🔹 Job Title: Signals & Communications Apprentice
🔹 Company: Canadian National Railway Company
🔹 Location: Peoria, IL, USA
🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time
🔹 Category: Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship
🔹 Date Posted: April 29, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry-level (0-2 years)
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (not remote)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
1. Installation and Maintenance: Install, repair, test, and maintain signals and communications systems, including railway signaling systems, wayside information systems, and highway grade crossing protection systems.
2. Construction Duties: Perform construction duties such as digging holes and trenches, wiring apparatus, setting piers, and installing equipment.
3. Safety Focus: Ensure a safe working environment by following CN’s safety policies and procedures.
4. Collaboration: Work independently and collaboratively with others, maintaining positive interactions.
5. Continuous Learning: Participate in a one-year apprentice training program, including classroom theory and laboratory work, as well as hands-on skill development in the field.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, and the ability to work well in a team environment. Applicants should be comfortable working in various weather conditions and on uneven terrain.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Installation and Maintenance:
- Install, repair, maintain, test, and inspect signal systems and apparatus, including automatic blocks, traffic controls, train stops, train controls, cab signals, and interlocking systems.
- Perform construction duties, including digging holes and trenches to lay cables, wiring apparatus, setting piers, and installing equipment.
- Perform highway grade crossing protection and automatic classification yards.
- Use a wide variety of hand tools, bonding rail, and testing signal plans, including on track high-rail equipment and test instruments to bury cable and wire equipment.
- Ensure a safe working environment by following CN’s safety policies and procedures.
ASSUMPTION: The successful candidate will have strong mechanical, electrical, and electronic principles knowledge, as well as the ability to follow company safety procedures, apply critical thinking, and maintain safety awareness.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
- Grade 12 Diploma or General Educational Development (GED)
Experience:
- Successful completion of CN’s apprenticeship program, including in-class theory and laboratory work, as well as hands-on skill development in the field.
Skills:
- Collaborates and maintains positive interactions with others.
- Ability to work independently, well organized, and maintain schedules.
- Ability to understand and apply electrical, electronic, and mechanical principles.
- Ability to follow company safety procedures, apply critical thinking, and maintain safety awareness.
- Hand-eye coordination
- Good climbing and balancing skills for performing installation and maintenance activities.
- Knowledge of signals or Rail Operating Rules
- Basic computer knowledge
Preferred Skills:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, or a 2- or 3-year College level program in Electronics, Engineering, or other related field such as Physics or Mathematics
ASSUMPTION: While not required, a background in electronics, engineering, or a related field can be beneficial for this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $36.01 per hour (qualified Rate) with the potential for a lower hourly rate during the qualifying period. In addition, CN employees are eligible for an employee share investment plan (ESIP), Pension, Benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB), and other perks.
Benefits:
- Competitive Wages, Benefits, and Pension Plan
- Paid Training and Career Development
- Medical, vision, and dental insurance
- 24/7 Telemedicine Service
- Employee Share Investment Plan
- Educational Financial Assistance Program
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
- Extensive Employee Discount Program
- Employee & Family Assistance Program
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with the potential for shift work, including weekends and nights.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for this role, experience level, and location. The actual salary may vary based on individual qualifications and company policy.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Rail Transportation
Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Enterprise)
Founded: 1919
Company Description: CN is a North American transportation and logistics leader focused on supply chain innovation and collaboration. They offer integrated shipping solutions, including rail, intermodal, trucking, freight forwarding, warehousing, and distribution. CN is committed to building a safe, inclusive, and sustainable railroad, reflecting the communities in which they operate.
Company Specialties: Transportation, Railway, Supply chain, Shipping, Logistics, Intermodal, Freight forwarding, and 3rd party logistics
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level (Apprentice)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Signals and Communications Supervisor or Foreman.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with the potential for travel to isolated locations.
Growth Opportunities:
- After successfully completing the one-year apprentice training program, the role is subject to promotion as a Signals and Communications Maintainer, protecting seniority as vacancies arise.
- CN offers extensive training and career development opportunities, with the potential for career progression within the signals and communications department or other areas of the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Field-based, with occasional travel to CN’s campus in Homewood, IL, for training purposes.
Office Location(s): Peoria, IL, USA (primary work location), with the potential for travel to other CN facilities as needed.
