Alongside the significant achievement of winning the Training Excellence category at the prestigious Spotlight Rail awards( read more about this on page 4), CIRO Connect has been shortlisted for Skills Development Excellence at the Rail Business Awards and Best Training or Development Programme at the Women in Rail Awards. The recognition of CIRO Connect across the industry is strongly valued by CIRO, who thank the team, subject matter experts, and learners who have contributed to its success.
The learners have had an overwhelmingly positive experience, commenting on the level of understanding the course has given them, the impact it has had on their work, and the excellent delivery of the course by the lead tutor, Carol Deveney:
“ It’ s that holistic understanding. Quite often in your day job as rail professionals, we’ re pigeonholed into a certain area, whereas CIRO Connect really encourages us to think more outwardly. It’ s not only interesting but really important. I’ d honestly recommend it to anybody who is interested in rail or who works in the rail industry. Particularly for people new to the industry because it can be quite overwhelming, and there’ s so much to learn. Having a structured program is undeniably useful to anybody who is new to the industry.”
– Sara Flower, course participant
“ As someone who didn’ t have much experience in the industry when starting CIRO Connect, I could sit in meetings, and some concepts could go straight over my head. Actually, having someone explain them to you who’ s been involved in the industry for such a long time and who delivers the content in a way that is digestible and easy to understand has been really useful, and I’ ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far.
understood the intricacies of it. That’ s the biggest thing I’ ve taken away from the sessions and the most helpful thing about it.
“ One of the most enjoyable things about it is the way it’ s been delivered. Carol has been absolutely incredible, and through that delivery, it’ s helped me to kind of visualise things, instead of just reading out of a handbook or a guidebook. It’ s helped me to gain a better understanding, and this comes off the back of how it’ s structured.”
– Jack Wheelhouse, course participant
Carol Deveney herself has commented on the innovative nature of the course, and the impact it will have on the industry:
“ I hear‘ Innovation’ set out as an intention for training sessions. That means truly committing to creativity and trying new ideas to bring innovation into the learning experience. It takes courage to step away from the traditional methods. Of course, it is what needs to happen if we want different results.
CIRO embraced this from the outset for the CIRO Connect programme. They have been collaborative, adventurous, forward-thinking, and driven the creation of a programme I wish I could have attended 20 years ago!”
– Carol Deveney, course leader
As CIRO Connect expands across the industry, we are excited to recruit for the launch of a new cohort based in London in September 2025. To find out more or register your interest in this launch or future cohorts, contact: learning @ railwayoperators. co. uk
“ CIRO Connect helped me gain a wider understanding of the rail industry and get my head around certain concepts that either didn’ t mean much to me before, I hadn’ t had much exposure to before, or just didn’ t understand.”
– Charlie O’ Donnell, course participant
“ It’ s all about understanding the industry. I had no exposure to the way the railway operates; I’ ve never www. ciro. org
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