A school to train drivers

Within SNCF Voyageurs and the Traction Division, the Université Nationale de Formation Traction (UNFT) and the École Nationale des Compétences Traction Management et Gestion des Moyens (ENCT2M) are the grande école that trains for the main Traction professions: train drivers (M/F), resource managers and their managers.

Driver's trade M/F

• Basic training for train drivers
• Tram-Train driver training course
• Initial training for shunting and local line drivers
• Access to high-speed train driving

Resources Manager

• Initial training as a resource manager

Manager

• Local driver manager course
• Resource manager course

The passenger train driver
He's at the heart of sustainable mobility. They drive trains and transport passengers on commercial lines, respecting safety procedures and railway signalling.

Their activities are varied. They liaise with a variety of contacts, keep passengers informed, ensure trains are on time, carry out technical tests and perform initial repairs in the event of an incident.

Resource manager
Organizes and coordinates human and material resources to provide customers with the best possible rail service. They are responsible for optimizing and using these resources.

Driver manager 
Responsible for a team of 20 to 30 drivers, he/she monitors the quality of their work on a daily basis and issues authorizations, guaranteeing the reliability and safety of driving operations.

Resource manager
Coordinates and prioritizes their day-to-day activities, optimizing the resources required for rail production (availability of drivers, traction units, train paths, etc.).

Interactive animation methods:

• Visualization of the work environment to anchor learning,
• Small groups of learners, group debriefings,
• Alternating on-campus and on-the-job training,
• Different types of support and assessment to suit each learner.

Digital technology for pedagogical excellence:

• State-of-the-art, world-class simulators for fully immersive driving,
• Instructional videos on job functions and line studies,
• Individual tablets for permanent access to up-to-date resources,
• E-learning on LMS (Learning Management System) platforms.

Underpinned by our values of excellence and quality, our training services are recognized both nationally and internationally, and are constantly being developed to meet customer needs.

Eight campuses in France:

• Dijon
• Lille
• Lyon
• Nancy
• Rennes
• Saint-Denis (Île-de-France)
• Toulouse
• Tours

UNFT is approved by the Établissement Public de Sécurité Ferroviaire (EPSF) and the French Ministry of Transport.

As such, UNFT prepares trainees for the required professional skills and is an examination center for the European train driver's license (N°40000).

Quality certification was obtained in July 2022 for the category: training action.

The UNFT prepares students for certification as a train driver.

This is a level 4 professional qualification, registered with the Registre National des Certifications Professionnelles and recognized by the French State (N°40000).

To be eligible for certification, candidates must have obtained :

• the driver's license: examination covering general professional knowledge of train driving + certificates of physical and psychological fitness,
• attestation of successful completion of train driver training.

To obtain certification, candidates must :

• pass a final examination, comprising 3 tests (written, practical, oral),
• be accepted by the Examining Board.