8234 Rail transport operatives: SOC 2020 occupation code

In short

ONS unit group 8234, in minor group 823 (Other drivers and transport operatives) and major group 8 (Process, plant and machine operatives).
Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Not on the list: Table 6.
Going rate as the tables print it:

What the ONS says

Description

Rail transport operatives assist drivers in the operation of passenger and goods trains, drive locomotive engines in coal mines, guide wagons and coaches in marshalling yards and sidings to make up trains, operate signals and points to control the movement of rail traffic, and monitor the operation of surface and underground railways.

Typical entry routes

There are no formal academic entry requirements. Candidates may be required to have good hearing, eyesight, and normal colour vision and pass a medical examination for entry to some posts. Training is initially undertaken in training centres, followed by practical experience on-the-job. NVQs/ SVQs in Rail Services are available at level 2 and 3.

Tasks

provides crews for breakdown trains, allocates relief and replacement crews as necessary, keeps crews informed of any line repairs or restrictions, and checks train running times for punctuality
examines schedules and decides priority of movement of trains, monitors movement of trains and issues instructions to drivers, signal operatives and level crossing keepers
operates signals and opens and closes barriers at level crossings as required
examines shunting instructions, uncouples wagons and coaches, guides movement of carriages using manual points and wagon breaks, links-up carriages, ensures security of couplings and reconnects brake and heating systems
assists drivers in the operation of diesel, diesel-electric, electric and steam locomotives
checks loading of tubs and carriages, and informs driver of load distribution and any special features of route

Related job titles

Protection master
Railway worker
Shunter
Signalman (railways)
Transport supervisor (railways)

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the table below, with the table’s own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 6: SOC 2020 occupation codes which are not eligible for the Skilled Worker, Global Business Mobility or Scale-up routes

SOC 2020 occupation code

8234 Rail transport operatives

Examples of related job titles (non-exhaustive)

Protection master
Railway worker
Shunter
Signalman (railways)
Transport supervisor (railways)

Other unit groups in minor group 823

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

All 412 occupation codes

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