Virtual work experience

Systems and Signals Operator

Discover the hidden networks of the transport industry

powered by
100+ students in the last 30 days

Ideal for

14-19

Commitment

10 hours

Outcome

Microcredentials

Skills badge

Certificate

Skills and related jobs

Core skills you will gain:

Problem solving
Critical thinking
Teamwork & collaboration
Planning & organisation
Project management
Communication
Work ethic
Leadership

Additional skills:

Problem solving
Critical thinking
Teamwork & collaboration
Planning & organisation
Project management
Communication
Work ethic
Leadership

Related jobs:

Systems Engineer
Civil Engineer
Transport Operator
Communication Systems Operator
Safety Consultants

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Electrical Technician
Systems and Signals Operator
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Junior Digital Engineer
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At a glance

Have you ever wondered what goes on in air traffic towers and rail control rooms? Study the strategic science of transport signalling, control systems and communication technology. Potential career outcomes include Signalling Technician, Rail Engineer, Air Traffic Controller and more!

As a Systems Operator you will pioneer a new signalling system and transform how Australia’s train networks run every day. You’ll discover how signalling systems operate to keep railways running safely and smoothly, analyse different data sets and translate them into real-world projects, and gain exclusive industry knowledge. Along the way, you’ll learn to communicate strategically with peer Operators and key stakeholders, and engage with practical problem solving. Wrap up your experience by pitching your design to your mentors and leading industry experts at Inland Rail.

Is this for you?

You...

  • Are interested in how data is used to direct large-scale transport machinery
  • Think transport systems are cool
  • Would like an industry mentor and career guidance
  • Love learning and problem solving!


Then this experience was made for you!

‍What you will gain

  • Learn how to navigate existing signalling systems and design your own
  • A cool toolbox of engineering and analysis techniques
  • Technical and soft skills to boost your professional growth
  • Feedback on your work and progress from industry mentors and a program facilitator 
  • Certified microcredential titled, ‘System and Signals Operator virtual work experience at Inland Rail’, to kick-start your career in areas related to systems and signals, as well as engineering/digital technology.

Modules

Discover Systems and Signals

Beginner
2 hours

Operate a train control system

Beginner
2 hours

Coordinate a rail emergency response

Intermediate
2 hours

Future ideas

Advanced
3 hours

Prerequisite

To be eligible for the Google Career Certificate Scholarship you must first complete the following Upskilling courses.

No items found.

Discover Systems and Signals

Beginner
2 hours

Discover what a day-in-the-life of a Systems and Signals Operator looks like, explore the fundamental technical and soft skills you’ll need, and submit a job application for your upcoming project.

Operate a train control system

Beginner
2 hours

Learn about the history of rail signalling, then explore the current systems in place along the Inland Rail alignment. As a Network Controller, you'll learn how to control the movement of trains with a birds-eye perspective, making sure they arrive safely and on time.

Coordinate a rail emergency response

Intermediate
2 hours

Discover what disaster protocols are in place for when things go wrong on the railway line. Respond to a bushfire emergency by coordinating the movement of trains and personnel, making sure everything is safe and gets back on track.

Future ideas

Advanced
3 hours

Consider how the future of signalling and network control is destined to change with developing technology. Flex your creativity by coming up with a pitch that looks to this future, then present your idea to industry experts.

Powered by

Inland Rail

Inland Rail is a once-in-a-generation project connecting regional Australia to domestic and international markets.

Meet your mentors

Daniel Smith

Senior Signal Engineer

Ross Jackson

Rail Operations Delivery Training Advisor

Why Grandshake?

Gain real-world work experience anywhere, anytime. Meet industry mentors, discover career pathways, and join a national community.

Self-paced journey

Complete at your own speed, and gain progressive skills from beginner to advanced.

Video check-ins

Touch-base with a community facilitator and receive personalised guidance at every step of the experience.

Pitch your project

Boost your communication and project management skills in one go, and get key stakeholders on board with your idea. 

Receive mentor feedback

Network with industry mentors and receive one-on-one feedback on your projects. 

Industry-endorsed Microcredential

Receive digital proof of your experience and celebrate your accomplishment with future employers.

Join a national community of students from over 420+ schools

Get help from our community

Get personalised support and feedback from our team, mentors and fellow students.

Build your network

Make connections, discover career opportunities, and collaborate with humans from across Australia.

Real-life experiences

Gain practical skills and insights from a community of industry experts.

What students say

Students rate their Grand experience at 4.5/5 🌟

Claire H

Year 12

“I took every opportunity, and work experience was the perfect opportunity to better myself and help me figure out what I want to do after school.”

Arslan P

Year 10

“I did not know what I wanted to do and none of my friends are talking about what they want to do. Thanks to Grandshake I found my passion and sense of clarity.”

Darcey K

Year 12

“Through my first job shadowing, I landed a paid gig. I soon released the benefits of being employed during high school. I found other ways I can start my career and not go crazy about ATAR.”

David T

Year 11

“I found it difficult to interact with my school. But Grandshake was awesome and the work experience helped me develop a sense of responsibility and got me some experience I needed.”

Elaine Q

Year 10

"I absolutely loved this virtual work experience. I feel like I learned a lot, and everything I did learn I will be able to apply to anything I do in the future."

Audrey W

Year 12

"The team put so much effort into making sure you get a lot out of the experience. My favourite part was meeting with industry mentors, and it was really beneficial to see what a real industry career could look like. The experience has helped me with my decision making in year 12."

