Establishing Guidelines for Quality Training: Elements of Effective Training Programs

published: 2010
By David Neun
A system of training elements can provide a framework for the implementation of quality transit training programs. This paper describes a system of training elements based on several national models for training program review and accreditation. In the future, the use of training program guidelines may lead to an established process for industry training program accreditation for college credit and apprenticeship, as well as an established precondition for possible future testing and qualification.

Training for Transportation Technicians: Which Delivery Methods Work Best?

published: 2010
By John Schiavone
What is the most effective way to train transit technicians? This paper aims to answer that question – going beyond the most common method of instruction, classroom lecture where instructors talk and students just listen and desperately try to grasp all of the conceptual information delivered to them in rapid succession. At the other end of the spectrum is the “sink or swim” approach where students are thrown into the job to work alongside veterans to pick up their good… or bad methods. Somewhere in the middle is a better, blended approach, where classroom lecture is continually complemented by interactive hands-on demonstrations and followed by structured on the job training (OJT) and mentoring.