We are proud to announce that CIRO Connect, our pioneering professional development programme, has been shortlisted in the ‘Training Excellence’ category for the prestigious Spotlight Rail Awards. This nomination highlights the impact and importance of CIRO Connect in equipping rail professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed and advance in the industry.

The Spotlight Rail Awards, held annually, celebrate the very best in rail innovation, collaboration, and achievement. The ‘Training Excellence’ category specifically recognises programmes that demonstrate exceptional commitment to developing industry talent. The submissions shortlisted for the award will be presented in an online webinar event on 24th January 2025, where CIRO Connect, along with other nominees, will be showcased to rail professionals across the country.

About CIRO Connect

CIRO Connect was created to address the need for a structured, comprehensive training programme tailored to the rail industry. Led by experienced tutors and featuring contributions from industry experts, the programme offers a deep dive into essential rail topics such as industry operations, safety, and incident management. Through a blend of expert-led sessions, interactive activities, and real-world applications, CIRO Connect empowers participants with a holistic understanding of railway operations and equips them with the knowledge to make informed decisions.

Adam Fenton, CIRO’s Learning & Development Manager, shared his excitement about the shortlisting:

“We developed CIRO Connect to bring real value to rail professionals, offering a programme that’s both thorough and highly relevant to the industry’s needs. Being shortlisted for ‘Training Excellence’ is a fantastic endorsement of the programme’s impact, and we’re honoured to be recognised alongside other inspiring initiatives.”

Why Was CIRO Connect Selected?

One of the standout features of CIRO Connect is its interactive learning approach, where participants engage in activities that reinforce their understanding and enable them to apply concepts in real-time. This practical element not only enhances their learning but also helps them gain confidence in tackling real-world challenges.

Learners on the programme have shared their positive experiences, describing the programme as both informative and engaging.

Sara Flowers, a CIRO Connect participant, said:

“I like the activities that the tutor organises for us. Having those activities helps implement the learning that we’ve done and helps it make sense. It’s those interactive elements that I found really helpful.”

Charlie O’Donnell, another learner, echoed these sentiments, stating:

“For me, I most enjoyed actually having conceptual ideas about the rail industry explained in a really engaging and understandable way. CIRO Connect helped me gain a wider understanding of the rail industry and get my head around certain concepts that either didn’t mean much to me before or I hadn’t had much exposure to.”

Join the Spotlight Rail Awards Webinar

The Spotlight Rail Awards webinar promises to be an exciting event, with finalists across multiple categories presenting their contributions to the rail industry. Hosted on 24th January 2025, the event will offer insights into all shortlisted projects, celebrating excellence and innovation across the sector. We encourage our members to join the webinar and support CIRO Connect as we celebrate the programme’s impact and the hard work of everyone involved.

– Register Here

Find Out More About CIRO Connect

Being shortlisted for the ‘Training Excellence’ award is a significant achievement and a testament to CIRO Connect’s success in advancing rail industry knowledge and skills. We are excited to continue supporting rail professionals on their journey to becoming leaders in the field, and we look forward to seeing CIRO Connect grow and make an even greater impact.

For more information on CIRO Connect and how it can benefit you or your organisation, visit: https://www.ciro.org/ciro-connect/ or contact learning@railwayoperators.co.uk.

Alternatively, view the 2025 learning brochure for details about all of CIRO’s learning programmes.