Railway Conductor & Operations

RAIL 1020

This is an advanced course in railway operations, covering the important skills and knowledge essential for employment as a railway conductor.

  • 5 weeks, flexible learning

More information


Additional railway courses

Everything from railway culture, safety, transportation of dangerous goods, air brakes, and non-main track industrial rules.

In addition to the following flexible learning courses, customized flexible learning courses may be arranged.


Read about how our railway program is creating opportunities for Indigenous learners

View blog post

Upcoming info sessions