After more than a decade in railway operations, Joel Ngwaniba has built a career spanning frontline station operations, testing and commissioning, and operational control. Now working as a Traffic Controller in Saudi Arabia, Joel reflects on his journey to MCIRO, the value of professional recognition, and why railway professionals should never stop learning.
Joel’s railway career began more than a decade ago as a Station Agent at Dubai Metro; from there, he progressed through a range of operational roles. He became a Train Operator, also known as a Train Attendant, before moving on to Assistant Station Master and then Station Master.
Each step gave him a broader understanding of railway operations, but his time as a Station Master proved particularly formative. Responsible for station management, crowd control, passenger complaints, and responding during degraded-mode and emergency operations, Joel put his knowledge and decision-making to the test. “This role tested everything I thought I knew, but that challenge is exactly what I have come to value most about my time as a Station Master.”
His career then took another direction when he joined the testing and commissioning team for the launch of Route 2020 with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority introducing new Alstom fleets alongside the existing Kinki Sharyo trains. Joel worked on streamlining existing procedures so they could be applied to both fleets while remaining clear for Train Operators and Attendants. Working directly with Alstom also gave him the opportunity to deepen his understanding of railway rules and procedures.
After the successful launch of Route 2020, Joel received an award and a certificate of appreciation from the MD and achieved a goal he had been working towards: moving into the Operations Control Centre.
Today, he works as a Traffic Controller in Saudi Arabia, with responsibilities including train routing, access control, shunting coordination, incident and disruption management, engineering possessions and track access. His role also involves coordinating station teams, train crew, maintenance teams and external emergency stakeholders.
Alongside his operational experience, Joel holds an MSc in Operations Management from the University of Salford and has developed a particular interest in railway safety, risk management and operational resilience.
With more than a decade of railway experience behind him, upgrading to Member level felt like a natural next step for Joel. “My decision to upgrade to Member level was driven by a desire to have my professional experience and contribution to railway operations recognised by a specialist professional institution.”
But the process offered more than recognition. It allowed Joel to step back and assess his career, considering how his operational responsibilities, decision-making and professional development aligned with the standards expected of a railway operations professional.
Achieving MCIRO has strengthened his professional confidence and, importantly, reinforced his commitment to continuing to develop. “For me, the process itself was rewarding, as it encouraged me to reflect on my career, recognise how far I have progressed, and identify where I can continue to grow.”
For Joel, being part of CIRO also means connecting with a professional community focused specifically on railway operations. Through online events he has been able to connect with professionals working across different railway systems and facing similar operational challenges. Joel also enjoys exploring the range of past events and webinars available through CIRO TV.
“I listen to them regularly on my way to and from work, and I find them very interesting. In fact, I often find it challenging to choose which one to listen to first, as most of the topics genuinely interest me.”
The membership upgrade process itself also helped him identify where his experience already aligned with the professional framework, as well as areas he could continue developing as he looks towards the next stage of his membership journey.
For members wondering whether now is the right time to upgrade, Joel’s message is straightforward: “Do not wait until tomorrow to do something you can do today.” He believes that members already considering an upgrade may be closer to meeting the requirements than they realise. The important step is making the time to review the criteria and reflect properly on their experience.
“If becoming professionally recognised matters to you, you will find the time to review the requirements, reflect on your experience, and submit your application.” For Joel, however, the real value comes from what members do with that recognition: continuing to learn, engaging with their professional community and connecting with others across the industry.
Joel sees MCIRO as both recognition of his career so far and a foundation for what comes next. “Personally, this is a significant milestone in my career. It is recognition of years of experience in the industry and a reflection of my commitment to learning and career development.”
Professionally, membership has strengthened his sense of belonging within the railway community. In time, he also hopes to contribute his own knowledge and experience through CIRO’s mentoring platform. His longer-term ambition is to progress into Operations Manager or Safety Leadership roles, where he can contribute to operational safety, resilience and performance.
This ambition is closely connected to his growing interest in research. His master’s research focused on railway risk management and the application of the ISO 31000 framework in operational contexts. He is continuing to develop this area of expertise, with a paper currently under review with the International Journal of Rail Transportation. His aim is ultimately to bring together his practical operational experience and research interests as he takes on greater leadership responsibility.
Having progressed from the front line to the control centre, Joel also has clear advice for people at the beginning of their railway careers. “My biggest advice would be to respect the responsibilities that come with working in the railway environment. It is a highly safety-critical industry where small decisions can have huge consequences, so developing a strong safety mindset from the beginning is important.”
He also encourages those starting not to limit their learning to their immediate job. “Learn about the railway as a whole rather than focusing only on your current role. Understanding how the different systems and departments interact with each other will make you a stronger professional.”
Above all, Joel believes in continuing to ask questions, understanding why procedures exist, and learning from the experience of others. “Your career may take you through different roles and departments, so build a broad understanding of the industry and always remain open to new challenges.”
Away from work, Joel’s favourite way to recharge is spending time with his family, particularly playing with his two-year-old son. He also enjoys chess, which he finds helps develop patience, strategic thinking, time management and decision-making, as well as travelling and experiencing different countries and cultures.
Even outside work, his interest in railway operations is never far away. Research has become a growing personal interest, particularly around safety and risk management. One book he recommends to others with an interest in the subject is Managing Risks in the Railway System: A Practice-Oriented Guide by Konstantinos Tzanakakis.
From starting on the front line to working in operational control, Joel’s career has been shaped by a willingness to learn, take on new challenges, and keep developing. MCIRO marks an important milestone in that journey, but for Joel, it is also a reminder that professional development never really stops.
Accelerate your career journey by upgrading your CIRO membership. Find out how, and take the first step here: https://www.ciro.org/upgrade-your-membership/
