Resource Center

Session Description: This dynamic workshop focused on the empowerment and upskilling of frontline transit workers in the face of rapidly evolving technologies of AI and automated vehicles (AV). The session explored innovative projects with industry and academic experts on co-designing and co-implementing AV technologies with deep involvement of transit frontline workers and discussed the importance of equipping workers with essential digital skills and knowledge in AI and AV. We examined strategies for the government, employers, and labor collaboration to ensure these emerging technologies serve as tool for worker empowerment and for improving worker safety and health, rather than causing displacement.

Moderator:

• Brooke DeRenzis: Chief Strategy Officer – National Skills Coalition

Speakers:

• Kimberly Cosby: Strategic Policy Advisor – Technology Institute, AFL-CIO
• Sarah Fox: Assistant Professor – Carnegie Mellon University
• John Lyons: Director of Collective Bargaining – Amalgamated Transit Union
• Arjan Van Andel: Strategy and Innovation Director – GIRO
• Michael Walk: Research Scientist and Program Manager – Transit Mobility Program, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

MC24 AI and Automation Workshop slides Co-Designing the Future of Transit Work CMU

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

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

MC24 Youth in Transit slides

Session Description: An Increasing number of transit agencies across the country have begun mentorship programs to support the frontline workforce and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and skills from experienced workers to new employees. These programs offer many benefits, including improved rates of retention and absenteeism, stronger relationships between the workforce and management, and better employee morale. During this session, attendees learned how transit agencies are incorporating innovative models to tap into the full potential of mentorship programs. Panelists described the positive changes that have resulted from mentorship programs and how they are incorporating new and innovative applications and approaches to multiply these benefits.

Moderator: 

• George Fields: Deputy General Manager, Human Resources – Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

Speakers:

• Ida Marshall: Senior Talent Acquisition Manager – Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
• Wendy V. Talley: Director, Training & Employee Development – Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
• Reginald Howard: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 788 (St. Louis)
• Trenise Winters: Assistant Executive Director – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)
• Maurice Beard: Sr. Workforce Development Advisor – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
• Karitsa Holdzkom: Senior Policy Analyst – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

MC24 Innovative Mentoring Models slides