Introducing Rail Master: A Whole System View of Rail – CIRO’ s Newest and Most Advanced Online Course
CIRO is pleased to launch our latest and most advanced online course, Rail Master: A Whole System View of Rail.
Specifically designed to build upon the popular Rail Pro: 12 System Elements of Rail course, this offers an opportunity for learners to go one step further in a self-paced online setting.
To make our opportunities convenient for both employers and individual learners, our online courses are now organised into three levels of learning. Beginners can benefit from Introduction to Rail, a classic course offering the most essential knowledge needed for working on the railway.
Moving up a level, the Rail Pro: 12 System Elements of Rail course covers each section of CIRO’ s POD Framework, encouraging holistic learning about railway operations.
Finally, the new Rail Master: A Whole System View of Rail course takes this a step further, covering 14 aspects of rail in detail and offering critical reflection. Each course is supported by activities and assessed by quizzes to ensure learning outcomes are met.
Topics covered by Rail Master: A Whole System View of Rail include an introduction to essential aspects of railway operation, management skills, customer service, the organisation of the railway business, operational planning, performance management, safety management, emergency management, train movement control systems, and railway economics. By taking a deep-dive into 14 distinct aspects of the rail profession and connecting these topics along the way, the course produces a‘ Whole System View’ of railway operations. Participants are encouraged to reflect on their profession throughout each topic and to bring different ideas together in ways they may not have done so before. The depth of the course makes it ideal for mid- to high-level professionals looking to gain a detailed whole-system perspective of the rail industry.
The course also supports different learning styles, as all written content is paired with narrated videos, and the activities involve different skills such as research, reflection, and hands-on tasks.
To ensure the high quality and usability of Rail Master: A Whole System View of Rail, the course has been piloted within the September 2024 academic course cohorts, who have used the course to support their studies.
The first student to complete the course, Lawrence Ruler, found it to be a useful way of expanding his operational understanding of rail when coming from a commercial background:“ I will refer back to it throughout the degree course for sure.” Those interested in enrolling in the course or finding out more should contact learning @ railwayoperators. co. uk expressing their interest. www. ciro. org
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