Ever wonder what a functioning railroad actually looks like? Or what career opportunities you’ll find? Future recruits to CN no longer have to guess, thanks to an innovative virtual reality (VR) initiative that provides an exciting window into the railway industry.

CN has partnered with ORIGIN, an Indigenous-owned technology firm, to transform how CN engages with potential employees and communities. ORIGIN’s cutting-edge platform, ImmersiveLink, offers recruits immersive VR experiences. “Operations in the Railyard” takes users on a virtual tour of a CN railyard, illustrating the intricate operations and diverse roles that keep the railway running safely and smoothly.

The realistic scenarios were developed with input from railroad field employees and CN Campus trainers and the technology is expected to be used at career fairs and recruitment events across CN’s network. “Coming from a rail fan’s perspective, it was a great way to see the diversity of equipment being used and all the types of locomotives. The immersive experience activated neurons!” says student Aiden Morel of the VR experience which he had at the Soaring Gathering in Vancouver.

This initiative reflects CN’s commitment to inclusion, emphasizing collaboration, innovation and respect. Creating a safe and vibrant workplace for Indigenous employees is central to CN’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan.

 

Aiden Morel experiences what it’s like inside a CN railyard thanks to a CN VR headset, as Brie Ferguson (left) and Vanessa James, Managers, Indigenous Relations at CN, look on.

 

 

Brie Ferguson, Manager, Indigenous Relations, guides rail enthusiast Aiden Morel as he tries a CN VR headset.