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twc@transportcenter.orgResource Center
The Transit Workforce Center is pleased to host a curated collection of publications and other materials to assist stakeholders engaged in transit workforce development. The Resource Center includes case studies, training materials, research reports, and other materials of interest, including publications produced by federal government agencies, transit organizations, and independent research entities. Resources may be filtered by topic, resource type, and transit mode. This TWC blog post explains how to use the Resource Center.
We are continuing to update the Resource Center regularly. Please contact us via the Request Help menu option if you would like assistance using the Resource Center or are looking for resources on a particular topic. We also welcome suggestions of topics or specific resources to add.
Content in external resources linked from the Resource Center is solely the responsibility of the resource authors and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of or endorsement by the Transit Workforce Center.
CLEAR
The Indirect Benefits of a Transit Apprenticeship and its Potential Value as a Flexible Postsecondary Pathway
As apprenticeships become more prevalent in the transit industry, they can also emphasize both technical and soft skills to invest in career advancement. This can attract young people to transit careers, which helps address challenges with recruitment and an aging workforce. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Joint Workforce Initiative (JWI) employs this model by formally recognizing skills acquisition with accredited certificates. This study explores the JWI’s strengths within the revival of non-degree credentials fueled by efforts like the California Guided Pathways Program. Drawing on guidelines for connecting job training with degree programs, the study details the importance of affordability, portability, and articulation and outlines how these features could be further developed in the JWI.
Mineta Transportation Institute
December 2024
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Community Engagement, Hiring and Recruitment, Workforce Shortage
National Apprenticeship Resource Hub
Apprenticeship Programs can help employers develop their future workforce and meet their business needs. The National Apprenticeship Resource Hub includes National Occupational Frameworks which can help develop a new apprenticeship program or refine an existing program. Each framework outlines the basic information sponsors need to register an apprenticeship program in their occupation.
The Urban Institute
December 2024
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The National Apprenticeship Resource Hub includes Occupational Frameworks which can help develop a new apprenticeship program or refine an existing program. Each framework outlines the basic information sponsors need to register an apprenticeship program in their occupation including an occupational overview that describes the occupation, alternative job titles, and any prerequisites; a work process schedule that outlines what organizations can expect apprentices to learn on the job and the required hours; and a related technical instruction outline that presents considerations for courses and training apprentices can pursue during the apprenticeship. The National Occupational Frameworks also include detailed instructions on how to use them when creating your registration application.
Making Connections 2024 – The College Connection: Strategies for Effective Partnerships
This session about partnerships between transit and local colleges was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Hiring and Recruitment, Making Connections Conference, Retention, Training
Session Description: Strong partnerships between transit and local colleges across the country currently support recruitment, retention, apprenticeships and other career advancement initiatives developed by agencies and their workforce partners. Presenters in this session reviewed and discussed several different models of industry-education partnerships, focusing on how to establish productive working relationships with local colleges to advance workforce development goals.
Moderator:
- Patricia Greenfield: Senior Director, Workforce Education – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Jason Abbott: Executive Director, Workforce Operations – Cuyahoga Community College
- Celeste Chavis: Interim Chair and Professor, Transportation & Urban Infrastructure Studies – Morgan State University (Baltimore)
- Rich Diaz: Workforce Development Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1575
- Rob Gamble: Sr Workforce and Academic Strategist – California Transit Works!
Making Connections 2024 – How Do Technicians Learn? Exploring Successful Approaches for Developing Skills
This session about training transit technicians was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
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Session Description: This session delved into the most effective methods for training technicians to maintain today’s fleets of complex technology. We focused on proven strategies, such as starting with the fundamentals and progressing to hands-on training. Additionally, we discussed the value of mentorship and apprenticeship to facilitate the retention of the trained frontline workforce.
Moderator:
- Jason Macumber: Senior Advisor of Workforce Development and Technology – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Russell Anderson: Director Bus Maintenance Training – California Transit Works!
- Staci Hanna: Maintenance Training Manager – TriMet
- Brian Markey: Chief Executive Officer – Custom Training Aids Inc.
