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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
Making Connections 2024 – What Do Young People Want from a Transit Career?
This session about outreach and retention of youth in transit was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Career Pathways, Community Engagement, Hiring and Recruitment, Making Connections Conference, Policy and Planning
Session Description: As the transit industry works to reach out to the communities it serves to establish strong and effective career pipelines, agencies and their partners often explore how to best attract young people into the industry. In this session, attendees heard from and engaged with young people themselves, along with national and local experts who have conducted research and worked directly with youth. Topics covered include the most effective approaches to connecting with young people and creating awareness and excitement about career opportunities in public transportation.
Moderator:
- Dr. Beverly Scott: Founder and CEO – Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure
Speakers:
- Justin Augustine: Project Manager II – Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
- Kayla Cooper-Redd: 12th Grade Student – TransSTEM Academy, Cardozo High School (DC)
- Sean Holley: Bus Transportation Instructor – Maryland Transit Administration
- Cheryl Rodgers: Director – TransSTEM Academy, Cardozo Education Academy (DC)
- Edwin Rodriguez: Director – Office of Research Management, Innovation, and Outreach – Federal Transit Administration
- Jamaal Schoby: Transportation Planner – Transportation Research Board
Making Connections 2024 – Tracking Your Impact: How Agencies and Unions Analyze and Use Workforce Data
This session about measuring metrics for workforce development initiatives was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Making Connections Conference, Mentorship, Policy and Planning, Retention
Session Description: Employment in public transportation is affected by broad economic and demographic dynamics, but honing in on transit workforce trends can be challenging. The Transit Workforce Center created the Transit Workforce Data Dashboard to distill relevant data points from national datasets. In this session, TWC highlighted specific employment patterns and challenges in transit-related occupations and panelists covered research and trends in national and agency-level datasets.
Moderator:
- Michaela Boneva: Research Associate – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Nick Biggar: District Director – Greater Cleveland RTA
- Valerie Campo: Mentor Program Coordinator – Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit
- Douglas Nevins: Senior Researcher – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Darnell Morris: Vice President – ATU Local 268, Greater Cleveland RTA
- Dr. Shanta Hejmadi: Senior Data Scientist– Metro Transit (MN)
MC24 Tracking Your Impact GCRTA Positive Impact Program
MC24 Tracking Your Impact MTD mentoring metrics
MC24 Tracking Your Impact Metro Transit data tracking
Making Connections 2024 – Creating Community Partnerships for Transit Career Pathways
This half-day intensive session about community partnerships was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Career Pathways, Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Making Connections Conference, Policy and Planning
Session Description: Check out this immersive half-day session designed to provide information, tools, and strategies that build a foundation for career pathways for community members into good jobs and great transit careers. Participants engaged in dialogue with transit professionals on the opportunities in the industry, gain insight into communicating about these opportunities, and explore approaches to establishing working partnerships with transit agencies and their labor and workforce partners.
Attendees dove into strategies and principles for impactful engagement, hearing firsthand accounts of successful collaborative initiatives and messaging strategies that emphasize the impact and value of working in an industry providing a vital public good. Participants gained invaluable insights into building sustainable workforce solutions that mutually benefit the industry and the community.
Key topics included:
- Exploring transit career opportunities
- Messaging and framing
- Building collaborative partnerships
- Real-world success stories
Moderator:
- David Stephen: Senior Communications Specialist – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Rich Diaz: Workforce Development Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1575
- Theus Jones: Recording Secretary – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 (DC)
- Antonio Pollard: Organizer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 (DC)
- Vanessa Sparks: Committee Member – Community Board 12-Queens Transportation Committee
- Carlene Thorbs: Chairperson – Community Board 12-Queens Transportation Committee
Making Connections 2024 – Making Mentoring Matter: Building and Strengthening Your Frontline Worker Mentorship Program
This full-day intensive session about mentorship was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.
