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: 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: 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 slides

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 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: 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

MC24 Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies slides