Halfweg, South Africa
req4845
Posted on: 21/04/2026
Trainee Train Assistant
- Operating Division: Transnet Freight Rail
- Employee Group: Trainee
- Department: OP-COR-EXEC-TCM-Support-HWO
- Location: Halfweg
- Reporting To: Section Manager: Train Traffic
- Grade: SSTP
- Reference: req4845
The closing date is on . It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that HR has received the application before the closing date of the advertisement.
Position Purpose
Assist the Train Driver in the safe and efficient driving/handling of all different types of trains/locomotives consists (airbrake, vacuum, high speed, heavy haul and passengers) to ensure that the customers freight/cargo reaches its destination in good condition, on time, in order to enable the organisation to satisfy the customer needs.
Position Outputs
- Sign on duty at designated workplace and be allocated duties to be performed for the duration of the shift.
- Determine which locomotive to be prepared
- Obtain and place equipment on locomotive
- Check and supplement prescribed equipment
- Clean working area
- Assist with starting up of locomotive as prescribed
- Assist with locomotive brake tests
- Couple locomotive
- Sign on duty
- Despatch locomotive
- Prepare locomotives
- Determine which locomotive to be prepared
- Obtain and place equipment on locomotive
- Check and supplement prescribed equipment
- Clean working area
- Assist with starting up of locomotives as prescribed
- Assist with locomotive brake tests
- Prepare communication equipment
- Obtain radios/handsets/walkie talkie/telemeters when applicable
- Check functionality of communication equipment
- Performs the pre-trip preparation of the locomotives and the whole train prior the departure to adhere to roadworthiness and train working rules and safety standards
- Attach/detach vehicles according to works order in absence of guard personnel
- Mount telemeters where necessary
- Complete vehicle list and vacuum form
- Mount train indicators
- Examine train
- Do brake test in conjunction with train driver
- Execute shunting activities in sidings and enroute according to directives to enhance safe working procedures
- Obtain works order
- Perform shunting/placing/removing of trucks as per works order
- Update vehicle list
- Place and clear load/empty trucks at siding
- Assist the train driver enroute to ensure the safe movement of the train from a required point to the destination, without delays or damage to locomotives, wagons, infrastructure track and other equipment, to ensure predictable service
- Verbally compare signal positions and display with train driver
- Observe proceeding trains patrol locomotives
- Reset locomotive trip outs
- Observe safe running of train
- Protect train during incidents
- Assist Train Driver during emergency circumstances
- Comply to safety standards and laid down instruction to ensure that he is well motivated and competent
- Provide accurate feedback timeously to the Train Driver regarding any incidents and deviations along the route
- Assist in performing various administration duties
- Complete the Train journal and submit to the Section Manager at sign-off after every shift to ensure timeous and accurate processing of monthly salary
Qualifications and Experience
Educational Requirements
- Grade 12 with pure Mathematics and/or Physical Science
Other Requirements
- Be prepared to undergo periodic medical surveillance and safety behavioral risk assessments during the selection process and every 12 months
- Physical hearing, vision, mental, fitness (to be verified through medical tests and related safety behavioral risk assessments)
- The operator shall not allow employees younger than 21 years of age to undertake Train driver or train control duties (SANS 3000, par 6.2.6.8)
Minimum Trainee Pre-Requisite
- The candidate should be a minimum of 1.6m tall
- Psychomotor ability (to be assessed through Vienna Testing System (VTS standards)
- Ability to carry heavy objects
Functional Training
- Be prepared to successfully undergo Train Assistant duties (theoretical and practical) so as to be certified to work independently as a Train Assistant
- Be willing, prepared and capable to obtain a Train Assistant duties certificate (theoretical and practical) successfully and be certified to work independently as Train Assistant
Other Requirements
- Be prepared to undergo periodic medical surveillance and safety behavioural risk assessments during the selection process and every 12 months
- Physical, hearing, vision, and mental fitness (to be verified through medical tests and related Safety Behavioural Risk Assessment)
Competencies
Knowledge
- Various communications systems
- Depot layout
- Locomotive classes
- Locomotive equipment
- Route/road
- Sections/stations and sidings
- Signing on duty procedures
- Train working rules
- Trip report
- Yard and siding layout
- Knowledge of general TFR policies
- Shunting procedures
- Locomotive classes and their hauling capacities, constraints on the particular territory
- Health and Safety Act 85
- First Aid
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA)
- SANS 3004 (Human Factors)
- HC Policies and procedures
- Train service/ITP
- Training workings
- Substance Abuse policy and procedures
Skills Required
a) Locomotive coupling and uncoupling
b) Locomotive preparations (Electrical and Diesel)
c) Observation
d) Shunting movement
e) Train handling skills
f) Time management
g) Stress handling
h) Assessment
i) Literacy
j) Communication
k) Judgement
l) Reasoning
m) Psychomotor skills (reactions/coordination)
n) Concentration
o) Observation
p) Spatial
q) Depth perception psychomotor
r) Numerical
s) Train/locomotive handling and preparation
t) Problem solving
u) Electrical and diesel locomotive driving
Attributes
- Stress handling
- Self-management
- Safety conscious
- Punctual
- Willing to work shifts
- Results orientated
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