Transit Workforce Center
November 2024
TOPICS: Career Pathways, Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Making Connections Conference, Mentorship, Retention, Trainer and Mentor Development
Session Description: Are you looking to establish a program that increases retention, provides an edge in recruitment, and advances a positive and collaborative organizational culture? Well-organized mentorship programs with carefully-selected and trained mentors provide documented benefits for frontline workers and the organization as a whole. Check out this intensive full-day workshop to explore how to:
- Initiative, develop, manage, and maintain a strong mentorship program
- Establish a collaborative structure and culture that runs and maintains that program
- Select and train effective mentors
- Explore occupation-specific approaches, challenges, and systems
- Track metrics that measure progress and success
Throughout this full-day intensive, attendees engaged with experienced instructors, facilitators, and peers to:
- Review the foundational elements of transit-based mentorship programs
- Experience TWC’s mentor training program, including: a review of mentor roles; an introduction to varied learning styles; and an examination of communications and problem-solving skills
Moderators:
- Maurice Beard: Senior Workforce Development Advisor – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
- Karitsa Holdzkom: Senior Policy Analyst – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
Speakers:
- Stu Bass: Principal – Progress Worx; Founding Director – Keystone Development Partnership
- Nick Biggar: District Director – Greater Cleveland RTA
- Valerie Campo: Mentor Program Coordinator – Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit
- Lee Estis: Mentor Program Coordinator – Metropolitan Council-Metro Transit (MN)
- Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
- Steve Jovel: Operations Manager, Workforce Development – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
- Vanessa L’Esperance: Apprenticeship Program Coordinator – Metro Transit/ATU Local 1005 (MN)
- Dionna McCane: ATU Mentorship and Apprenticeship Coordinator – IndyGo
- Darnell Morris: Vice President – ATU Local 268, Greater Cleveland RTA
- Harpreet Singh: JWI Co-Director – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Directory of Grant Writers
The purpose of this Directory is to connect transit managers looking to contract with grant writing consultants available for hire. Agencies can contact grant writers using their information provided by clicking the link below.
National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)
October 2024
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The purpose of this Directory is to connect transit managers looking to contract with grant writing consultants available for hire. Agencies can contact grant writers using their information provided by clicking the link below.
2024 Sector Strategies Framework
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released an updated Sector Strategies Framework to guide national, state, and local practitioners in their efforts to launch and implement effective sector strategies. It clearly lays out essential concepts and was developed to harness lessons learned from the field, provide support to overcome common barriers, and help practitioners build knowledge in new areas.
WorkforceGPS
September 2024
TOPICS: Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Low-No, Policy and Planning, Retention, Trainer and Mentor Development, Training, Workforce Shortage
In September 2024, ETA released an updated Sector Strategies Framework to guide national, state, and local practitioners in their efforts to launch and implement effective sector strategies. The Framework is intended to advance knowledge and support the development, scaling, and durability of sector strategies. It provides workforce system practitioners with a clear picture of the concepts and elements essential to the successful implementation of sector partnerships and sector strategies. The Sector Strategies Framework was developed by ETA to harness lessons learned from the field, provide support to overcome common barriers, and help practitioners build knowledge in new areas.
Along with the Framework, the ETA released additional resources including:
- Implementation Guide and Self-Assessment and Action Planning Tool: Resources to help practitioners implement the Framework and assess and strengthen existing sector strategies efforts.
- ETA Blog Post: “Demand-driven training: Reimagining sector partnerships to build career pathways”
- Training and Employment Notice No. 08-24: Release and Availability of Updated 2024 U.S. Department of Labor’s Sector Strategies Framework
- Virtual Training Series: Learn more about the Framework and strategies to implement and scale sector strategies by viewing each session in this three-part series.
Rural Outreach Strategies: Connecting Workers and Employers to the Workforce System
Bringing services to rural workers and employers has long been a challenge in the workforce development system. This webinar features two real-world solutions: the use of mobile units, and the use of virtual job fairs.
WorkforceGPS
August 2024
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Bringing services to rural workers and employers has long been a challenge in the workforce development system. This webinar features two real-world solutions: the use of mobile units, and the use of virtual job fairs.
Hear from South Carolina and Massachusetts about their successful implementation of their unique strategies.
MODERATOR(S)
- Tim Theberge, Division Director, Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance
PRESENTER(S)
- Adam Wagoner, Deputy Director, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
- Chris Mills, Program Coordinator, MassHire Department of Career Services
Transit Workforce Development Challenges and Mitigation Practices
This research summarizes existing studies on workforce development challenges within the transit industry. It provides a comprehensive overview of major findings and recommendations, focusing on current trends and effective strategies to address talent retention and attraction.
San Jose State University
August 2024
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The goal of this research is to provide transit industry executives and transportation professionals with awareness of the many tools that are available to help attract more qualified candidates to the transit industry, as well as ways to advance the development
of the transit workforce. This research highlights social media recruiting; online hiring platform improvements; and partnerships with career centers, universities, and recruitment centers to attract new employees to the transit workforce. In addition, increases in pay, benefits, bonuses, providing flexible schedule options, and some other atypical ideas have successfully been used to retain workers in the transit workforce. This research focuses on ways in which all transit stakeholders can invest in all aspects of industry workforce development to ensure qualified employees choose the transit industry and that they are subsequently trained to be the most beneficial assets to the organization and remain there via effective retention strategies.