Training to become a traffic controller takes eight months and is held in Olten, Zurich, Renens or Pollegio, depending on your place of work. You will be employed and paid by SBB during your training. The training is divided into different modules and, at the end, you will sit a theoretical and practical skills assessment in accordance with the specifications of the Federal Office of Transport.

As a prospective traffic controller, you count joined-up thinking and goal-oriented action among your strengths. 

You will also meet the following requirements:

• You have passed a three-year VET programme or your school-leaving exam as a minimum.
• You are diligent, reliable and willing to work on a 24-hour shift basis.
• You have both oral and written fluency in the language of the workplace and know a second national language.
• You have perfect colour vision (no red / green colour blindness).

Interested in finding out more about a career as a rail traffic controller? If so, come along to one of our information events and gain a first-hand insight into the working day of a rail traffic controller.

Upcoming information events.

Click on one of the dates below to register for an event.

Recorded fact-finding event.

No time? Event fully booked? you don’t have to miss out. Watch the event when and where it suits you best. (in german)

After attending a fact-finding event, apply early online to a vacant position. You also need to send a criminal record certificate that is no more than three months old. If you meet the requirements, we will conduct a video interview with you before the interview in person. The application process includes a psychological and medical fitness examination, among other elements.  

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 a traffic controller, you will have various opportunities for further training. There are opportunities to become a specialist or to pursue a career in management. 

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 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 CHF 500 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 200.
• Flat-rate subsistance allowance: CHF 19 per day
• Child benefit: CHF 320 for the first child (CHF 215 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 40% 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 a rail traffic controller working for a company that operates around the clock, you’ll be on duty 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. You will have the chance to work part-time after you finish your training.