Resource Center

Session Description: Strong workforce development programs are most often built on an equally strong foundation of effective labor-management partnership, and, across all types of transit agencies, the ability for frontline workers to have a voice in workforce decisions. Join this session to hear from and engage with national and local leaders from management, labor, and government about how to establish and sustain these collaborative partnerships, facilitate frontline worker involvement, and the benefits these initiatives bring to individual agencies, the workforce, and the industry as a whole.

Moderator: 

• Darnice Marsh: Labor Management Partnership Coordinator – U.S. Department of Labor

Speakers:

• Sean Adgerson: Deputy Director and COO – Miami-Dade County Transportation & Public Works
• Patrick Brady: Moving Metro Co-Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (WA)
• Joseph D’Elia: President – Transport Workers Union, Local 291 (FL)
• Debra Frazier: Moving Metro Co-Coordinator – King County Metro (WA)
• Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union

MC24 Partnerships slides

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

MC24 Training Needs, Skills Gaps, and Training Programs slides

Session Description: As the transit industry works to reach out to the communities it serves to establish strong and effective career pipelines, agencies and their partners often explore how to best attract young people into the industry. In this session, attendees heard from and engaged with young people themselves, along with national and local experts who have conducted research and worked directly with youth. Topics covered include the most effective approaches to connecting with young people and creating awareness and excitement about career opportunities in public transportation.

Moderator:

• Dr. Beverly Scott: Founder and CEO – Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure

Speakers:

• Justin Augustine: Project Manager II – Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District
• Kayla Cooper-Redd: 12th Grade Student – TransSTEM Academy, Cardozo High School (DC)
• Sean Holley: Bus Transportation Instructor – Maryland Transit Administration
• Cheryl Rodgers: Director – TransSTEM Academy, Cardozo Education Academy (DC)
• Edwin Rodriguez: Director – Office of Research Management, Innovation, and Outreach – Federal Transit Administration
• Jamaal Schoby: Transportation Planner – Transportation Research Board

MC24 Youth in Transit slides

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

MC24 Innovative Mentoring Models

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!

MC24 Identifying and Accessing Funding slides

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 diverse 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

MC24 Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies slides

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

MC24 Transit Worker Mental Health slides

Session Description: Apprenticeship programs are rapidly expanding at transit locations across the country. With quality training tied to clearly-identified career ladders and advancement, these programs are commonly regarded as the “gold standard” of workforce development. Documented benefits include increased retention, reductions in absenteeism, and the creation of a sustainable talent pipeline. These programs also result in better employee morale and a more engaged workforce. In this session, presenters walked through the essential steps to developing, registering, and implementing an apprenticeship program. Attendees heard from and engaged with transit labor and management about their joint programs including bus maintenance, traction power, HVAC/facilities, and signals/communications—and explore how to locate and access resources to support new and existing programs.

Moderator: 

• Brian J. Turner: Founding Director – International Transportation Learning Center

Speakers:

• Michelle Allison: General Manager – King County Metro (WA)
• Maurice Beard: Senior Workforce Development Advisor –
• Norman Blessant: Financial Secretary/Treasurer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 381 (UT)
• Rod Dunn: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 382 (UT)
• Brandee Gross: Program Manager, Workforce Development – Maryland Department of Transportation
• Dimas Koral-Arocho: Program Manager – King County Metro (WA)
• Stephanie Lewis: Workforce Development Project Manager – Center for Urban Transportation Research
• Kylee Parker: Shop Steward/Joint Apprenticeship Committee Chairman – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 (MD)
• Jeff Stambaugh: Vice President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (WA)
• Greg Woodfill: President – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 (WA)

MC24 Apprenticeship 101 slides