News

Kick-Off Session Leads Charge on ATU Implementation of Large-Scale Mentor Training

Posted June 2023

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689 and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) kicked off the first training session for a large-scale mentorship program on June 14 at ATU 689’s office in Forestville, Maryland, with plans to place 300 new transit operator mentors. At this first session, seven enthusiastic motor coach operators were led through the interactive mentor training toward their future as mentors by the facilitator and ATU Director of Apprenticeships and Workforce Development Jamaine “G” Gibson, with support from ITLC team member Maurice Beard. 

   

ATU Local 689 led this effort with many contributors. Second Vice President/Safety Officer Theus Jones played a pivotal role, utilizing her connections with mentors-to-be and sharing her own experience as a motor coach operator, while Jerard Simms ensured all audio visual worked smoothly. President Raymond Jackson and Recording Secretary and Organizing Director Barry Wilson joined virtually to voice their support, as did WMATA’s Director of Bus Transportation Training Elmer Coppage Jr.    

 

ITLC instructional designers Dr. Chuck Hodell, Julie Deibel-Pundt, and Kristen Ribaudo are supporting this Transit Workforce Center (TWC) initiative, pulling together the best mentor training materials and practices from across the country to create a scalable, standardized program that can be used by ATU locals across the country.



For more information about this exciting program, email twc@transportcenter.org.