The aim of the Digirail project is to ensure that the European Train Control System (ETCS) is successfully deployed throughout the railway sector. The development of training models and curricula for Finland’s first commercial railway track section (EKA) has been an extensive and step-by-step process, with an emphasis on collaboration between industry stakeholders.
Outlining the competence needs – the first steps in planning
In early 2024, preliminary curricula were drawn up for a total of 11 different professional roles. The 2023 training needs analysis was utilised in developing the preliminary curricula. Evaluating competence needs for the future proved to be a challenging task, as at this stage no one had a clear picture of what the change would mean for the different professional groups from a technical and operative point of view.
“The main role of the preliminary curricula was to prepare for the debate on training models, as without any document it would have been challenging for organisations to understand the nature of the change in competence needs. The preliminary plan responded well to this purpose,” says Jaana Koivuniemi, the expert who prepared the 2023 training needs analysis.
Decision-making regarding the choice of training models
Development work on the EKA training models started with workshops to identify the needs of different professional groups. Analysis of the workshop outputs and feedback from the participants guided the professional groups’ choice of training models. The decision-making process was phased, as, for example, the selection of the training model for maintenance operators was postponed due to a change of maintenance operator in the region. It was felt that the decision needed to be made only after there was a chance to have a discussion with the new operator.
Finally, the model for training internal instructors was chosen as the training model for traffic management, as in this model, the organisations train their own staff based on the training of trainers provided by Digirail. The training of transport companies and maintenance operators will be carried out using a hybrid model, combining outsourced training and internal training through the model for training internal instructors.
Refining of the curricula
In spring 2025, the curricula were updated to 1.0 versions, which were significantly refined in their content.
“When participating in this work, it was great to see how much ETCS knowledge and the understanding of the impact of change had increased over the past couple of years, not only within the project, but also among industry stakeholders,” says Koivuniemi.
In updating the curricula, the plans were tailored to support the training models previously chosen. In the end, the Digirail project finalised three curricula for the EKA training needs: traffic management, train driver and safety equipment maintenance. The sector organisations may, if they wish, develop curricula tailored to the different professional groups on the basis of the model for training internal instructors.
Looking to the future
The development of Digirail’s training models and curricula has been a learning journey, with a focus on collaboration and ensuring the required competence for needs of the future. Interaction will continue to be a priority as training materials will be developed in the coming year with strong stakeholder engagement. The goal is a safe and competent railway sector in the ETCS era.