Noam Bleicher has spent 8 years building a career in the rail industry, a sector he had long aspired to join. During this time, he has worked within Capacity Planning at Network Rail, including two years in timetable production and nearly 6 years in the Advanced Timetable Team and its predecessor.
Before making the move into rail, Noam spent over two decades working across a range of industries that didn’t fully capture his interest, making his transition into the railway even more meaningful.
Motivated by a desire to strengthen his professional standing and support future career growth, Noam made the decision to upgrade his membership from Affiliate to Associate with the Institution.
While preparing for his upgrade, he made full use of CIRO’s resources, including video content on CIRO TV, which helped him successfully complete the Professional Operators Development (POD) requirements.
His advice to others considering the same step is simple and direct:
“If you’re interested in career progression, have a go, you’ve got nothing to lose.”
Achieving Associate status has brought both personal and professional rewards. For Noam, adding post-nominal letters to his LinkedIn profile represents a significant milestone, particularly after what he describes as “decades in the career doldrums.”
Beyond personal pride, he recognises the value that CIRO membership carries within the industry. It signals credibility and ensures he is taken seriously by peers and colleagues across the rail sector.
Noam’s ambitions remain firmly focused on progression. His goal is to move from Senior to Lead Analyst within his current field, and ultimately to achieve full Member status with CIRO, continuing his professional development journey.
Drawing on his experience, Noam emphasises the importance of fully immersing yourself in the railway:
“Listen, learn, and get out and use the railway. It’s not a 9–5 job you leave behind at the end of the day, it should be lived.”
He highlights the value of experiencing the railway from a customer’s perspective, as well as taking every opportunity within the workplace, from route learning and shadowing frontline teams to cab rides and visits to signal boxes or Rail Operating Centres.
Understanding both the operational side and the passenger experience, he believes, is essential to truly excelling in the industry.
Outside of work, Noam enjoys a balance of family time and personal pursuits, including walking his dogs, days out with his wife and children, and road cycling.
Time to Upgrade Your CIRO Membership?
Accelerate your career journey by upgrading you CIRO membership. Find out how, and take the first step here: https://www.ciro.org/upgrade-your-membership/
