Resource 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.

Content in external resources linked from the Resource Center is solely the responsibility of the resource authors and does not necessarily reflect the perspectives of or endorsement by the Transit Workforce Center.

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Making Connections 2024 – Foundational Skills for Successful Career Pathways in a Changing Industry

This session about career pathways was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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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)

pdf MC24 Successful Career Pathways slides
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Making Connections 2024 – How Do Technicians Learn? Exploring Successful Approaches for Developing Skills

This session about training transit technicians was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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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.

pdf MC24 How Techs Learn slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Integrating AI into Training Design and Development

This session about applications of artificial intelligence in training and development efforts was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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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

pdf MC24 Integrating AI in Training slides
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Making Connections 2024 – The College Connection: Strategies for Effective Partnerships

This session about partnerships between transit and local colleges was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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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!

pdf MC24 College Connection slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Apprenticeship 101 – How Transit Apprenticeship Operates

This session about transit apprenticeships was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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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)

pdf MC24 Apprenticeship 101 slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Successful Models for Career Awareness, Outreach, and Recruitment in Our Varied Communities

This session about national and agency-level workforce datasets was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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Session Description: Consistent with FTA’s strategic goal of driving workforce recruitment, this session explored successful models and strategies for increasing awareness of transit careers among potential workers. Presenters also focused on approaches to recruiting and retaining individuals from varied backgrounds, emphasizing engagement with the communities transit serves. Through discussions of hands-on initiatives, mentoring and training programs, and partnerships between transit agencies and community organizations, this session explored various ways transit systems can create sustainable pipelines to attract and retain talent from communities of different sizes and demographics.

Moderator: 

  • David Stephen: Senior Communications Specialist – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

  • Scott Joiner: Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)
  • Adam Parast: Enterprise and Strategic Initiatives Lead – King County Metro (WA)
  • Antonio Pollard: Organizer – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 (DC)
  • Dan Stoffer: Manager, Bus Instruction – Metro Transit (MN)
  • Jaymi Swarbrick: Director of Human Resources – Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa – MA)
  • Trenise Winters: Assistant Executive Director – Bi-State Development/Metro Transit (St. Louis)

pdf MC24 Successful Models for Career Awareness slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Plan, Train, Succeed: Building Your Low-No Workforce Transition Strategy

This session about transitioning the transit workforce to low-no vehicles was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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Session Description: As the transit industry accelerates toward new fuel technologies, a comprehensive workforce strategy is essential for a successful transition. This session focused on creating effective plans for workforce development, implementing targeted training programs with an emphasis on safety, and ensuring long-term success in transitioning to new fuels. Attendees learned about applied research, innovative training solutions, and technical assistance designed to help transit agencies develop a skilled workforce equipped to support new technologies.

Moderator:

  • Jason Macumber: Senior Advisor of Workforce Development and Technology – International Transportation Learning Center / Transit Workforce Center

Speakers:

  • Eliseo Acosta Jr: Workforce Development Coordinator – Amalgamated Transit Union
  • Mark Finnicum: Chief Operation Officer – Stark Area Regional Transit Authority
  • Molly King: Deputy Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration, and Innovation – Federal Transit Administration
  • Jennifer Sweten: Director of Operations – Missoula Urban Transportation District
  • Billy Terry: Director – National Transit Institute (NTI)

pdf MC24 ZEV Transition Strategy Workshop slides
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Making Connections 2024 – Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies

This session about innovative and engaging training methods was presented as part of TWC’s Making Connections 2024 transit workforce conference in November, 2024.

Transit Workforce Center

November 2024

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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

pdf MC24 Engaging and Interactive Training Strategies slides
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