Resource Center

Session Description: De-escalation, conflict avoidance, and conflict resolution are integral to an operator’s job. Operators primarily work alone, and the driver’s seat is an extremely vulnerable position. In this session, we honestly and productively explored the ways in which operators can deal with all manner of attacks, physical and verbal, and analyzed approaches to address the range of challenges that come with this profession. Presenters discussed different training models used to support operators with their challenges and engaged with the audience in considering options that can make a positive impact.

Moderator:

• Maurice Beard: Senior Workforce Development Advisor – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

• Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
• Tricia Prince: Safety and Training Manager – Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
• Lakecha Strickland: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1212 (TN)
• Melissa Thomas: Transportation Training Manager – Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)
• Lisa Rae Vickery: Deputy Director of Operations Development – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

MC24 Conflict Resolution and De-Escalation slides

Session Description: This session dove deeper into targeted recruitment strategies for frontline transit careers. While the general outreach techniques covered in other Making Connections sessions work well across populations, some groups that have historically been underrepresented in transit may need to be recruited through intentional, specific approaches. This session featured industry experts who have been involved with thoughtful, creative recruitment methods targeting groups of people not often considered in recruitment efforts, including veterans, individuals returning to the community after incarceration, people with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness. Participants gained new ideas for innovative recruitment techniques that can bolster the inclusiveness of transit workplaces and identify qualified candidates.

Moderator: 

• Dr. Shayna Gleason: Senior Researcher – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

• Dominique Bolton: Homeless Case Manager – Community Development Inc. (MS)
• Dr. Charles Husband: Program Specialist Team Leader – Mississippi Department of Transportation
• Bianca W. Phillips: Community Recruitment Manager – IndyGo
• Lora Posey: DSA Director – Community Development Inc. (MS)
• Adam Rosenfield: Program Manager, Workforce Outreach – CapMetro
• Judy Shanley: Assistant Vice President & National Director, Transportation & Mobility – Easterseals

MC24 Outreach for Underserved Communities slides

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!

MC24 College Connection slides

Session Description: In this engaging session attendees explored strategies for bridging the skills gaps of new hires and heard from presenters as they shared how they identified critical needs and implemented solutions. Participants took part in a working group to provide feedback on national resources being developed in key areas such as mechanical, electrical, computer skills, shop math, and technical writing.

Moderator: 

• Kristen Ribaudo: Senior Instructional Designer – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

• Michael Hanssen: Supervisor of Technical Skills Training Washington – Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Ona Veda: Manager, Rail Training and Development – Metro Transit (MN)

MC24 Successful Career Pathways slides

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

MC24 Integrating AI in Training slides

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.

MC24 How Techs Learn slides

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)

MC24 Transit Worker Safety slides

Session Description: This session explored ways to increase the number of women in careers in the transit trades through initiatives and partnerships that provide support and opportunities for advancement and training. Panelists addressed the barriers to employment women face in entering frontline transit careers, the types of outreach and support that can increase employment, and described the programs and services that help women thrive in frontline transit careers. Transit agencies and union representatives outlined initiatives designed to increase the representation of women in the transit trades, and women in the industry spoke about their first-hand experiences, the opportunities they have been afforded, and the critical role that workplace culture, programs, and policies played in their success. Attendees also heard about opportunities to engage with federal partners, such as the USDOL Women’s Bureau program and the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) program.

Moderator: 

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

Speakers:

• Annmarie Carmody: Senior Communications Associate – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center
• Shannon Arms: Operations Manager – Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
• Laila Bofia: Utility Mechanic – Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA)
• Tisha Carroll: Workforce Development Program Manager – Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA)
• Lee Gibson, DBA: Talent Acquision Manager – Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA)
• Charles Jenkins: Director – Transport Workers Union Local 100, New York City Transit Training & Upgrading Fund
• Celeste Kirkland: Power Division Vice Chair/Safety Inspector – Transport Workers Union Local 100 (NYC)
• Nicole Neri: Regional Administrator – U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau
• Yvette Trujillo: International Executive Vice President – Amalgamated Transit Union

MC24 Women in Transit Trades slides