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The B.C. Institute of Technology (BCIT) recently graduated its first group of students in a railway conductor program.

BCIT offers the program in Vancouver, British Columbia, in partnership with the Railway Association of Canada. Several of the 14 graduates have already obtained jobs in the Canadian railroad industry, which employs about 40,000 people. Conductors earn an annual salary between $35,000 and $40,000.

The 32-week program offers classroom instruction on switching and moving rail cars, making or splitting train consists, yard operations and operating rules. The course also provides students hands-on training sessions at a nearby rail yard.

Canadian National Railway Co., Canadian Pacific Railway, BC Rail Ltd., Trans Canada Switching, Southern Rail Yard and Burlington Northern Santa Fe have donated resources to BCIT for the program.