achievements of our learners, the commitment of employer partners and the dedication of tutors and coaches working behind the scenes to support apprentices at every stage of their development. Their guidance plays a vital role in building confidence, capability and professional credibility within operational rail environments.
We also visited a teaching session in London with Network Rail Graduates completing their Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager Apprenticeship. The light rail-focused session gave learners the opportunity to apply operational thinking through interactive, real-world learning.
National Apprenticeship Week provided a valuable opportunity to celebrate learner success while recognising the collective industry effort that underpins apprenticeship delivery.
Specialist End-Point Assessment to launch
Further strengthening professional standards, CIRO will launch rail-contextualised Transport Scheduler End-Point Assessments in April.
This specialist assessment offer ensures learners are evaluated against occupational standards within a rail-specific operational context, supporting more relevant, industry-aligned outcomes and reinforcing CIRO’ s role as a professional awarding body.
Learn more: https:// www. ciro. org / epa /
New Whole System Thinking short course
Responding directly to industry demand, CIRO has also launched a new Whole System Thinking short course, developed at the request of the Department for Transport.
The course focuses on effective operational resourcing from both current and future planning perspectives, while strengthening collaboration between operations and engineering functions, supporting more informed decision-making and improved system performance.
Supporting the railway of today and tomorrow
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the breadth and impact of CIRO’ s Learning Department across the rail sector.
Learner voices showcased at the George Bradshaw Address
A particularly proud moment for CIRO came at the 2026 George Bradshaw Address, where two former CIRO academic learners were invited to speak to an audience of senior rail leaders.
From apprenticeships and academic pathways through to leadership schemes, short courses and cross-industry programmes, CIRO continues to develop the capability, confidence and system-wide understanding needed to support an integrated, highperforming railway.
By investing in people, strengthening collaboration and championing professional excellence, CIRO remains committed to shaping the future of rail, together.
Bronnie Clarke, Head of Control for Network Rail’ s East Midlands Route, and Maro Sakpere, Fleet Service Engineer at Govia Thameslink Railway, shared reflections on their career journeys and the role CIRO’ s learning and professional development support played in helping them progress.
Their contributions provided a powerful demonstration of how investment in professional education translates into real-world operational leadership, while showcasing the value of CIRO’ s academic pathways to the wider industry.
Learn more: https:// www. ciro. org / george-bradshawaddress-2026 / www. ciro. org
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