Geographic Context: Peoria, IL, is located in central Illinois, approximately 150 miles southwest of Chicago. The city offers a mix of urban and rural environments, with a population of around 115,000 people.
Work Schedule: Shift work, including weekends and nights, with the potential for overtime and on-call responsibilities.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be comfortable working in various environments and be available to travel as needed.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission
2. Phone or video screening
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager or a panel of interviewers
4. Background check and drug test (if required)
5. Offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
1. Technical skills and knowledge of signals and communications systems
2. Problem-solving abilities and attention to detail
3. Safety awareness and commitment to following safety procedures
4. Collaboration and teamwork skills
5. Adaptability and willingness to learn
Application Tips:
1. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
2. Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability.
3. Familiarize yourself with CN’s safety policies and procedures, as safety is a critical aspect of this role.
ATS Keywords: Signals, Communications, Apprentice, Installation, Maintenance, Repair, Test, Safety, Collaboration, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Adaptability, CN, Canadian National Railway Company, Peoria, IL
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Hand tools (e.g., wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers)
- Bonding rail and test instruments
- On track high-rail equipment
- Various software and platforms used for training and record-keeping purposes
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety: CN prioritizes safety above all else, ensuring the well-being of employees, customers, and the public.
- Integrity: CN expects employees to act with unwavering integrity, holding themselves accountable for their actions.
- Collaboration: CN fosters a collaborative work environment, where employees support and learn from one another.
- Inclusion: CN is committed to creating an inclusive workplace, where diversity is valued and respected.
Work Style:
- Safety-focused: Employees must prioritize safety in all aspects of their work.
- Team-oriented: Collaboration and teamwork are essential for success in this role.
- Adaptable: Applicants should be comfortable working in various environments and be open to learning new skills and technologies.
Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do you ensure a safe working environment, both for yourself and your colleagues?
2. Can you describe a time when you had to collaborate with a team to solve a complex problem? What was the outcome?
3. How do you stay organized and maintain schedules when working independently?
4. How do you approach learning new skills and technologies in a fast-paced environment?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and adaptability, as these are critical factors for success in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
1. Safety Risks: Working with heavy machinery and in various environments can pose safety risks. Applicants should be comfortable following safety procedures and working in a safe manner.
2. Weather Conditions: Applicants may be required to work in extreme weather conditions, including hot and cold temperatures, and in various types of terrain and surfaces.
3. Travel Requirements: Applicants should be comfortable with travel and be available to work away from home in isolated locations.
4. Shift Work: The role may require shift work, including weekends and nights, which can impact work-life balance.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
1. Signals & Communications Maintainer: This role differs from the Signals & Communications Maintainer role in that it is an entry-level position focused on learning and developing the necessary skills to become a qualified signals and communications maintainer. The Maintainer role requires more experience and may involve more complex tasks and responsibilities.
2. Railway Signal Technician: This role is similar to the Signals & Communications Apprentice role in that it involves working with railway signaling systems. However, the Technician role may require more specialized knowledge and skills, as well as more experience in the field.
3. Electrical or Electronic Technician: These roles share some similarities with the Signals & Communications Apprentice role, as they all involve working with electrical and electronic systems. However, the specific focus and requirements of each role may differ.
📝 Sample Projects
1. Signal System Installation: Describe a project where you had to install a new signal system, including the planning, execution, and testing phases.
2. Signal System Repair: Explain a time when you had to repair an existing signal system, diagnosing the issue, and implementing a solution.
3. Signal System Maintenance: Detail a regular maintenance task you performed on a signal system, ensuring its proper functioning and addressing any potential issues.
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and how it relates to the specific responsibilities of this role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. What are the most common challenges faced by Signals & Communications Apprentices, and how can I best prepare to overcome them?
2. How does CN support the professional development of its Signals & Communications Apprentices?
3. What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
4. How does CN ensure the safety of its employees, particularly those working in field-based roles?
5. What are the opportunities for career growth and advancement within the signals and communications department or other areas of the company?
ASSUMPTION: Applicants should ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and the company, as well as their commitment to safety and professional development.
📝 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through the provided link: [Application URL]
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
3. Prepare for the interview process, focusing on your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability.
4. Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of submitting your application, if you have not heard back.
5. If selected for an interview, arrive on time and dress appropriately for the occasion.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
