Resource 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.

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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.

pdf MC24 How Techs Learn slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Integrating AI into Training Design and Development

This session about applications of artificial intelligence in training and development efforts 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: In this workshop, participants explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can revolutionize training and development efforts. We explored practical applications of AI throughout the ADDIE model and advanced usages of AI for helping trainers synthesize information from large datasets. Attendees also learned about the ethical considerations surrounding AI in training and how to effectively use AI tools by improving prompt engineering to craft content.

Moderator:

  • Arnett Powell: Adjunct Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

  • Addie Khanu: Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
  • Jeff Pratt: Manager of Training – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)
  • Michael Tomlinson: Solution Architect – Xpan

pdf MC24 Integrating AI in Training slides
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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

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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!

pdf MC24 College Connection slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Workforce Data in Context – National Trends, Future Projections, and Implications for Transit Locations

This session about national and agency-level workforce datasets 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: 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

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Making Connections 2024 – Moving Toward Solutions for Transit Worker Safety

This session about transit worker safety 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: Transit workers operate in a challenging environment in close contact with the public. Recent years have seen an increase in assaults on transit vehicles and in transit facilities, making the protection of transit workers and riders a crucial goal for the industry. This presentation will feature perspectives from research, transit agency labor and management, and the federal government. Panelists shared updates on transit assault trends, examples of mitigation strategies identified through engagement with agency leaders and frontline workers, innovations in operator workspace design, and models of successful joint labor-management safety planning through FTA’s updated PTASP rule.

Moderator:

  • Lisa Staes: Associate Director – Center for Urban Transportation Research

Speakers:

  • Lisa Staes: Associate Director – Center for Urban Transportation Research
  • Russell Bateman: Training and Education Administrator – Amalgamated Transit Union
  • Andrew Falotico: Health and Safety Director – Amalgamated Transit Union
  • Alexander Houck: Deputy Chief Safety Officer – Maryland Transit Administration
  • Stewart Mader: Senior Program Analyst for Safety Policy – Federal Transit Administration
  • Michael McMillan: President and Business Agent – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 (MD)

pdf MC24 Transit Worker Safety slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Identifying and Accessing Funding to Support and Expand Your Workforce Development Initiatives

This session about funding opportunities for workforce development 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: Good workforce development programs require resources and investment. Funding is available through a variety of programs to help subsidize the workforce development efforts of transit agencies and their partners. With the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal government committed to providing funding, through a variety of new and existing competitive grant programs, that can be used for workforce development and training activities. This session featured an overview of funding opportunities, the types of projects that have been awarded funding, and resources available to stay informed about workforce development related grants from a variety of sources.

Moderator:

  • Karitsa Holdzkom: Senior Policy Analyst  – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

  • Eliseo Acosta Jr: Workforce Development Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union
  • Josh Baker: CEO – AMTRAN
  • Stu Bass: Principal – Progress Worx; Founding Director – Keystone Development Partnership
  • Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
  • Paige Shevlin: Strategic Advisor – Department of Transportation
  • Rob Gamble: Sr Workforce and Academic Strategist – California Transit Works!

pdf MC24 Identifying and Accessing Funding slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Mental Health, Well-Being, and Resilience for Transit Workers: Current Research, Practical Applications, and Best Practice Guidelines for Workforce Development

This session about the importance of mental health resources for transit workers 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 explored mental health and wellness among frontline transit workers, offering actionable insights from the latest research, practical applications, and best practices. Presenters also highlighted the role and importance of workforce development strategies in promoting a healthier, more productive workforce, and its potential organizational impacts, such as reduced turnover and absenteeism.

Moderator: 

  • Karen Philbrick: Executive Director/CEO – Mineta Transportation Institute

Speakers:

  • Janie Berry: Deputy Director of Human Resources –Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
  • Sandy Brennan: Vice President and Project Manager – Foursquare Integrated Transportation Planning
  • Michael Coplen: President & Founder – TrueSafety Evaluation, LLC
  • John Courtney: Amalgamated Transportation Union Representative – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265
  • Ed Watt: Principal – WattADR

pdf MC24 Transit Worker Mental Health slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Identifying Training Needs, Assessing Workforce Skills Gaps, and Creating Strong Training Programs

This session about assessing training needs and workforce skills gaps 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: 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

pdf MC24 Training Needs, Skills Gaps, and Training Programs slides
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