Seen in the Press
RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRACKS
Dakota County Technical College offers new railway conductor certificate program
Pam Rutyna , THISWEEK Newspapers November 4, 2005
In the past, it wasn’t unusual to see student semi-truck drivers practicing their turns and parking in the back of Dakota County Technical College (DCTC).
However, with the addition of a new railway conductor certificate program at the college, common sights and sounds now include a train whistle and rail cars moving down a quarter-mile track.
The program was created after numerous rail companies in Minnesota, such as Canadian Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific began looking for conductors.
With more than 40 percent of the work force retiring in the near future and a projected 50 percent increase in commerce over the next decade, the rail companies were eager for new faces.
“There are three other colleges in the U.S., that offer this course,” said Larry Raddatz, customized training coordinator for the program. “But these companies need to hire 100 conductors each year in Minnesota alone, and they were unable to attract candidates to the state from the other schools.”
In order to provide these employers with certified conductors, several local colleges sent in proposals at the beginning of 2004. In February, DCTC learned it would become the first school in the state to offer the program.
In August, Minnesota Job Skills Partnership awarded DCTC with a $350,000 grant, which allowed the college to purchase the necessary equipment for the training.
In addition, the rail companies provided more than $1 million in equipment, classroom materials and curriculum development.
After months of preparation, the first class began Sept. 6 with 18 students in attendance.The all-male class ranged in age from 18 to 53, and included Northwest Airlines mechanics. A second session began in October, with another full class.
“We keep the class size to 18 because of safety reasons on the trains,” said Raddatz. “The size is also perfect for the student-teacher ratio.”
While the majority of the classes are male, Raddatz is currently working with local organizations in attempts to draw more females to the program.
While in the course, the students first complete a one-week orientation, which is followed by five weeks of classroom work. The students also gain hands-on experience on the outside rail tracks, which were installed in October.
The program teaches the students the specific responsibilities that are required for operating the train, such as interpreting and executing proper signaling; coupling and uncoupling cars; signaling to crew members; and performing all of these duties while on and off moving and stationary equipment.
“This course is all scenario-based training,” said Raddatz. “The students learn about different scenarios and then they come out to the rail yard and perform them.”
Upon graduation, many of the students have an opportunity to be hired from the national rail way chains, as well as some of the regional and short lines. “In our September class, we had three companies visit the campus to interview the students,” said Raddatz. “By the time they graduated on Friday, many of them were starting work the following Monday.”
The future is looking bright for the program, with a full class already scheduled for January and spots filling up for the March session.
“The railway seems to be making a resurgence,” said Raddatz. “Since it’s an inexpensive and efficient mode of transportation, more and more companies are using it to haul their products. We’re happy to finally be able to train certified conductors to fill the vacancies in Minnesota.”
Pam Rutyna is at rosemount.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.