Field: Service Sector

Review of Rail Operations qualifications

National Certificate in Rail Operations (Passenger Services) (Level 2) with an optional strand in Train Management [Ref: 1682]

National Certificate in Rail Operations (Locomotive Engineer) with strands in Network Freight Train, Network Passenger Train, and Network Multiple Unit/Railcar [Ref: 1109]

Competenz, the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for the Engineering, Manufacturing, Baking and Food and Beverage Manufacturing industries, led a review under the NZQA Targeted Review of Qualifications process of the qualifications listed above.

Date new versions published                                                                             Month 2015

The next qualification review is planned to take place during 2020.

Summary of review and consultation process

A review of the qualifications in rail operations involved three distinct groups: passenger operations, electric motorised unit (EMU) drivers and locomotive drivers.  A Governance group provided guidance in developing a qualification framework for the rail sector. Technical working groups reviewed the skills and knowledge requirements of the roles for which the qualifications were developed and contributed to the development of the specific qualifications and relevant strands.  A mix of industry representatives took part at each of these levels.

Two technical working groups were involved to represent the different companies and different roles within the industry.  The wider sector was given the opportunity to review and provide feedback through the Competenz TRoQ website page and e-mail distribution lists.

Main changes resulting from the review

The Passenger Services qualification has been replaced by a Level 3 qualification designed specifically for train managers. The level of the Locomotive Engineer has been confirmed at Level 4 and the qualification title and strands have been changed to improve clarity and align to current operational practice.

National Certificate in Rail Operations (Passenger Services) (Level 2) with an optional strand in Train Management [Ref: 1682]

replaced by

New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Train Manager) (Level 3) [Ref: 2885]

Review category

C

See  Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

National Certificate in Rail Operations (Locomotive Engineer) with strands in Network Freight Train, Network Passenger Train, and Network Multiple Unit/Railcar [Ref:1109]

replaced by

New Zealand Certificate in Rail Operations (Train Driver) (Level 4) with strands in Electric Multiple Unit and Locomotive [Ref: 2886]

Review category

C

See Key to Qualification Review Categories at the end of report

Transition

The replacement qualifications are substantially different in design to the replaced qualifications.  The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2016.  The last date to meet the requirements of the replaced qualifications is 31 December 2018 at which point the qualifications will be designated discontinued.

It is recommended candidates currently enrolled in programmes leading to either replaced qualification complete their existing programme by 31 December 2018.  They may, however, choose to transfer into a programme leading to the respective replacement qualifications.

Please note that the replaced Ref: 1109 contains standards that have expired and have been replaced by other standards.  For the purposes of this qualification people who have gained credit for the replacement standard are exempt from the requirement to gain credit for the replaced standard – see table below.

Credit for	Exempt from
28012	19392

It is anticipated that no existing candidates will be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements.  However, anyone who feels that they have been disadvantaged may appeal to Competenz at the address below.  Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Competenz, PO Box 9005, Newmarket, Auckland 1149

Key to Qualification Review Categories

Category A The qualification is published as a new version with the same NZQF ID	Changes are made to SSB name, contact details or purpose statement
	No change is made to title, rules or components of the qualification
	No transition arrangements are required
Category B The qualification is published as a new version with the same NZQF ID	Changes are made to title, rules or components
	The new version of the qualification recognises a similar skill set to that recognised by the previous version
	The SSB is confident that people awarded the new or previous version are comparable in terms of competence
	Transition arrangements are required if candidates must gain additional/different credits for the new version
Category C A new (replacement) qualification is published with new NZQF ID	Significant changes are made to the qualification in terms of components, structure, type or level
	The SSB views people with the replacement qualification as being significantly different in terms of competence from those with the replaced qualification
	Transition arrangements are required
	Transition may be limited to phase-out dates
Category D Qualification will expire. There is no replacement qualification	Qualification is no longer required by industry
	The qualification is designated as expiring and a last date for meeting the qualification requirements is set