Resource Center

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.

MC24 How Techs Learn slides

Transitioning to a ZEB fleet requires thorough planning and consideration of the elements that are unique to ZEBs, such as range limitations, higher vehicle costs, charging and/or hydrogen infrastructure, and operator and maintenance workforce development. Failing to plan around these issues may result in added costs for bus and infrastructure purchases, project delays, service concerns, and operational challenges as low-no become a larger and larger portion of the fleet.

A properly developed Low-No Transition Plan can help overcome these challenges. This Guidebook is intended to give public transit fleet operators the knowledge necessary to plan for a full fleet transition to low-no technologies.

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Link to Access Guidebook

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: 

• Douglas Nevins: Senior Researcher – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

• Dr. Asha Weinstein Agrawal: Director of Education – Mineta Transportation Institute
• Kenneth Blacks: Transportation Program Analyst – Federal Transit Administration
• Michaela Boneva: Research Associate – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
• Dr. Shayna Gleason: Senior Researcher – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

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

Session Description: Consistent with FTA’s strategic goal of driving workforce recruitment, this session explored successful models and strategies for increasing awareness of transit careers among potential workers. Presenters also focused on approaches to recruiting and retaining individuals from varied backgrounds, emphasizing engagement with the communities transit serves. Through discussions of hands-on initiatives, mentoring and training programs, and partnerships between transit agencies and community organizations, this session explored various ways transit systems can create sustainable pipelines to attract and retain talent from communities of different sizes and demographics.

Moderator: 

• David Stephen: Senior Communications Specialist – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

• Scott Joiner: Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)
• Adam Parast: Enterprise and Strategic Initiatives Lead – King County Metro (WA)
• Antonio Pollard: Organizer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 (DC)
• Dan Stoffer: Manager, Bus Instruction – Metro Transit (MN)
• Jaymi Swarbrick: Director of Human Resources – Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa – MA)
• Trenise Winters: Assistant Executive Director – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)

MC24 Successful Models for Career Awareness slides

Session Description: As the transit industry accelerates toward new fuel technologies, a comprehensive workforce strategy is essential for a successful transition. This session focused on creating effective plans for workforce development, implementing targeted training programs with an emphasis on safety, and ensuring long-term success in transitioning to new fuels. Attendees learned about applied research, innovative training solutions, and technical assistance designed to help transit agencies develop a skilled workforce equipped to support new technologies.

Moderator:

• Jason Macumber: Senior Advisor of Workforce Development and Technology – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

• Eliseo Acosta Jr: Workforce Development Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union
• Mark Finnicum: Chief Operation Officer – Stark Area Regional Transit Authority
• Molly King: Deputy Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration, and Innovation – Federal Transit Administration
• Jennifer Sweten: Director of Operations – Missoula Urban Transportation District
• Billy Terry: Director – National Transit Institute (NTI)

MC24 ZEV Transition Strategy Workshop slides

Session Description: Strong workforce development programs are most often built on an equally strong foundation of effective labor-management partnership, and, across all types of transit agencies, the ability for frontline workers to have a voice in workforce decisions. Join this session to hear from and engage with national and local leaders from management, labor, and government about how to establish and sustain these collaborative partnerships, facilitate frontline worker involvement, and the benefits these initiatives bring to individual agencies, the workforce, and the industry as a whole.

Moderator: 

• Darnice Marsh: Labor Management Partnership Coordinator – U.S. Department of Labor

Speakers:

• Sean Adgerson: Deputy Director and COO – Miami-Dade County Transportation & Public Works
• Patrick Brady: Moving Metro Co-Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (WA)
• Joseph D’Elia: President – Transport Workers Union, Local 291 (FL)
• Debra Frazier: Moving Metro Co-Coordinator – King County Metro (WA)
• Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union

MC24 Partnerships slides

Session Description: Participants explored effective methods for identifying training needs and assessing workforce skills gaps to develop robust training programs, all in the context of ensuring worker voice and involvement. The session covered tools and techniques for evaluating current training needs for frontline workers, identified areas for improvement, and aligned training strategies with organizational goals. Attendees learned how to use data-driven approaches to map out training priorities that address immediate operational needs and long-term workforce development.

Moderators:

• Kristen Ribaudo: Senior Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
• Stu Bass: Principal – Progress Worx; Founding Director – Keystone Development Partnership

Speakers:

• Jeffrey Di Perna: Financial Secretary/Treasurer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 85 (PA)
• Jason Macumber: Senior Advisor of Workforce Development and Technology – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

MC24 Training Needs, Skills Gaps, and Training Programs slides