Resource Center

Session materials from Making Connections 2022 are hosted on the TWC Resource Center. Please click here to view all related materials. A PDF copy of the conference schedule is linked below.

Opening Video: 

Recap Video: 

Making Connections Conference Schedule

Session Summary: This session featured cutting-edge partnership strategies that advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access while strengthening recruitment and retention. Representatives from transit labor and management, education, and national and local transit supporters and stakeholders provided a range of perspectives, while discussing innovative programs and initiatives along with their positive outcomes.

Moderator

• Jess Guerra: Executive Director, Transportation Workforce Institute – Los Angeles Trade Technical College

Speakers

• Mona Babauta: Deputy General Manager – Golden Gate Transit
• Rich Diaz: Golden Gate Transit Mentor Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1575
• Meghna Khanna: Senior Director, Systemwide Team, Mobility Corridors – Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
• Judy Shanley: Director – National Center for Mobility Management; Assistant Vice-President, Education & Youth Transition Programs, Easter Seals Director – National Center for Mobility Management
• Tracy Spikes: Workforce Development Program Manager – Central Ohio Transit Authority
• John Tkach: Executive Director – Keystone Development Partnership
• Jarvis Williams: President – Transport Workers Union Local 208

Out of the Box Strategies Session Slides

Session Summary: Apprenticeship programs create a foundation for strong, effective workforce development programs. The ability to build and sustain these programs requires strong labor-management partnerships, or, in the case of nonunion agencies, ongoing involvement of, and management engagement with, the frontline workforce. In this session, panelists from a diverse group of transit agencies presented examples of challenges met and lessons learned as they designed and implemented their apprenticeship programs. Attendees heard how apprenticeship can support a variety of frontline transit occupations and the benefits that apprenticeship offers.

Moderator

• Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union

Speakers

• Dexter Bishop: Elevator/Escalator Journeyman – Amalgamated Transit Union/Local 689
• Stephanie Deiger: Chief Human Resources Officer – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
• Brian Funk: Chief Operating Officer and Deputy General Manager – MetroTransit Minneapolis
• Michael Hanssen: Supervisor of Technical Skills Training – Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Alec Johnson: Bus Operator Apprenticeship Coordinator – MetroTransit Minneapolis/Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005

Growing Your Own Through Apprenticeship Session Slides

Session Summary: This workshop covered the basic building blocks of program design. Participants evaluated the pieces needed to develop a robust program that enables trainers to link good program design to effective classroom and on-the-job learning. This workshop was relevant to those looking to build new programs or refine current programs.

Moderator

• Grant Young: Instructional Systems Design Consultant – International Transportation Learning Center/Transit Workforce Center

Speakers

• Mike Glaeser: Manager, Bus Maintenance Training – Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
• Colleen May: Senior Director of Training – Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
• Danielle Wallace: Apprenticeship and Pathways Manager – King County Metro Transit

Designing an Impactful Training Program Session Slides

Session Summary: Across the country, strong labor-management partnerships underlie many of the most effective public transportation recruitment, retention, career development, and advancement programs. In this session, experienced subject-matter experts from transit and from government discussed the importance and impact of these partnerships, provided program examples and outcomes, and highlighted key components in establishing and maintaining these relationships.

Moderators

• Brian Turner: Founding Director – International Transportation Learning Center

Speakers

• Shirley Block: President/Business Representative – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757
• Jamaine “G” Gibson: Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development – Amalgamated Transit Union
• Andrew Hasty: Senior Advisor – U.S Department of Labor’s Office of Labor Management Standards; Commissioner – Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
• Nate Holton: Director of Labor Relations – TriMet
• Denise Jenkins-Agurs: Chief People Officer – IndyGo
• Charles Jenkins: Director – New York City Transit Training & Upgrading Fund/Transport Workers Union Local 100
• Darnice Marsh: Labor Management Partnership Coordinator – U.S. Department of Labor

Moving Forward Together Session Slides

Session Summary:  This session explored how transit agencies can use structured mentoring programs and mentor training as an effective approach to deal with the challenges of recruiting, supporting, training, and retaining drivers and technicians. Current and former mentors and mentor program coordinators from labor and management discussed the fundamentals of mentoring, the mentoring process and its impact on employees and agencies, along with the varied ways mentoring can and should be an integral part of any training or apprenticeship program.

Moderator

• Stu Bass: Principal – Progress Worx; Founding Director – Keystone Development Partnership

Speakers

• Raul “Kiko” Diaz: Senior Assistant Business Manager – San Diego Metropolitan Transit System/IBEW Local 465
• Rich Hibbs: Co-Director – California Transit Works
• Dionna McCane: Mentorship and Apprenticeship Coordinator – IndyGo
• Ibrahim Ouattara: Workforce Development Manager – IndyGo
• Troy Thornton: Mentor/Bus Operator – Golden Gate Transit/Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1575

Mentoring Session Slides