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.
Integrating eLearning in Transit Frontline Learning
In this webinar, guest speaker Ron Thiele, Xpan Interactive, presented on ways in which some transit organizations use eLearning.
This is one of several skill booster events held by the International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC).
International Transportation Learning Center
May 2020
TOPICS: Trainer and Mentor Development, Training
Establishing a National Transit Industry Rail Vehicle Technician Qualification Program—Building for Success
TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Report 170: Establishing a National Transit Industry Rail Vehicle Technician Qualification Program—Building for Success describes a system of qualification that has been developed for rail vehicle technicians. This qualification system is available for implementation through the Transportation Learning Center.
The program integrates national training standards, progressive classroom curricula and introductory courseware, on-the-job learning modules, an apprenticeship framework that combines well-designed sequences of learning, mentoring to support learners, and coordination of classroom and on-the-job learning. The qualification system also includes written and hands-on certification assessments to confirm that technicians have the practical knowledge and skills required to perform their jobs at the highest level of expertise.
Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) & International Transportation Learning Center
January 2014
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A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors
This TCRP report provides a proposed national program structure and plan for training and certifying transit bus and rail maintenance instructors. The report also provides best practices used in the public and private sectors to prepare and certify technical instructors, as well as the attributes and instructional delivery methods found most effective for maintenance instructors.
Transit Cooperative Research Program
January 2015
TOPICS: Trainer and Mentor Development, Training
Contributor(s): National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Transportation Research Board; Transit Cooperative Research Program Synthesis Program; Transit Cooperative Research Program; Transportation Learning Center; Educational Data Systems Inc
West Coast Center of Excellence in Zero Emission Technology
SunLine Transit Agency’s West Coast Center of Excellence in Zero Emission Technology (WCCOE) is a workforce development program focused on deploying and operating zero emission buses in public fleets. Funded by the FTA, this center provide training, best practice information and access to technology and software geared towards the planning, procurement and deployment of zero emission buses.
SunLine Transit Agency
TOPICS: Low-No, Trainer and Mentor Development, Training
Course offerings include:
• Leadership and Employee Relations
• Zero Emission Bus Overview
• Zero Emission Bus Operations
• Zero Emission Bus Maintenance
• Financial Management
• Zero Emission Bus Procurement
• Zero Emission Bus Policies and Regulations
• Planning for ZEB Operation
ATTAIN Bus Operator Mentorship and Apprenticeship Webinar
This webinar featured presenters from Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC)/ATU Local 1220 in Virginia and Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) in Illinois.
Transit Workforce Center
July 2025
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Community Engagement, Labor-Management Partnerships, Mentorship
This webinar featured presenters from Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC)/ATU Local 1220 in Virginia and Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) in Illinois.
- GRTC and ATU Local 1220 partnered to implement a mentorship program for their bus operators that launched in 2024. Presenters will describe that process, how the program has grown, and the benefits that it has provided.
- MTD launched its bus operator mentorship program in 2023 and has tracked metrics showing the program’s impact. Responding to both quantitative measures and qualitative feedback and observations, MTD is working to restructure the program to better meet the needs of the transit agency and the bus operators participating in the program as mentees or mentors.
ATTAIN Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Webinar
This ATTAIN webinar focused on bus maintenance apprenticeship programs and featured Milwaukee County Transit System/Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 and Jacksonville Transit Authority/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 759. Panelists from these transit agencies and labor unions outlined the development process and the final structure of their apprenticeship programs while highlighting how this strategy was implemented and why it works, offering benefits for both the agency and the workforce.
Transit Workforce Center
May 2025
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This ATTAIN webinar focused on bus maintenance apprenticeship programs and featured Milwaukee County Transit System/Amalgamated Transit Union Local 998 and Jacksonville Transit Authority/International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Lodge 759. Panelists from these transit agencies and labor unions outlined the development process and the final structure of their apprenticeship programs while highlighting how this strategy was implemented and why it works, offering benefits for both the agency and the workforce.
Latinos in Transit Membership Guide
Latinos in Transit is committed to empowering professionals in the transit industry to achieve leadership roles by advancing opportunities for workforce development, mentorship, networking, and education. The LIT Membership Guide explains membership levels and benefits, as well as programming, access, participation, opportunities, and more.
Latinos in Transit
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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.