One way to achieve this is to upgrade your Chartered Institution of Railway Operators (CIRO) membership. CIRO offers membership at a range of levels to suit all stages of professional experience and each one comes with its own requirements and benefits.
Here are some valuable tips to help you complete your application and upgrade successfully, and where you can find support.
Before you start your upgrade application, it’s important that you familiarise yourself with the different membership levels. Each level takes into account your progress on the Professional Operators Development (POD) Framework. Take the time to understand the levels and POD modules, so that you can understand the requirements for your next membership milestone.
The four different levels include:
The POD Framework is the professional map for railway operators. Covering the 12 areas of whole system railway operations, the framework includes:
It’s useful to evaluate your current qualifications, work experience and relevant accomplishments within the railway industry. By identifying any areas where you may need to enhance your skills, you can refine your experience for your dedicated membership milestone. It’s important to be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses in order for you to progress.
Establishing clear and achievable goals is vital to provide direction and increase your chance of success. Creating specific objectives is a great start and ensures you stay motivated and on track with your application. Setting manageable goals such as completing your first POD section, watching an online webinar or completing extra work experience will keep you on track. It will also prevent you from becoming overwhelmed during the process.
Efficient time management is important to help upgrade whilst balancing other commitments and responsibilities in your life. Identify which part of the application requires urgent attention e.g. completing relevant work experience, and focus on this first. Using tools like calendars and to-do lists can be also helpful in avoiding procrastination and setting specific goals for each work session. Rewarding yourself for completing each section will help you to stay motivated.
Reaching out to an experienced CIRO member who has already upgraded is a great way to gain valuable insights and advice on the process. If you’re part of the CIRO mentoring scheme you have access to ongoing support from leading rail professionals. Free for all members of the Institution, your CIRO mentor can assist with career development, share knowledge and act as a trusted guide within the upgrade process.
Designed to provide our members with a seamless experience, our new members’ portal means that CPD, resources and your upgrade application are all in one place. With the option to easily enter and exit the portal, you can complete your application within a timeframe that suits your needs. The easy-to-understand layout makes completing your upgrade as simple as it can be.
Login to the portal to start your upgrade application today.
