Rail Vehicle Technology

WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

Occupation description and WSOS

The name of the skill competition is

Description of the associated work role(s) or occupation(s)

Rail transit for both goods and people is a vast, globally significant sector. As need and demand for sustainable forms of transit grow, the potential for rail to replace less energy-efficient transportation is increasing. The transition will drive significant innovation as a result. Rail transit is efficient, environmentally friendly, and enhances the travel experience and quality of life. Renowned for its safety, convenience, punctuality, and speed, rail is the world’s most green transportation system.

Maintenance is a critical aspect of rail transit operations and the focus of rail vehicle technology occupation. Modern rail vehicles utilize integrated technologies, requiring maintenance technicians to have diverse skills and expertise.

The role of a rail vehicle technician comprises vehicle inspection, installation and commissioning, operation data analysis, health status assessment, and fault handling. To ensure the safe operation of all vehicle systems, rail vehicle technicians must be capable of handling emergency faults and addressing unexpected incidents within the specified time, and they should also be able to take preventive measures to maintain the continuity of services.

Rail vehicle maintenance requires technicians to have proficient individual operation skills and good teamwork abilities in order to jointly complete mechanical and electrical tasks of the vehicle. They need to perform maintenance and commissioning of vehicle systems such as the high-voltage current collection and traction system, air supply and brake system, door system, bogie system, passenger information system, lighting system, auxiliary power supply system, heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HAVC), and train control and management system (TCMS), aiming to ensure the safety, efficiency and economic benefits of vehicle operation.

Excellent rail vehicle technicians should have comprehensive knowledge, understanding, and expertise relevant to rail vehicles. They must grasp the structure, working principles, and industry standards of vehicle components and control systems. As their work progresses, staying current with the development of emerging rail vehicle technologies is crucial. They should contribute their specialized expertise to enhanced team performance. These requirements drive them to continuously upgrade their skills to cope with more complex tasks.

With further professional development, a capable and dedicated rail vehicle technician can achieve promotions in the global rail transit industry, which highlights the significance of the industry and innovation within it.

The WorldSkills Occupational Standards (WSOS)

General notes on the WSOS

The WSOS specifies the knowledge, understanding, skills, and capabilities that underpin international best practice in technical and vocational performance. These are both specific to an occupational role and also transversal. Together they should reflect a shared global understanding of what the associated work role(s) or occupation(s) represent for industry and business (www.worldskills.org/WSOS).

The skill competition is intended to reflect international best practice as described by the WSOS, to the extent that it can. The Standard is therefore a guide to the required training and preparation for the skill competition.

In the skill competition the assessment of knowledge and understanding will take place through the assessment of performance. There will only be separate tests of knowledge and understanding where there is an overwhelming reason for these.

The Standard is divided into distinct sections with headings and reference numbers added.

Each section is assigned a percentage of the total marks to indicate its relative importance within the Standards. This is often referred to as the “weighting”. The sum of all the percentage marks is 100. The weightings determine the distribution of marks within the Marking Scheme.

Through the Test Project, the Marking Scheme will assess only those skills and capabilities that are set out in the WorldSkills Occupational Standards. They will reflect the Standards as comprehensively as possible within the constraints of the skill competition.

The Marking Scheme will follow the allocation of marks within the Standards to the extent practically possible. A variation of up to five percent is allowed, if this does not distort the weightings assigned by the Standards.

