🔹 Job Title: Signals & Communications Apprentice
🔹 Company: Canadian National Railway Company
🔹 Location: Lansing, MI, USA
🔹 Job Type: On-site, Full-time
🔹 Category: Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship
🔹 Date Posted: April 29, 2025
🚀 Job Overview
CN's Signals & Communications Apprentice role involves:
- Installing, repairing, and maintaining various signals and communications systems.
- Working on railway signaling systems, wayside information systems, and highway grade crossing protection systems.
- Collaborating with teams to ensure safe and efficient operations.
- Assumption: This role requires a strong commitment to safety, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Installation & Maintenance:
- Install, repair, and maintain signals and communications systems and apparatuses.
- Perform construction duties, including digging holes, laying cables, wiring apparatuses, setting piers, and installing equipment.
- Use hand tools, bonding rail, and testing signal plans, including on track high-rail equipment and test instruments to bury cable and wire equipment.
✅ Safety & Compliance:
- Ensure a safe working environment by following CN’s safety policies and procedures.
- Maintain safety awareness and apply critical thinking to identify and mitigate potential hazards.
🎯 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.
Required Skills:
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Knowledge of electrical, electronic, and mechanical principles
- Basic computer knowledge
- Knowledge of signals or Rail Operating Rules
Preferred Skills:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree, or a 2- or 3-year College level program in Electronics, Engineering, or a related field such as Physics or Mathematics
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $36.08 per hour
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
- Extensive Employee Discount Program
- Employee & Family Assistance Program
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with potential for overtime and shift work, including weekends and nights.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Rail Transportation
Company Size: 10,001+ employees
Founded: 1919, in Montreal, QC, Canada
Company Description: CN is a North American transportation and logistics leader focused on supply chain innovation and collaboration. We offer integrated shipping solutions, including rail, intermodal, trucking, freight forwarding, warehousing, and distribution. We are committed to safety, sustainability, and building stronger communities.
Company Specialties: Transportation, Railway, Supply chain, Shipping, Logistics, Intermodal, Freight forwarding, and 3rd party logistics
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level, Apprenticeship
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Signals & Communications Supervisor or Foreman.
Work Arrangement: On-site, with potential for travel to various job sites and remote locations.
Growth Opportunities:
- After successfully completing the apprenticeship program, qualified candidates may be promoted to Signals & Communications Maintainer roles.
- With experience, candidates may advance to supervisory or management positions within the Signals & Communications department or related fields.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Field-based, with occasional office work for training and administrative purposes.
Office Location: Lansing, MI, USA, with potential for travel to other CN locations and job sites.
Geographic Context: Lansing, MI, is located in the southern part of Michigan, with a humid continental climate. The area experiences hot summers and cold, snowy winters.
Work Schedule: Shift work, including day, evening, and night shifts, as well as weekends and holidays. The work schedule may vary based on operational needs and seniority.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission through the CN careers website.
2. Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
3. In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager or a panel of interviewers.
4. Medical assessment, including drug, hearing, and vision tests.
5. Criminal background check.
6. Offer letter and onboarding process.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical skills and knowledge of signals and communications systems.
- Problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
- Safety awareness and commitment to following safety protocols.
- Teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Adaptability and willingness to work in various environments and conditions.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and safety awareness.
- Research CN's safety culture and be ready to discuss your commitment to safety in the workplace.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Hand tools (e.g., wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers)
- Bonding rail and test instruments
- High-rail equipment
- Signal plans and software
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety: CN prioritizes safety above all else, ensuring the well-being of employees, customers, and the public.
- Integrity: CN operates with unwavering integrity, fostering a culture of honesty and transparency.
- Respect: CN values diversity and inclusion, promoting a respectful and inclusive work environment.
- Collaboration: CN encourages teamwork and collaboration, recognizing that collective efforts drive success.
Work Style:
- Safety-focused: Candidates must prioritize safety in all aspects of their work.
- Adaptable: The role requires flexibility to work in various environments and conditions.
- Team-oriented: Strong teamwork and collaboration skills are essential for success in this role.
- Detail-oriented: Candidates must pay close attention to details to ensure accurate and reliable work.
Self-Assessment Questions:
1. Can you describe a time when you had to prioritize safety over other considerations in your work?
2. How do you handle working in diverse teams and adapting to different work environments?
3. Can you provide an example of a time when you had to pay close attention to details to complete a task successfully?
🛑 Potential Challenges
1. Physical Demands: The role requires working in various environments and conditions, including extreme temperatures, uneven terrain, and confined spaces.
2. Shift Work: The role may require working shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, which can impact work-life balance.
3. Travel Requirements: The role may require travel to various job sites and remote locations, which can be challenging for candidates with family or personal commitments.
4. Safety Responsibilities: Candidates must be prepared to take full responsibility for their safety and the safety of others, which can be stressful at times.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
1. Signals & Communications Maintainer: This role is similar to the Signals & Communications Apprentice, but with more advanced responsibilities and seniority.
2. Railway Electrican: This role involves maintaining and repairing electrical systems on trains and in rail yards, with some overlap in skills and responsibilities with the Signals & Communications Apprentice role.
3. Conductor: Conductors operate trains, ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of passengers and freight. This role has some similarities to the Signals & Communications Apprentice role in terms of safety responsibilities and attention to detail.
📝 Sample Projects
1. Signal System Installation: Installing a new signal system, including laying cables, setting piers, and wiring apparatuses, to improve safety and efficiency on a specific rail line.
2. Highway Grade Crossing Upgrade: Upgrading a highway grade crossing protection system to meet new safety standards or accommodate increased traffic.
3. Signal System Maintenance: Conducting regular maintenance on signal systems to ensure their continued operation and preventative maintenance to address potential issues before they arise.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. What are the most common challenges faced by Signals & Communications Apprentices in their first year, and how can I best prepare to address them?
2. How does CN support the professional development of its apprentices?
3. Can you describe a typical day in the life of a Signals & Communications Apprentice?
4. How does CN ensure the safety of its employees and the public in its operations?
5. What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the Signals & Communications department and CN as a whole?
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through the [CN careers website](https://www.cn.ca/en/careers.html).
2. Tailor your resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role.
3. Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and safety awareness.
4. Research CN's safety culture and be ready to discuss your commitment to safety in the workplace.
5. Follow up with CN's recruitment team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
