What happens if you receive a ‘call for more evidence’ on your upgrade application?

Having a professional membership showcases your credibility and expertise while providing access to a vast number of resources, not only this but CIRO membership opens you up to networking opportunities which will help you to excel within the industry. There are many reasons to upgrade your membership, such as the professional recognition you’ll receive through continuing to demonstrate and strengthen your impact by affiliation. CIRO’s international reputation and commitment will only increase as you upgrade. The CIRO community is the largest collection of dedicated railway operators; therefore, members will continue to connect and network with like-minded professionals.

What are the different levels of CIRO membership?

After applying to become a member of CIRO there are three further levels you can upgrade to, all of which are determined on your work experience and professional knowledge. All members are welcome to apply for the most appropriate level to suit their individual development journey. The different levels are briefly discussed below:

Affiliate is the entry level of membership and requires no experience in the industry. Becoming an Affiliate member of the institution demonstrates that you have taken the first steps in your professional career, showing peers and employers that you are interested and involved in the railway operations industry. As an Affiliate, you will have access to many standard membership benefits including: CPD, mentoring, events, and resources, allowing you to learn and grow in your career.

The second level is Associate, which shows your peers and perspective employers that you are committed to your profession. To upgrade to an Associate member, you must have worked in the railway industry for a minimum of two years and have the basic knowledge in three of the Professional Operators Development (POD) sections. Applications require you to complete the online experience assessment, where you are able to highlight experience that you have obtained.

A Member must have worked in the industry for a minimum of five years and have a good knowledge of a broad amount of the POD sections. At this level you’ll gain further opportunity to strengthen your CV by having the chance to become a mentor, helping to develop other rail professionals.

The final milestone of a CIRO membership is becoming a Fellow. Fellows are recognised as the most senior members and demonstrate their proven abilities and expertise in railway operations. This level of professional credibility shows a strong commitment to the industry. To become a Fellow, you must have worked a minimum of seven years in railway operation and have in-depth knowledge of all 12 POD sections, and international experience in three sections.

How does the CIRO upgrade process work?

When applying to upgrade, you will need to make sure you have evidence of effective professional progression since your last membership award. You’ll also need to showcase advancement on the POD framework.

Becoming a CIRO member will evoke many opportunities to shape your future in the rail industry. During the upgrade process, it is crucial to meet the specific requirements in order for your application be successful. When applying you should make a concise effort to go through your CV. Make sure to demonstrate what you have achieved and why this is relevant to your career, formulate a career plan, and take consideration into how much evidence is needed to cover the requirements for each POD section.

Your application may come back with a ‘call for more evidence’, this is still a positive experience for your development. Reasons this may happen can vary from a section filled-in incorrectly or a specific lack of experience required for the level of membership you are trying to achieve. There is no standardised response as each application is treated individually. However, CIRO will continue to support you, and highlight the POD section(s) where more information is needed. They will also suggest resources or opportunities to develop your future application.

The CIRO upgrade panel meet five times per year in February, April, June, September, and November, meaning you have many opportunities to upgrade your application. Please ensure that your completed application is submitted before the end of the previous month at the very latest.

Not only does CIRO membership give you professional affiliation and recognition, but it also offers access to a great network of professional expertise. Find out more here https://www.ciro.org/upgrade-your-membership/ or contact our membership team at membership@railwayoperators.co.uk?