Monty B

Year 10

"Work experience has confirmed my passion for working in a particular field and motivated me to work hard to realise my dreams."

Oscar T

Year 12

"The Grandshake community has been very engaging and welcoming."

Frequently asked questions

In what timeframe do I need to complete the virtual work experience?

When can I commence?

How many programs can I do with Grandshake?

How much do it cost to enrol?

Who is Grandshake for?

Strategic Thinking
Strategic Thinking
Search Engine Marketing
Search Engine Marketing
Customer Awareness
Customer Awareness
Google
Google
Website Structure
Website Structure
Customer Outreach
Customer Outreach
Marketing Analytics
Marketing Analytics
Customer loyalty
Customer loyalty
Email Marketing
Email Marketing
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
Display advertising
Display advertising
E-Commerce
E-Commerce
Marketing
Marketing
UX Design
UX Design
Adobe XD
Adobe XD
Figma
Figma
Mockup
Mockup
User Experience Design (UXD)
User Experience Design (UXD)
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Prototype
Prototype
Wireframe
Wireframe
UX Research
UX Research
User Experience (UX)
User Experience (UX)
Procurement
Procurement
Task Estimation
Task Estimation
Risk Management
Risk Management
Project Planning
Project Planning
Business Writing
Business Writing
Project Charter
Project Charter
Stakeholder Management
Stakeholder Management
Sample Size Determination
Sample Size Determination
Career Development
Career Development
Data Ethics
Data Ethics
Data Collection
Data Collection
Metadata
Metadata
Questioning
Questioning
SQL
SQL
Data Cleansing
Data Cleansing
Data Visualization (DataViz)
Data Visualization (DataViz)
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet
Network Model
Network Model
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Ipv4
Ipv4
Domain Name System (DNS)
Domain Name System (DNS)
Customer Support
Customer Support
Linux
Linux
Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing
Binary Code
Binary Code
Network Protocols
Network Protocols
Encryption Algorithms and Techniques
Encryption Algorithms and Techniques
Debugging
Debugging
Customer Service
Customer Service
Design thinking
Design thinking
Curiosity
Curiosity
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Negotiation
Negotiation
Project planning
Project planning
Accountability
Accountability
Strategic planning
Strategic planning
Time management
Time management
Reliability
Reliability
Digital Design
Digital Design
Design
Design
Adaptability
Adaptability
Writing
Writing
Global awareness
Global awareness
Creative thinking
Creative thinking
Persistence
Persistence
Planning
Planning
Lateral thinking
Lateral thinking
Empathy
Empathy
Persuasion
Persuasion
Conversation
Conversation
Relationship building
Relationship building
Listening
Listening
Digital technology
Digital technology
Decision making
Decision making
Surveying
Surveying
Civil/construction design
Civil/construction design
Geotechnical analysis
Geotechnical analysis
Cultural awareness
Cultural awareness
Project management
Project management
Digital strategy
Digital strategy
Systems design
Systems design
Data analysis
Data analysis
Presentation
Presentation
Storytelling
Storytelling
Global & intercultural fluency
Global & intercultural fluency
Environmental awareness
Environmental awareness
Personal management
Personal management
Planning & organisation
Planning & organisation
Leadership
Leadership
Teamwork & collaboration
Teamwork & collaboration
Interpersonal skills
Interpersonal skills
Creativity
Creativity
Work ethic
Work ethic
Communication
Communication
Problem solving
Problem solving
Resilience
Resilience
Critical thinking
Critical thinking
Virtual work experience

Systems and Signals Operator

Have you ever wondered what goes on in air traffic towers and rail control rooms? Study the strategic science of transport signalling, control systems and communication technology. Potential career outcomes include Signalling Technician, Rail Engineer, Air Traffic Controller and more!

On-demand
Real-time support
Active community
Access from any computer, tablet or mobile
100+ students joined in the last 30 days
powered by
Duration:
4 weeks
Per week:
2-4 hours
Age:
14 - 19
Outcome:
Microcredential
Duration:
40 minutes
Age:
14 - 24
Outcome:
Microcredential

Summary

As a Systems Operator you will pioneer a new signalling system and transform how Australia’s train networks run every day. You’ll discover how signalling systems operate to keep railways running safely and smoothly, analyse different data sets and translate them into real-world projects, and gain exclusive industry knowledge. Along the way, you’ll learn to communicate strategically with peer Operators and key stakeholders, and engage with practical problem solving. Wrap up your experience by pitching your design to your mentors and leading industry experts at Inland Rail.

Is this for you?

You...

  • Are interested in how data is used to direct large-scale transport machinery
  • Think transport systems are cool
  • Would like an industry mentor and career guidance
  • Love learning and problem solving!


Then this experience was made for you!

‍What you will gain

  • Learn how to navigate existing signalling systems and design your own
  • A cool toolbox of engineering and analysis techniques
  • Technical and soft skills to boost your professional growth
  • Feedback on your work and progress from industry mentors and a program facilitator 
  • Certified microcredential titled, ‘System and Signals Operator virtual work experience at Inland Rail’, to kick-start your career in areas related to systems and signals, as well as engineering/digital technology.

To join

You need:

  • Yourself 
  • A can-do attitude
  • Dedication to complete weekly activities
  • A computer, laptop or phone 
  • An internet connection
  • A comfy place to study (yes, even your bed)

You don't need:

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