Making Connections 2024 – Apprenticeship 101 – How Transit Apprenticeship Operates
This session about transit apprenticeships was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Hiring and Recruitment, Making Connections Conference, Policy and Planning, Retention
Session Description: Apprenticeship programs are rapidly expanding at transit locations across the country. With quality training tied to clearly-identified career ladders and advancement, these programs are commonly regarded as the “gold standard” of workforce development. Documented benefits include increased retention, reductions in absenteeism, and the creation of a sustainable talent pipeline. These programs also result in better employee morale and a more engaged workforce. In this session, presenters walked through the essential steps to developing, registering, and implementing an apprenticeship program. Attendees heard from and engaged with transit labor and management about their joint programs including bus maintenance, traction power, HVAC/facilities, and signals/communications—and explore how to locate and access resources to support new and existing programs.
Moderator:
- Brian J. Turner: Founding Director – International Transportation Learning Center
Speakers:
- Michelle Allison: General Manager – King County Metro (WA)
- Maurice Beard: Senior Workforce Development Advisor –
- Norman Blessant: Financial Secretary/Treasurer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 381 (UT)
- Rod Dunn: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 382 (UT)
- Brandee Gross: Program Manager, Workforce Development – Maryland Department of Transportation
- Dimas Koral-Arocho: Program Manager – King County Metro (WA)
- Stephanie Lewis: Workforce Development Project Manager – Center for Urban Transportation Research
- Kylee Parker: Shop Steward/Joint Apprenticeship Committee Chairman – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 (MD)
- Jeff Stambaugh: Vice President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (WA)
- Greg Woodfill: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (WA)
ATTAIN Facilities & Elevator/Escalator Maintenance Meeting
This ATTAIN meeting featured discussions from Pittsburgh Regional Transit/ATU 85 and Bay Area Rapid Transit about how their facilities and elevator/escalator maintenance apprenticeship programs are developed, work, and the benefits they offer.
Transit Workforce Center
September 2024
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The American Transit Training and Apprenticeship Innovators Network (ATTAIN) is a peer network created for transit agencies and labor unions to explore new apprenticeship programs or enhance existing programs for their frontline workforce. Through ATTAIN, TWC promotes apprenticeship, advances frontline worker training, facilitates peer exchange, and provides technical assistance to agencies and unions interested in developing apprenticeship programs for their frontline workforce.
This ATTAIN meeting featured discussions from Pittsburgh Regional Transit/ATU 85 and Bay Area Rapid Transit about how their facilities and elevator/escalator maintenance apprenticeship programs are developed, work, and the benefits they offer.
Map – Apprenticeship and Mentorship Programs
This map visualizes the growing trend of registered apprenticeship in U.S. transit agencies, displaying transit locations with registered apprenticeship or mentorship programs. Users can reveal information about the active apprenticeship/mentorship programs at each agency, the agency’s workforce-related statistics (such as wage, employee count, labor hours, and ridership), and links to Standards of Apprenticeship, which include details about qualifications, wages, hours, and training schedules.
Transit Workforce Center
September 2024
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Community Engagement, Labor-Management Partnerships, Mentorship
Mini Case Studies: Low-No Workforce Transition
In the past decade, the number of hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell buses has increased substantially across the U.S., particularly as transit locations have made use of FTA’s Low-No grant program. Well-developed and proactive training and preparation of technicians and operators is critical for a successful transition to new vehicle technologies; maintaining and operating newly procured vehicles effectively is necessary for fleet reliability and efficiency. Transit locations have supported training and other initiatives through FTA’s Low-No grants, which offer 5% for workforce development, as well as through formula funds. These mini case studies offer examples of training, retention, and procurement methods being used by transit agencies to support new fleet technologies.
Transit Workforce Center
August 2024
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In the past decade, the number of hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen fuel cell buses has increased substantially across the U.S., particularly as transit locations have made use of FTA’s Low-No grant program. Well-developed and proactive training and preparation of technicians and operators is critical for a successful transition to new vehicle technologies; maintaining and operating newly procured vehicles effectively is necessary for fleet reliability and efficiency. Transit locations have supported training and other initiatives through FTA’s Low-No grants, which offer 5% for workforce development, as well as through formula funds. These mini case studies offer examples of training, retention, and procurement methods being used by transit agencies to support new fleet technologies.
- Foundational Skills and Technician Engagement at Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District
- Bringing Training In-House at Mountain Line and Teamsters Local 2
- Transferable Knowledge and Train-the-Trainer at IndyGo and ATU Local 1070
- Innovative Technology and Documentation for Workforce Transitioning at AC Transit and ATU Local 192
- Training Operators Through Pre-Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, and Mentorship at Golden Gate Transit and ATU Local 1575
- Frontline Worker Involvement in Vehicle Procurement at SporTran and ATU Local 588
- Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence at SARTA and AFSCME Local 1880