The APME qualification enables personnel to perform metal deposit operations on railway turnout crossings, a delicate and highly precise task, essential for restoring the correct functioning of one of the most critical components in the wheel-rail interface system.

Through a structured and intensive training program, personnel acquire advanced analytical skills, allowing them to assess situations and intervene effectively, in full compliance with railway regulations. This qualification authorizes technicians to operate on active RFI railway lines and in workshop environments, using approved automated welding systems.

Initial Training and Safety Protocols

The training begins within the company, where personnel are educated on safety procedures, with special attention to specific occupational risks. This is followed by training in electric arc welding, under the supervision of the company coordinator, covering fundamental techniques and basic metallurgical knowledge. The duration ranges from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the participant’s abilities.

Technical Assessments and Certifications

Before proceeding with the full APME training program, candidates must undergo psycho-physical aptitude assessments, including medical examinations lasting approximately 8 hours to obtain both physical and psychological fitness certifications. Once approved, the candidate is assigned to a worksite and paired with a tutor to evaluate their skills and aptitudes. This mentorship phase lasts from 6 months to 1 year.

The technician must then complete courses and pass exams to obtain two essential qualifications:

  • Worksite Protection: 64 hours of training and a final exam to ensure safety during worksite operations.
  • Railway Vehicle Operation: 200 hours of training and two exams, enabling the technician to operate the necessary equipment in railway environments.

Welding qualification requires completing two training courses and related exams, in compliance with international standard EN ISO 9606-1 for manual arc welding. Additionally, technicians must obtain EN ISO 14732 certification for the operation of automatic welding systems.

Field Experience and Final Qualification

A crucial part of the APME training is hands-on field experience, totaling approximately 1,000 hours of on-site activities. In this phase, technicians gain practical experience using equipment and machinery under real operating conditions. This is followed by an additional 520-hour mentorship period to reinforce and consolidate the acquired skills.

During the program, technicians are also required to obtain certifications related to Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), specifically EN ISO 9712 MF, which includes Visual Testing (VT) and Penetrant Testing (PT). These certifications are mandatory to ensure weld quality and compliance with safety standards.

The training culminates in a Level 3 “PND Audit“, a 520-hour evaluation process that verifies the technician’s ability to independently apply quality control procedures.

Upon completing all required certifications, the technician gains access to the final APME qualification course, which includes an intensive examination session focusing on both practical applications and regulatory compliance for work on the RFI railway network.

In total, the APME training pathway involves approximately 3800 hours of theoretical instruction, practical training, and on-site mentoring, ensuring a high level of technical expertise and safety for interventions on railway infrastructure.