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.

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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.

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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)

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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

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Making Connections 2024 – Making Mentoring Matter: Building and Strengthening Your Frontline Worker Mentorship Program

This full-day intensive session about mentorship 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: Are you looking to establish a program that increases retention, provides an edge in recruitment, and advances a positive and collaborative organizational culture? Well-organized mentorship programs with carefully-selected and trained mentors provide documented benefits for frontline workers and the organization as a whole. Check out this intensive full-day workshop to explore how to:

  • Initiative, develop, manage, and maintain a strong mentorship program
  • Establish a collaborative structure and culture that runs and maintains that program
  • Select and train effective mentors
  • Explore occupation-specific approaches, challenges, and systems
  • Track metrics that measure progress and success

Throughout this full-day intensive, attendees engaged with experienced instructors, facilitators, and peers to:

  • Review the foundational elements of transit-based mentorship programs
  • Experience TWC’s mentor training program, including: a review of mentor roles; an introduction to varied learning styles; an exploration of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in mentoring; and an examination of communications and problem-solving skills

Moderators: 

  • Maurice Beard: Senior Workforce Development Advisor – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
  • Karitsa Holdzkom: Senior Policy Analyst – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

  • Stu Bass: Principal – Progress Worx; Founding Director – Keystone Development Partnership
  • Nick Biggar: District Director – Greater Cleveland RTA
  • Valerie Campo: Mentor Program Coordinator – Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit
  • Lee Estis: Mentor Program Coordinator – Metropolitan Council-Metro Transit (MN)
  • Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
  • Steve Jovel: Operations Manager, Workforce Development – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
  • Vanessa L’Esperance: Apprenticeship Program Coordinator – Metro Transit/ATU Local 1005 (MN)
  • Dionna McCane: ATU Mentorship and Apprenticeship Coordinator – IndyGo
  • Darnell Morris: Vice President – ATU Local 268, Greater Cleveland RTA
  • Harpreet Singh: JWI Co-Director – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

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Map – Apprenticeship and Mentorship Programs

This map visualizes the growing trend of registered apprenticeship in U.S. transit agencies, displaying transit locations with registered apprenticeship or mentorship programs. Users can reveal information about the active apprenticeship/mentorship programs at each agency, the agency’s workforce-related statistics (such as wage, employee count, labor hours, and ridership), and links to Standards of Apprenticeship, which include details about qualifications, wages, hours, and training schedules.

Transit Workforce Center

September 2024

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Case Study: Mentoring in the Paratransit Setting

In Ohio, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 268 have pioneered a structured mentoring program for paratransit operators. This “mini case study” focuses on their lessons learned from its first two years.

Transit Workforce Center

September 2024

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“Someone to Rely On”

Mentoring programs are growing more common across transit agencies in the U.S., but most of them are specific to fixed-route operators and technicians. In Ohio, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 268 have pioneered a structured mentoring program for paratransit operators, as well as fixed-route operators. This “mini case study” focuses on the paratransit mentoring program, including lessons learned from its first two years.

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Case Management and Coaching for Pre-Apprentices and Apprentices

Working with pre-apprentices and apprentices requires a combination of case management and coaching. This webinar provides the fundamentals of case management and coaching and teaches a framework for effective service delivery. This session also focuses on the use of assessments for productive service planning, quality program documentation and team communication for successful handoffs.

Workforce GPS

August 2024

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Working with pre-apprentices and apprentices requires a combination of case management and coaching. This webinar provides the fundamentals of case management and coaching and teaches a framework for effective service delivery. This session also focuses on the use of assessments for productive service planning, quality program documentation and team communication for successful handoffs.

MODERATOR(S)
  • Luis Roig, Contracting Officer’s Representative, Office of Apprenticeship, U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
PRESENTER(S)
  • Amy Landesman, Grantee Coach, ICF
  • Valerie Taylor, Grantee Coach, ICF

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Youth Apprenticeship Access and Success in Rural Communities

In rural communities, widely dispersed populations face a multitude of access challenges. Faced with a declining talent pool, lower educational attainment, and rising poverty rates caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to prepare young people in rural areas for high-demand careers.

WorkforceGPS

August 2024

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In rural communities, widely dispersed populations face a multitude of access challenges. Faced with a declining talent pool, lower educational attainment, and rising poverty rates caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to prepare young people in rural areas for high-demand careers.

As part of the Implementing Workforce Programs for Rural Youth series, this webinar, hosted by the Office of Apprenticeship, focused on best practices and creative solutions for increasing pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship access, enrollment, retention, and program completion for young people in rural areas. Featured youth apprenticeship intermediaries and partners shared their accomplishments in developing youth apprenticeship opportunities in rural areas, establishing networks of support, and best utilizing available resources to ensure pre-and youth apprenticeship success.

MODERATOR(S)
  • Maisha Meminger, Manpower Analyst , Division of Youth Services, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
PRESENTER(S)
  • Vanessa Bennett, Associate Director, Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning, Jobs for the Future
  • Zach Boren Senior Policy Program Manager, Urban Institute
  • Bhavani Arabandi, Senior Research Associate, Urban Institute
  • Jacqueline Rayfield, Policy Analyst, Urban Institute

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