TRANSIT MODE

ITLC Signals Training Consortium

The International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) organizes multiple national training consortia to develop standards-based national training courseware for frontline occupations in public transportation organizations.

In 2013, public transportation agencies and unions across the country came together to form the National Signals Maintenance Training Consortium. They were driven to create a full set of standardized national courseware to support training and apprenticeship programs for signal maintainers. Since then, over 70 signals maintenance subject matter experts from 26 member agencies and unions have worked with instructional systems designers from the ITLC to create a comprehensive training program for signal maintainers.

International Transportation Learning Center

November 2022

ITLC Elevator/Escalator Training Consortium

The International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) organizes multiple national training consortia to develop standards-based national training courseware for frontline occupations in public transportation organizations.

The Transit Elevator-Escalator Training Consortium (the Consortium) was the first in an ongoing series of industry-wide collaborative programs to develop integrated systems of training for key frontline occupations in public transportation. Building on national training standards developed by industry Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from 2006 to 2010 and then adopted by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Consortium developed a full set of standardized national courseware to support training and apprenticeship programs for transit elevator/escalator (El-Es) technicians. The curriculum and courseware development team was composed of subject matter experts (SMEs) from five member agencies and unions from across the country. Membership of the Consortium consists of transit systems that maintain their vertical transportation equipment in-house, rather than relying on outside contractors. Equipment manufacturers contributed access to their technical drawings and manuals to enrich the courseware.

The list of courseware as of Summer 2020 is contained in the attached catalog.

International Transportation Learning Center

September 2020

ITLC Rail Car Training Consortium

The International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) organizes multiple national training consortia to develop standards-based national training courseware for frontline occupations in public transportation organizations.

Started in late 2015, the National Rail Car Training Consortium has moved forward with its mission to create standardized national training courseware for rail car technicians. The development team composed of over 40 rail car maintenance subject matter experts (SMEs) from 18 member agencies and unions from across the country, along with instructional systems designers from the ITLC, design curriculum and courseware for the rail and transit industry.

The attached catalog contains a summary of Consortium courseware.

International Transportation Learning Center

July 2020

The Transit Elevator-Escalator Training Consortium: A Model for Successful Training Development

A report on the process, products and outcomes related to the first National consortium for development of training for public transportation maintenance employees. This joint labor-management effort set a proven model for multiple other similar consortia. Products include – instruction ready courseware, a nationally recognized apprenticeship program for transit maintenance elevator/escalator maintainers and train-the-trainer program.

International Transportation Learning Center

September 2016

TCRP Report 170: Establishing a National Transit Industry Rail Vehicle Technician Qualification Program—Building for Success

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 170: Establishing a National Transit Industry Rail Vehicle Technician Qualification Program—Building for Success describes a system of qualification that has been developed for rail vehicle technicians. This qualification system is available for implementation through the Transportation Learning Center.

The program integrates national training standards, progressive classroom curricula and introductory courseware, on-the-job learning modules, an apprenticeship framework that combines well-designed sequences of learning, mentoring to support learners, and coordination of classroom and on-the-job learning. The qualification system also includes written and hands-on certification assessments to confirm that technicians have the practical knowledge and skills required to perform their jobs at the highest level of expertise.

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) & International Transportation Learning Center

January 2014

National Apprenticeship Guidelines for Rail Vehicle Maintenance Technician

​The purpose of these National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards (National Guideline Standards) is to provide policy and guidance to local Sponsors in developing Standards for Apprenticeship for local approval and registration. ​These National Guideline Standards developed by the Sponsor are certified by the U. S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship as substantially conforming to the requirements of Title 29, CFR parts 29 and 30. State Apprenticeship Agencies recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to register local programs, and/or local laws and regulations, may impose additional requirements that must be addressed in the local apprenticeship standards.

This apprenticeship framework was developed by the National Rail Car Training Committee and submitted to US DOL by the International Transportation Learning Center.

International Transportation Learning Center & National Rail Car Training Committee

June 2013

TCRP Synthesis 107: Rail Transit Track Inspection Practices

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)

January 2013

TCRP Synthesis 95: Practices for Wayside Rail Transit Worker Protection

Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP)

January 2012

Rail Vehicles Maintenance Training Standards

​In response to the transit industry’s need for rail vehicles maintenance training, the Transportation Learning Center partnered with APTA, transit agencies and unions representing transit workers to develop these joint labor-management training guidelines and recommended training practices.

​The curriculum, courseware and training guidelines adopted by the group and contained in this Recommended Practice are designed to meet or exceed the licensing requirements of jurisdictions, which currently or in the future, may legislate professional licensure or certification for rail vehicle technicians.

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) & International Transportation Learning Center

June 2010

Current Practices of Rail Vehicle Technician Training and Measures of Competency

​In August 2008, the Transportation Learning Center (TLC or “the Center”) designed and conducted a comprehensive survey on the transit rail car mechanic population and their current training and certification practices based on recommendations from the TCRP E- 7 panel. The Center reached out to transit rail agency managers as well as their union counterparts to complete the online survey. The survey was piloted at four rail locations before being distributed to all 29 rail agencies across the country. At the September 29th Rail Car Training Standards Committee meeting in New York City, the committee members strongly recommended that the Center expand the section on current training practices in the survey questionnaire. Subsequently, a follow-up questionnaire was emailed to those who had already responded and an updated online survey to those who had not.

International Transportation Learning Center

January 2009

Rail Signals Training Content and Standards

Overview of the signals training course  (2 modules—level 100 and 200)​. Related resources can be found by entering “signals” in the search bar.

International Transportation Learning Center

Signal and Track Switch Repairers – occupation information on apprenticeship.gov

US Department of Labor