Transnet Freight Rail Train Assistant Traineeships 2025
Transnet Freight Rail invites South African unemployed graduates to apply for Train Assistant Traineeship Programme 2025.
Closing date for internship application: Not specified
Internship Location: Beaufort West, South Africa
Job Objective:
Assist the Train Driver with the safe and environmentally friendly management/handling of more than a few types of trains/locomotives (air brake, vacuum, high speed, heavy duty and passenger) to ensure that the customers’ freight/cargo reaches its destination in suitable condition, on time, meeting customer requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
Pre-trip Preparation and Duties:
Sign on duty at the specific administrative center and be assigned responsibilities for the shift.
Determine which locomotive to prepare, harvest and rig essential equipment, and ensure the working environment is clean.
Assist with starting locomotives, brake tests, and coupling locomotives.
Ensure acceptable functioning of verbal exchange instruments such as radios, cell phones, or walkie-talkies.
Perform pre-trip assessments to ensure roadworthiness, compliance with security regulations, and practice for departure (e.g., attach/detach vehicles, mount telemeters, complete car lists).
Shunting and Train Handling:
Perform shunting duties to be performed in accordance with instructions to ensure safe work procedures.
Perform duties such as placing/removing vehicles and updating car lists.
Assists in the safe movement of the instruction from the starting factor to the destination, ensuring there are no delays or damage to equipment.
Observes indicators and verbal comparisons with the train driver, patrols locomotives, and resets excursions.
Safety and Incident Management:
Protect the teachers from incidents and assist the train driver in emergencies.
Ensure compliance with security requirements and document any deviations or incidents along the route.
Administration:
Complete the assignment journal and post it to the Divisional Manager for timely and correct profit processing.
Qualifications and experience:
Educational requirements:
Grade 12 with Pure Mathematics and/or Physical Science.
Other requirements:
Physical requirements: Minimum height of 1.6m. Physically fit (verified by clinical tests) and potential to lift heavy objects.
Psychomotor skills: To be assessed by Vienna Testing System (VTS).
Medical and safety assessment: Periodic clinical surveillance, protective behaviour hazard assessments, hearing, vision, intellectual health (must be proven by tests).
Functional Training:
Be willing to undertake Train Assistant duties training (theoretical and practical) to work independently as a licensed Train Assistant.
Age Requirement: Candidates under the age of 21 are no longer eligible to undertake Train Driver or Train Control duties.
Competencies:
Knowledge:
Communication systems, depot layout, locomotive instructions and equipment, teaching work rules, shunting procedures and protection policies.
Understanding of TFR policies, first aid, the Health and Safety Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and SANS 3004 (Human Factors).
Skills:
Locomotive coupling and uncoupling, locomotive preparations (electric and diesel), shunting, and teaching management skills.
Strong time management, stress management, literacy, communication and reasoning skills.
Ability to solve problems, handle electric and diesel locomotives, and exercise good judgment.
Stockholding:
Preference will be given to suitably certified candidates from different companies in line with the Employment Equity Plan and targets of Transnet Freight Rail.
How to Apply:
Ensure that your software is submitted before the closing date. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that HR receives the tool on time.