Table 1Transition record

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.

From rail traffic controller

33%

Overlap1

To train dispatcher

6 Skills carried over

6 Required, not held

60.7 Difficulty2

adjacent 0–30

moderate 30–55

substantial 55–75

career change 75–100

this move, 60.7

This move: 60.7 of 100 · substantial

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.

Table 2

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.

Skill the target role also needs Area

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

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.

Skill to acquire Tier

01 information skills 2 required, 1 supplementary

required, not held control train arrivals required
required, not held monitor conditions affecting train movement required

optional, not held analyse weather forecast optional

02 management skills 2 required

required, not held control train departures required
required, not held manage rail yard resources required

03 working with machinery and specialised equipment 2 required

required, not held shunt inbound loads required
required, not held shunt outbound loads required

04 communication, collaboration and creativity 4 supplementary

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

05 assisting and caring 1 supplementary

optional, not held ensure compliance with railway regulation optional

Table 4

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.

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

Appendix

Appendix · The rest of the record

All 6 skills that carry over

Skill Type

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

Skill to acquire Tier

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

Skill Type

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

Index

Other moves recorded from rail traffic controller

Full index of moves from rail traffic controller

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.