72604

Railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators

TEER 2 — College diploma, apprenticeship (2+ yrs) or supervisory

Express Entry skill level: Yes
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Trades, transport & equipment operators

7 › 72 › 726 › 7260

Definition

Railway traffic controllers coordinate passenger and freight train traffic on railways. They are employed by rail transport companies. Marine traffic regulators monitor and regulate coastal and inland marine traffic within assigned waterways. They are employed by port, harbour, canal and lock authorities and by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Railway traffic controllers
Operate and monitor centralized traffic control systems to coordinate and follow railway traffic
Chart train movements, calculate arrival and departure times and record rail traffic information
Issue instructions to control the movement of passenger and freight train traffic and on-track mobile maintenance equipment
Receive, record and relay train instructions to train crew by hand or radio telephone
May supervise and train other railway traffic controllers.
Marine traffic regulators
Direct and monitor vessel movements using radar or closed circuit monitors, remote radio systems and other telecommunication equipment
Obtain position, course, speed and estimated arrival time of vessels and monitor vessel progress through traffic zone
Issue clearance instructions to vessels, advise vessels of traffic volumes and weather conditions, and relay information to next marine traffic control sector
Report accidents, distress signals, navigational hazards and other emergencies to authorities
Maintain radio and telephone contact with adjacent marine control sectors and with vessels within area of jurisdiction
Maintain log of vessel movements, size and structure.

Example job titles

•chief rail traffic controller
•marine traffic regulator
•rail traffic controller
•train operator

Overview

NOC 72604 encompasses railway traffic controllers and marine traffic regulators, which are categorized under TEER 2 in Canada's NOC 2021 system. Railway traffic controllers are responsible for coordinating and controlling passenger and freight train traffic on designated railway networks. Marine traffic regulators monitor, regulate, and direct marine vessel movements within designated Canadian waters and traffic zones to ensure safe and efficient transit. Because this is classified as a TEER 2 skilled occupation, qualified professionals in this field may be eligible for Canadian permanent residency pathways such as the Express Entry system, specifically the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

To meet the employment requirements set by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), candidates typically require completion of secondary school. For railway traffic controllers, several years of experience in railway operations, along with a high school diploma and specialized company training, are standard requirements. Marine traffic regulators must complete a specialized Marine Traffic Regulator training program, usually administered by the Canadian Coast Guard, and hold a valid Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC-MC). Standard duties include operating radio and traffic control systems, monitoring vessel or train locations, communicating safety instructions, and responding to emergency situations according to strict safety protocols.

Prospective immigrants with experience in NOC 72604 can leverage their experience for various Canadian immigration programs. In addition to the federal Express Entry streams, many provinces offer pathways under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) for skilled workers with valid job offers or in-demand experience in transit and maritime regulations. Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official and up-to-date guidance, please consult Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) or a regulated Canadian Regulated Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.