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twc@transportcenter.orgResource 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.
Directory of Grant Writers
The purpose of this Directory is to connect transit managers looking to contract with grant writing consultants available for hire. Agencies can contact grant writers using their information provided by clicking the link below.
National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP)
October 2024
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The purpose of this Directory is to connect transit managers looking to contract with grant writing consultants available for hire. Agencies can contact grant writers using their information provided by clicking the link below.
ATTAIN Facilities & Elevator/Escalator Maintenance Meeting
This ATTAIN meeting featured discussions from Pittsburgh Regional Transit/ATU 85 and Bay Area Rapid Transit about how their facilities and elevator/escalator maintenance apprenticeship programs are developed, work, and the benefits they offer.
Transit Workforce Center
September 2024
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The American Transit Training and Apprenticeship Innovators Network (ATTAIN) is a peer network created for transit agencies and labor unions to explore new apprenticeship programs or enhance existing programs for their frontline workforce. Through ATTAIN, TWC promotes apprenticeship, advances frontline worker training, facilitates peer exchange, and provides technical assistance to agencies and unions interested in developing apprenticeship programs for their frontline workforce.
This ATTAIN meeting featured discussions from Pittsburgh Regional Transit/ATU 85 and Bay Area Rapid Transit about how their facilities and elevator/escalator maintenance apprenticeship programs are developed, work, and the benefits they offer.
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
TOPICS: Apprenticeship, Career Pathways, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access, Labor-Management Partnerships, Mentorship
2024 Sector Strategies Framework
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released an updated Sector Strategies Framework to guide national, state, and local practitioners in their efforts to launch and implement effective sector strategies. It clearly lays out essential concepts and was developed to harness lessons learned from the field, provide support to overcome common barriers, and help practitioners build knowledge in new areas.
WorkforceGPS
September 2024
TOPICS: Hiring and Recruitment, Labor-Management Partnerships, Policy and Planning, Retention, Trainer and Mentor Development, Training, Workforce Shortage, Zero Emission Buses
In September 2024, ETA released an updated Sector Strategies Framework to guide national, state, and local practitioners in their efforts to launch and implement effective sector strategies. The Framework is intended to advance knowledge and support the development, scaling, and sustainability of sector strategies. It provides workforce system practitioners with a clear picture of the concepts and elements essential to the successful implementation of sector partnerships and sector strategies. The Sector Strategies Framework was developed by ETA to harness lessons learned from the field, provide support to overcome common barriers, and help practitioners build knowledge in new areas.
Along with the Framework, the ETA released additional resources including:
- Implementation Guide and Self-Assessment and Action Planning Tool: Resources to help practitioners implement the Framework and assess and strengthen existing sector strategies efforts.
- ETA Blog Post: “Demand-driven training: Reimagining sector partnerships to build career pathways”
- Training and Employment Notice No. 08-24: Release and Availability of Updated 2024 U.S. Department of Labor’s Sector Strategies Framework
- Virtual Training Series: Learn more about the Framework and strategies to implement and scale sector strategies by viewing each session in this three-part series.
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
TOPICS: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access, Mentorship, Trainer and Mentor Development, Training
“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.
Mini Case Studies: Zero-Emission Bus Workforce Transition
As more funding becomes available for low- and no-emission transit vehicles, more agencies are beginning and continuing their transitions to zero-emission fleets. These mini case studies offer examples of training, procurement, and retention methods being used by agencies at various fleet transition stages.
Transit Workforce Center
August 2024
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As more funding becomes available for low- and no-emission transit vehicles, more agencies are beginning and continuing their transitions to zero-emission fleets. Well-developed and proactive training and preparation of mechanics and operators is critical to a successful ZEV transition, reinforced by dedicated funding for workforce development through FTA’s low-no grants, which offer 5% for workforce development, as well as through FTA formula funds. These mini case studies offer examples of training, procurement, and retention methods being used by agencies at various fleet transition stages.
- Transferable Knowledge and Train-the-Trainer at IndyGo and ATU Local 1070
- Innovative Technology and Documentation for ZEB Workforce Transitioning at AC Transit and ATU Local 192
- Transitioning Operators Through Pre-Apprenticeship, Apprenticeship, and Mentorship at Golden Gate Transit and ATU Local 1575
- Frontline Worker Involvement in ZEB Transitioning at SporTran and ATU Local 588
- Midwest Hydrogen Center of Excellence at SARTA and AFSCME Local 1880
Gold Standard Playbook for Workforce Development
WSP and AFA developed this Workforce Development Playbook, which offers a guide to best practices informed by interviews with key industry stakeholders in California.
Accelerator for America
August 2024
TOPICS: Career Pathways, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access, Policy and Planning, Procurement, Workforce Shortage
This Workforce Development Playbook – a menu of malleable strategies and tactics that can be applied in different situational contexts – is meant to serve two purposes:
- To document best practices in workforce development focusing on California but with applicability nationally and sources.
- To set the first “Gold Standard” guiding owners who want to incorporate workforce development goals into their infrastructure projects.
To develop the Playbook, WSP and Accelerator for America (AFA) supported by The James Irvine Foundation, gathered information on current standards, practices, and barriers to workforce development efforts through interviews with key stakeholders across the industry in California, including project owners, community benefit organizations (CBOs), and government leaders.
Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center (TAC)
The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides comprehensive technical assistance to help the transit industry meet PTASP regulation requirement.
Federal Transit Administration
August 2024
TOPICS: Policy and Planning, Safety and Health
The Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP) Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides comprehensive technical assistance to help the transit industry meet PTASP regulation requirements, as outlined in 49 CFR part 673.
The TAC:
- Provides one-on-one technical assistance
- Facilitates training and peer-sharing via live webinars and roundtables
- Conducts voluntary technical reviews of draft Agency Safety Plans
- Maintains a resource library with technical assistance tools.