The Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (CIRO) is proud to announce that CIRO Connect has won the Training Excellence category at the Spotlight Rail Awards 2025, held last night at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London. This prestigious award recognises the hard work, dedication, and innovation behind CIRO Connect—an immersive learning programme designed to equip rail professionals with comprehensive industry knowledge and practical skills to drive the sector forward.
This award marks a significant achievement for the entire CIRO team, who have worked tirelessly to develop, refine, and launch CIRO Connect. From its initial concept to full rollout, the programme was shaped by a deep understanding of the skills gaps and workforce challenges facing the rail industry.
Adam Fenton, CIRO’s Chief Operating Officer, was heavily involved in the programme’s development, alongside Carol Deveney, Transport Projects Consultant. Reflecting on the journey, Adam said:
“This award is a testament to the passion, expertise, and relentless effort that went into making CIRO Connect what it is today. From the initial concept to full-scale delivery, the team has been committed to creating a programme that truly makes a difference. Seeing it recognised by the industry is an incredibly proud moment for all of us.”
Carol Deveney, course leader for CIRO Connect, emphasised the programme’s innovative approach:
“CIRO embraced innovation from the outset. They have been collaborative, adventurous, and forward-thinking—driving the creation of a programme I wish I could have attended 20 years ago!”
CIRO Connect is unlike traditional training programmes. Spanning 12 expert-led sessions throughout the year, it offers a dynamic mix of experiential learning, real-world case studies, interactive exercises, and insights from industry leaders.
Key topics include:
- Incident & Emergency Management – Developing skills to handle disruptions effectively.
- Operational Planning & Performance – Enhancing efficiency through data-driven decision-making.
- Leadership Development – Building confident, capable future rail leaders.
Cross-Industry Knowledge – Strengthening collaboration across rail disciplines.
With 75,000 rail workers expected to retire or leave by 2030 (NSAR, 2023) and skills shortages costing the UK economy up to £181 million, CIRO Connect is a critical solution for ensuring the rail industry remains resilient, efficient, and future-ready.
The programme not only develops individual careers but also strengthens organisations by fostering cross-functional knowledge and leadership skills, preparing rail professionals to meet the evolving challenges of the industry.
As CIRO celebrates this achievement, 2025 will be a year of significant growth for CIRO Connect. With a vision to expand its reach across the rail industry, the programme will continue to develop more professionals, strengthen organisations, and enhance operational excellence across the sector.
By rolling out CIRO Connect to a wider audience, CIRO aims to spread its benefits further than ever before, ensuring more professionals gain the critical knowledge, leadership skills, and cross-functional expertise needed to thrive in an evolving rail industry.
CIRO invites training and development professionals across the rail sector to explore how CIRO Connect can drastically enhance their workforce training programmes.
To discuss how CIRO Connect can be integrated into your organisation’s learning strategy, contact our team at learning@railwayoperators.co.uk, or visit www.ciro.org/ciro-connect for more information.
