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 – Plan, Train, Succeed: Building Your Low-No Workforce Transition Strategy

This session about transitioning the transit workforce to low-no vehicles 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: 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)

pdf MC24 ZEV Transition Strategy Workshop slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies

This session about innovative and engaging training methods 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 was designed to enhance learner engagement by utilizing interactive learning techniques. Through a discussion led by a panel of seasoned instructional designers from varied backgrounds, the workshop demonstrated how to translate material into engaging activities through the use of storytelling, gamification, and real-world problem-solving exercises. Additionally, the workshop showcased a blend of traditional methods and innovative technology tools to create learner-centered instructional experiences that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration through group work and discussions.

Speakers:

  • Julie Deibel-Pundt: Program Director, Instructional Design – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
  • Frank Burnett: Training Specialist – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
  • Allie Franklyn: Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
  • Kristen Ribaudo: Senior Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

pdf MC24 Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies slides
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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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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

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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: 

  • 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)

pdf MC24 Tracking Your Impact GCRTA Positive Impact Program pdf MC24 Tracking Your Impact MTD mentoring metrics pdf MC24 Tracking Your Impact Metro Transit data tracking
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Making Connections 2024 – Mentoring – Innovative Models and Best Practices

This session about innovative mentoring models 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: 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

pdf MC24 Innovative Mentoring Models slides
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