There is enough to fix the rail network, and tramways should be built as well. GRK's project manager Eija Laukkanen reflects on the adequacy of track experts.
Text: Anu-Liina Ginström, photo: Eija Laukkanen
1. There is a huge demand for track expertise - will it run out?
It is a danger. No educational institution trains installers directly in track construction or maintenance. Efforts are made to enter the profession through other basic degrees, learning on the job. When long-term track professionals retire and valuable know-how is lost, there are no replacement resources ready.
2. What skills are most needed?
Competence is needed equally in all sectors. I myself have noticed challenges in finding installer-level workers in particular. Safety equipment installers are available to people with a bachelor's degree in electricity and automation, who will learn the profession through the job and the safety equipment installer's qualification training. The situation is weaker in the installation of track superstructures. It is also sometimes difficult to get qualified personnel for management positions.
3. How will the skills shortage be solved?
More cooperation between companies and educational institutions is needed: theory, basics and IT skills from school, practice in the company. Now, training is largely the responsibility of employers and educational institutions offering track maintenance qualification training. The education programs of educational institutions in the infrastructure field do not take railway construction into account; there is no specific field of study, and optional studies are also rare. There have been workforce trainings in cooperation between the employer and the training institution and some apprenticeship training agreements. A few universities offer courses in the field of railways. More supply is needed.
4. To what extent could qualification training correct the situation?
Several training institutions offer track maintenance qualification training in accordance with the competence and qualification requirements of the state railway network operator. They are not professional qualifications, but only show the mastery of certain job qualifications needed for railway work. Some qualifications are only obtained after years of work experience. There has been a clear tightening of qualification requirements; it is more difficult to get into training and more work experience may be required. The strictures ensure a starting level for training, but can also make it more difficult to obtain a qualification. The industry's wish is also to restore the exchange qualification to its own qualification.