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twc@transportcenter.orgTransit Workforce Center Case Studies
Spotlighting Innovative Success Stories from Transit Systems Across the United States
As FTA’s technical assistance center for transit workforce development, the Transit Workforce Center receives requests from transit agencies and their partners on topics such as recruitment, retention, zero-emission transitions, and more. The TWC research team has been compiling examples of innovative practices in these and other areas to help transit systems and their partners across the US learn from each other to develop and maintain their own workforce initiatives. We’re always looking for more examples of unique and helpful strategies in workforce development. Have an example you think we should share? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Outreach & Recruitment from Underserved Populations
In the face of a workforce shortage and the ongoing need to hire workers to keep pace with retirements, recruiting people into transit roles is especially important. Agencies and their partners can expand their recruitment efforts by targeting populations who may not always be considered.
Mentorship & Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships and mentorships serve as pathways to well-paying, long-term careers, while providing a job, learning experience, and support system for people early in their careers. While well-established in related industries, these programs are newer to transit; learning from existing practices in creating and monitoring apprenticeships and mentorships can help agencies and unions begin their own.
Supportive Services
There are many reasons why agencies may experience challenges with retention, including workers struggling with responsibilities or issues outside of work that can make maintaining a job difficult. Supportive services, such as childcare or housing assistance, can help transit locations recruit and retain good workers, improve workplace culture, and increase workforce diversity.
ZEV Workforce Transitions
As more funding becomes available for low- and no-emission transit vehicles, including dedicated funding for workforce development, transit locations are beginning and continuing their transitions to zero-emission fleets, which require workforce considerations to prepare and retain mechanics and operators.