WorldSkills Occupational Standards

Section		Relative importance (%)
1	Work organization and management	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: Rail vehicle manuals Health and safety legislation, obligations and documentation Approved manuals, and data from manufacturers and government Situations where personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used Safety protection measures for the on-site working environment The purposes, uses, care, and safe storage of materials Sustainability measures relating to the use of environmentally friendly materials, minimization of waste, and recycling of materials Principles of workflow, time management, measurement, and cost analysis The importance of researching, planning, accuracy, checking, and attention to detail in all working practices The importance of teamwork, strengths and limitations of team members, and how to organize teams to optimize the available resources The importance of completing tasks in accordance with the technical standards of International Union of Railways (UIC)
	The individual shall be able to: Consistently and diligently follow health and safety standards, rules and regulations Identify and use appropriate personal protective equipment Organize site protection measures and ensure the safety of the work environment for staff and customers Apply professional skills to each assignment Select, use, clean, maintain, and store all tools, equipment and materials safely Plan work areas to maximize efficiency and sustainability Use the latest versions of approved manuals and data, and stay current with guidelines and procedures Establish and consistently maintain high quality operation standards when under pressure Ensure safe, successful completion of tasks within team environments to meet deadlines Efficiently manage resources and team efforts to achieve objectives
2	Communication and interpersonal skills	5
	The individual needs to know and understand: The importance of accurate written communication The significance of establishing and maintaining customer confidence The roles and responsibilities of related colleagues The value of building and maintaining productive working relationships The importance of developing and maintaining an industry- accepted attitude Interpersonal techniques for effective teamwork The importance of swiftly resolving misunderstandings and conflicting demands Human factors as they relate to work environments and standards
	The individual shall be able to: Interpret customer requirements and manage customer expectations positively Undertake investigative discussions to improve solutions and work efficiency Regularly inform/update planned maintenance procedures Coordinate schedules to optimize efficiency Reflect positively and respond constructively to feedback on own performance, and the performance of other team members Recognize and respond to the needs of support organizations, such as logistical suppliers and engineering authorities
3	Problem-solving, innovation, planning	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: The common types of problem which can occur within work processes The distinctions between sector or national standards, and international best practice Diagnostic approaches to problem solving The importance of following manufacturers’ most recent manuals and documents for problem-solving Trends and developments in the industry including new materials, methods, and technologies The importance of making safe, timely and cost-effective work plans in a team environment
	The individual shall be able to: Check work regularly to identify potential issues and take preventive measures Challenge incorrect instructions to maintain standards Use manufacturers’ latest maintenance manuals and documents and show resilience in solving complex problems Contribute ideas and suggestions to improve outcomes and overall customer satisfaction Show willingness to try new methods and embrace change Check one’s own and others’ work to ensure it meets best sustainability practice, given the environment and available resources
4	Vehicle mechanical part repair, maintenance, and commissioning	35
	The individual needs to know and understand: Standards of International Union of Railways (UIC) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Manufacturers’ maintenance manuals Mechanical basics and knowledge about materials, vehicles’ composition, structure, and motion principles Standards for checking, installation, commissioning, maintenance, and tests, of vehicle components Technology for repairing/manufacturing vehicle components Vehicle intelligent maintenance technology How and when to use tools and instruments How and when to inspect and update related material inventories Hazardous elements during work, and corresponding safety protection measures
	The individual shall be able to: Make and maintain personal and site safety protection based on the working conditions Read and use vehicle and parts structure diagrams, operation manuals, and maintenance manuals, as supplied by manufacturers Identify vehicle repair tools and materials, and use them to best effect Select and use correct and efficient inspection and maintenance measures according to maintenance manuals Identify vehicle parts defects and faults and fix them by using correct tools and methods Resolve unexpected abnormal conditions of vehicle mechanical components promptly and efficiently Test main vehicle parts’ mechanical motion, and adjust their motion and status parameters for optimal performance Use manufacturing technology to repair vehicle components Use intelligent technology for vehicle maintenance Make and maintain accurate work reports Dispose of waste safely and sustainably
5	Vehicle electrical systems care, maintenance, and testing	35
	The individual needs to know and understand: Standards of International Union of Railways (UIC) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Manufactures’ vehicle maintenance manuals Vehicle electrical system function test manuals Electrical basics and knowledge about materials Composition and principles of vehicle electrical system The structure of vehicle’s electrical equipment Vehicle electrical design, manufacturing, installation and wiring standards Vehicle electrical legends, icons and symbols Use of instruments and tools Vehicle intelligent detection technology Hazardous elements during electrical work, and corresponding safety protection measures
	The individual shall be able to: Take personal and site safety protection measures based on working conditions Read and use electrical systems’ schematic diagrams, assembly diagrams, wiring diagrams, layout diagrams, maintenance manuals, and so on, which are supplied by manufacturers Identify and optimize the use of vehicle electrical and electronic components Select and use vehicle electrical instruments (such as Ground Test Bench, and commissioning software.) and tools Select and use correct and effective inspection measures and maintenance methods Complete tasks in accordance with electrical design, manufacturing, installation and wiring standards Test the functions of the vehicle electrical systems and identify their working status Assess problems of vehicle electrical systems based on the actual operating environment and take corresponding measures Use intelligent technology for vehicle electrical testing Develop electric circuit optimization and testing manuals Save and reuse materials Make and maintain accurate work reports
6	Vehicle integrated commissioning, fault diagnosis and repair	10
	The individual needs to know and understand: Standards of International Union of Railways (UIC) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards, IEC 61375 standards, train network control system, and its data Manufacturers’ vehicle testing manuals Vehicle fault code list Vehicle network topology and subsystem node functions Vehicle subsystems’ composition, working principles, and control principles, mainly relating to: High voltage current collection and traction system Air supply and brake system Auxiliary power supply system Bogie system Door system Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system Train control and management system (TCMS) Fire alarm system Passenger information system Lighting system Vehicle network fault information Vehicle electrical legends, icons, and symbols Use of instruments and tools Vehicle intelligent detection technology Hazardous factors in electrical operations and corresponding safety protection measures
	The individual shall be able to: Read and use schematic diagrams, assembly diagrams, wiring diagrams, layout diagrams, maintenance manuals, etc. of electrical subsystems supplied by manufacturers Identify vehicle electrical components Carry out vehicle integrated commissioning and testing according to manuals to identify vehicle status Identify vehicle network status, download and analyze operation data, and locate fault ranges Troubleshoot and locate fault points, repair faults and verify that the vehicle has returned to normal status through tests, measurement, and other means Use intelligent technology for vehicle integrated commissioning and product lifecycle management Accurately record faults and repair results
	Total	100

References for industry consultation

General notes

WorldSkills is committed to ensuring that the WorldSkills Occupational Standards fully reflect the dynamism of internationally recognized best practice in industry and business. To do this WorldSkills approaches a number of organizations across the world that can offer feedback on the draft Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards on a two-yearly cycle.

In parallel to this, WSI consults three international occupational classifications and databases:

ISCO-08: (http://www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/stat/isco/isco08/)
ESCO: (https://ec.europa.eu/esco/portal/home )
O*NET OnLine (www.onetonline.org/)

References

This WSOS is for a junior version of a rolling stock engineering technician: http://data.europa.eu/ esco/occupation/0f2c04f1-9001-4a77-884f-1ea16949f6f6

and is closer to a rolling stock assembler: http://data.europa.eu/esco/occupation/839d738b-8b54-4408-868a-6d8af102d2de.

These links enable adjacent occupations to be explored.

ILO 8211 is the closest equivalent.

The following table indicates which organizations were approached and provided valuable feedback for the Description of the Associated Role and WorldSkills Occupational Standards in place for WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.

Organization	Contact name
Irish Rail	Conor Doolan, Apprentice development executive