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.

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)