The training takes 15 months. During the training period, you will be employed by SBB and receive a wage. You will sit a theory and practical competency exam set by the Federal Office of Transport at the end of the course.

As a budding engine driver, you will be an independent, conscientious and balanced individual with quick reactions.

You will also meet the following requirements:

• This demanding job requires you to be a conscientious and reliable team player who is willing to work in shifts covering 24-hour periods. 
• You are physically and mentally resilient and able to react promptly and accurately thanks to your independent and responsible manner of working. 
• You have completed a 3-year vocational apprenticeship or the Matura. Your motivation is more important to us than the industry you come from.
• You have a fluent command of the language of the training location, both spoken and written (C2 level), and also have a basic knowledge of a second Swiss national language at A1 level. This means that you can understand and use familiar, everyday expressions and very simple sentences. You are able to communicate in a simple manner, provided that your conversational partner speaks slowly and clearly and is willing to help you.
• You are able to use a range of digital tools and applications and willing to continually learn and develop your skills.

We recommend that you come to a fact-finding event about the profession. Then apply for a vacancy in good time online. The application process takes three to five months and involves psychological and medical fitness tests, among other things.

Anyone applying to train as a traffic controller or engine driver must undergo a psychological examination by an approved psychologist. During the psychological examination, an approved psychologist assesses whether the examined person can be declared psychologically fit for the safety-relevant activity.

As an engine driver, you will have various opportunities for further training. You may also be able to relocate or develop a career in management, training or planning. 

Qualified engine drivers can also sit the examination for the Federal PET Diploma. This examination supplements the licensing by the FOT, which remains a requirement. Passing it will open up more varied opportunities for progression and further development for you.

We support and promote the personal work-life balance of our employees. You will have the chance to work part-time after you finish your training.

As an engine driver, you have the opportunity to work part-time. There are various models available so that your individual needs can be met in the best possible way. The part-time models include fixed work-free working days (e.g. always Tuesdays), but there is also the option of continuously varying your part-time days in advance. If you work part-time, you can also take your days off on a weekly basis, in blocks or in the form of a reduction in daily working hours.

When it comes to changing your workload, your manager is your partner. In dialogue with you, they will decide on the change in your level of employment and the choice of a suitable working model or part-time model.

Examples:  

Varying part-time days model.

Alexandra, an engine driver and a passionate mountain biker, works 80% so that she can regularly spend time on her bike. Because she can organise her hobby flexibly, she varies the part-time days she specifies in advance. One week it’s Tuesday, the next week it’s Thursday. 

Fixed part-time day model.

Ennio is an engine driver and family man. He shares the responsibilities of childcare with his partner. That’s why he works 60% and has decided to take Mondays and Wednesdays off.  

Remuneration system.

We have a fair and progressive remuneration system. We reward individual performance, take the nature of the job market into account and create transparency. We have also been awarded the We Pay Fair label.

Your salary progression.

Once you have successfully completed your training, a guaranteed, continual salary increase of around CHF 3,000 per year will take you from the starting salary shown below to the maximum salary within 10 years at the latest.

Your salary during and after training.

Your gross monthly salary including the thirteen month's pay depends on age, experience and location. The graphics show the salary scale excluding extra pay. 

Your salary during training.

Your salary after training.

Extra pay.

• Up to 800 for night and Sunday work, depending on the shift plan (Hourly rate for night work: CHF 6 / hourly Sunday rate: CHF 16). After training up to CHF 250.
• Flat-rate subsistance allowance: CHF 19 per day
• Child benefit: CHF 320 for the first child (CHF 205 for each additional child) and other SBB benefits 

Individual salaries will be fixed as part of the employment contract following our remuneration system which forms part of the collective agreement. 

Special offers for SBB employees.

Our employees benefit from attractive discounts with companies throughout Switzerland – that includes everything from insurance through to language courses and electronic devices.

GA travelcard.

Our employees are issued a 2nd class GA travelcard – the only requirement is that they work at least 50% of full-time working hours and have been employed at SBB for more than a year. Our staff also benefit from discounted rail journeys abroad.

As an engine driver, challenging tasks, stimulating activities and numerous opportunities for further professional development await you. Here you can achieve big things, contribute your ideas and quickly take on responsibility. You’ve invested a lot in yourself – your qualifications and commitment are crucial to our success.

SBB operates around the clock, which means you’ll be travelling throughout Switzerland on weekdays, weekends and holidays. Irregular working hours are the rule at SBB – but you’ll also benefit from free ski slopes during the week, no longer having to go shopping during peak hours and the ability to structure your free time flexibly.