CIRO Member ‘uncovered new skills’ after upgrading membership

Martin Bloomfield, Operations and Dangerous Goods Specialist and System Operator at Network Rail, began his career in rail in 1994 when he became the Driver Standards Manager at Southeastern. In the last 30 years, Martin has held various roles within the industry and developed his expertise.

Already a chartered member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, Martin became a CIRO Member to not only enhance his career in the rail industry but his personal development as well.

Meeting the relevant professional criteria, Martin made the decision to upgrade and dedicated his time to completing the Professional Operations Development (POD) sections.

For this, Martin collated as much evidence as possible to demonstrate his ability to make informed decisions about railway operations. As a Member, Martin can give something back to the industry by becoming a Mentor or a CIRO ambassador.

He said: “After looking at the skill set required, I realised that I had the experience to cover the criteria. I knew that upgrading my CIRO membership would be the perfect opportunity to enhance my personal development as well as offer career progression.”

Martin’s level of professional credibility shows a strong commitment to the industry and his passion for inspiring and shaping the future for other rail enthusiasts.
Martin added: “Upgrading has given me the confidence I needed to pursue my dream career! Arguably the most important thing to mention is the industry recognition you receive when you complete your POD sections.

“Throughout the membership upgrade process, I’ve been able to reflect on skills that I didn’t know I had! Now I can use my experience and knowledge to teach others who aspire to secure a career in rail.”

Committed to guiding others through the upgrade process, Martin shared some wise words: “The main thing is understanding that upgrading takes time and careful planning, so just have patience and you’ll soon see the results.

“Also, try to avoid being over-cautious and just go for it! It can seem daunting and a little bit challenging at first, but if you reach out for help and advice, you’re never alone.
“Always talk to someone who has been through the process before. I reached out to CIRO and received support from Membership Coordinator, Carolyn Hughes, who was absolutely brilliant at providing guidance throughout my membership upgrade.”

Martin’s passion for learning has since inspired his decision to take his personal development to the next level, commenting: “Now that I’ve upgraded, my goal is definitely to become a Fellow. I’m really looking forward to helping other CIRO members develop and secure their next career challenge.”

Open the door to endless opportunities and be a part of our commitment to inspire and shape the future generation of rail.

To strengthen your professional recognition by upgrading your membership, our online portal allows straightforward submission of your Professional Operations Development sections. Supporting evidence of knowledge and experience gained from your career can also be put forward, you don’t need formal qualifications.

There are four membership levels; Affiliate, Associate, Member and Fellow. These are designed as career milestones and distinguish you as a rail leader. It’s also possible to apply for any level as there’s a membership to suit you at any stage of your career.

For any further information or advice on upgrading your membership, get in touch with our team at membership@railwayoperators.co.uk