IRO


He says: ‘I wanted to increase


the breadth and depth of my railway knowledge, as well as satisfying a desire to study at a higher level and to act as inspiration to my children.’ He studied the IRO’s certificate


course in Railway Operations Management in 2009, then started the diploma course in 2010. Prentice adds: ‘As a driver I am


Chris Owen


pretty much only informed of the “pointy” end. My studies with the IRO have broadened my horizons as to what railway operations are beyond the footplate, and provided me with a more rounded knowledge of the railway industry. ‘On a personal level it has


fulfilled a long-term desire of mine to study at the level of higher education.


Stewart Prentice


A labour of love Stewart Prentice has been a driver at First Capital Connect for 10 months, following a career in the RAF serving as aircrew.


Prentice is ultimately looking to


work at middle management level within a train operating company and has chosen training with the IRO as one of the means to help him to achieve this goal.


‘The course is a labour of


love, though – every module completed represents reaching a new milestone. I have found my studies extremely worthwhile, both academically and personally.’ He is already considering moving on to the degree course on completing the diploma.


Springboard Successful completion of the PDP is an ideal springboard for career advancement, according to Carleen


Myatt, driver manager for First TransPennine Express and graduate of the IRO Diploma. She says: ‘On joining First


TransPennine, I was clear that I wanted to pursue a career in rail operations and, as such, needed a broader understanding of the role of front-line staff and the various disciplines associated with successful rail operations. ‘The IRO Diploma has been ideal in providing me with all of that and giving me the experience I needed to help secure my current role.’


Taking control IRO chairman David Franks is proud of the institution’s achievements and those of his students in its relatively short existence.


He says: ‘I am delighted that people such as Chris, Stewart and Carleen are using our PDP to help take control of their careers. Our courses unlock people’s potential, thereby making both the individual and the industry ever more professional. ‘I urge my colleagues throughout the industry to encourage their operational staff to consider taking our courses,


as possessing the right skills is becoming critical to running a successful operation.’ In addition to the Professional


Development Programme, the IRO also provides a variety of other short, bespoke courses, designed directly to meet the needs of specific areas of the rail sector. Courses are provided as demand requires and are generally short, classroom-based programmes, either at a tailor-made company level or as open access. Courses to date have included The Railway Industry and How it Works Today and Operational Planning and Practice. ‘Go to the IRO website for


full details of both how to join the institution and enrol on our courses,’ says Franks. ‘It’s easy to join – and don’t forget that if your employer is a corporate member of the IRO, the annual subscription is, in most cases, already paid.’


Enrolment for the 2011-2012 Professional Development Programme is now open and runs until 31 July 2011. For further information, please visit the IRO website at www.railwayoperators. org or email education@ railwayoperators.org.


Irish Area


For information on Irish Area events, contact Hilton Parr at: hilton.parr@railwayoperators.org


Scottish Area


For further information on the IRO Scottish Area, contact Ross Campbell on: 0141 242 8620 or email Jim Gillies at: scottish@ railwayoperators.org 22 June: Visit to Shields depot in Glasgow. Meet outside the depot at 17:15 and wear sturdy footwear. Numbers are limited. Please: email scottish@railwayoperators.org for more information


North West Area


9 July: Family Day at Anderton Boat Lift. For more details and to book, contact: thomascox1@sky.com All events bookings and enquiries should be via Roy Chapman at: ironw.booking@ railwayoperators.org General membership enquires should go


to Carl Phillips at: northwest@ railwayoperators.org


North East Area


7 June: Talk: Managing Freight Operations: Life Within a FOC. Speaker: Gordon Cox, Network Rail. Meet at The Academy, Platform 9, York. Time: 17:30 for 18:00 start. 14 July: Visit to Tarmac Quarry and Rail Operations, Tunstead, Derbyshire. Meet at 7:30 outside Doncaster railway station. Places are limited. For information on North East Area events, contact David Monk-Steel at: northeast@ railwayoperators.org or telephone: 01751 473799 during office hours. North East Area meetings normally take place at 17:30 for 18:00, in York.


Midlands Area


18 June: Family Day at East Lancs Railway 10:00 to 17:30. Please email: julia.stanyard@networkrail. co.uk for more information or visit the Midlands section of the IRO website.


For information on Midlands Area events contact Julia Stanyard on: 0121 345 3833 or email: midlands@railwayoperators.org Unless otherwise indicated, our events start at 17.30.


South West Area


21 June: Area event in Cardiff. Further details will be posted on the website in due course. For further details and to book a place, please email: chris.prior@firstgroup.com For information on South West Area events, contact Chris Prior by email: chris.prior@firstgroup.com


South East Area


4 June: Careers Development Day – workshops and presentations from experts. Please email: gary.mewis@ rssb.co.uk for more information. 13 June: Operations control. Time: 16:30 to 18:30. Location: East Anglia House, near Liverpool Street. Please contact glen.merryman@ londonmidland.com to register, as places are strictly limited.


9 July: Javelin test train trip – please note change of date. Time: 10:00. Volunteers are being sought to help test operational timings and station plans. Further details will appear on the IRO website in due course. Contact: lewis.george@ networkrail.co.uk for further information. 11 July: Presentation: Railway Operations During the Olympics – a joint presentation by Network Rail and Southeastern on plans for railway operations during the Olympics. For further information, contact: glen. merryman@londonmidland.com


All South East events take place at London Underground’s HQ, 55 Broadway, St James Park, London SW1, unless otherwise indicated, with a 17:30 for 18:00 start. For further information on the IRO South East Area, contact Jonathan Leithead by email at: jonathan. leithead@networkrail.co.uk


More details of area events are listed on the website at www. railwayoperators.org/Events.aspx


JUNE 2011 PAGE 31


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