For many young folks, running a train is way up there in career choices with fire-fighter, veterinarian and others, but not that many have a clear path to the career—but now Japan and the Netherlands are offering new chances.
Japan’s ‘drive-a-train’ promotion is part of the 150th anniversary celebration of Japan’s railways, and comes complete with a hotel suite. In the Netherlands, the approach is a bit more utilitarian: a trainer/simulator mounted in a rail car and sent around the country to find new workers to fill its many vacancies for engineers and conductors.
NS, the Dutch rail operator, is actively seeking recruits; it’s already had to cut some service for lack of staff. Training a driver takes a year; ticket-collectors can be on the job in five months. NS has only 200 applicants so far for its 500 vacancies, and is hoping the simulator will drum up more interest.
Japan Railways has taken a different approach; working with a hotel chain, it has equipped rooms with the same training units it uses for new staff, including live footage taken during runs on either the Keihin Tohoku line or the Hachiko line. The experience will be available through Sept. 30 at four hotels.
