Second Cohort Completes CIRO Connect with Network Rail
CIRO is delighted to announce the successful completion of the second cohort of the Network Rail Project Management Graduate scheme to undertake CIRO Connect, our award-winning introductory learning programme.
Seventeen learners recently graduated from the programme and upgraded their membership to become Associates of CIRO, reflecting both their personal achievement and their commitment to professional development in rail operations. This milestone demonstrates the growing impact of CIRO Connect in supporting the next generation of railway professionals.
CIRO Connect has quickly established itself as a cornerstone of early-career development. Earlier this year, it was recognised with the Training Excellence Award at the Spotlight Rail Awards 2025, underlining its value and quality.
Building on this success, the programme is expanding with three new cohorts launching this autumn:
• An industry-wide intake which began in October, open to professionals from across the sector.
• The integration of CIRO Connect into the Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager( PTOM) apprenticeship, starting in November, ensuring apprentices gain both operational insight and recognition from the industry’ s leading professional body.
• A further Network Rail Project Management Graduate group, also commencing in November.
To support this growth, CIRO has expanded its pool of tutors for CIRO Connect. The addition of new tutors not only brings a wider range of expertise and perspectives to learners, but also allows CIRO to scale delivery of CIRO Connect and meet the evergrowing demand from organisations and individuals across the sector.
Future cohorts will be launched in response to demand, and those interested are encouraged to register their interest with CIRO to stay informed.
With its continued success and expansion, CIRO Connect is proving to be a powerful stepping-stone for professionals at the start of their railway careers and a vital part of CIRO’ s mission to support development across the industry.
Learn more at: www. ciro. org / ciro-connect
www. ciro. org
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