News
TWC Webinar Recordings – ZEB Resources and Apprenticeship Programs
Posted July 2024
Powering Up the Workforce
“Powering Up the Workforce: Transit Workforce Center's Zero-Emission Bus Resources” engaged individuals working on or interested in the range of workforce issues related to the transition to zero-emission fleet vehicles.
FTA’s Associate Administrator for Research, Demonstration and Innovation Dr. Mary Leary opened the webinar by offering key insights and highlights of FTA’s and TWC’s work, individually and with key partners, describing the development of resources to help promote growth and advancement for the public transit frontline workforce. Mary stated that “the Transit Workforce Center is an absolutely critical resource for zero-emission bus deployment, workforce related technical assistance, and many other activities.” Program Director John Schiavone presented on “Critical Elements in Zero-Emission Fleet Transition Planning (ZEB Workforce Development Transit Plan – Eight Steps for Development).” American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Senior Director – Bus Operations and New Vehicle Technologies Lisa Jerram spoke about the development of the national Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) Maintenance Training Standards.
The final presentation, a collaborative effort by Instructional Designer Brandon Liu, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority’s (PSTA) Director of Maintenance Henry Lukasik, and National Transit Institute’s (NTI) Executive Director Billy Terry, covered the TWC-developed and NTI-delivered Battery Electric Bus (BEB) Familiarization Course. The webinar concluded with a lively Q&A session, featuring all panelists and moderated by Executive Director Jack Clark. The webinar recording, slides, and featured resources are available in TWC’s Resource Center.
Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship
TWC held a virtual American Transit Trainers and Apprenticeship Innovators Network (ATTAIN) meeting focusing on bus maintenance apprenticeship. Senior Workforce Development Advisor Maurice Beard opened with a presentation outlining the process and necessary steps for developing an apprenticeship program and submitting it for approval. The presentation provided instructions for identifying and contacting the appropriate state office of apprenticeship and illustrated how various program components could be altered according to the needs of the agency and its workforce partners. Senior Policy Analyst Karitsa Holdzkom facilitated a panel discussion with representatives from Fairfax County Connector and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689; and Metro Transit and ATU Local 1005. Panelists Andrew Boardman, Tim Boden, Barry Goldman, Wajma Haidary, and Theus Jones reinforced the steps conveyed during the opening presentation and shared how the apprenticeship program is structured, the benefits it offers, and the importance of labor-management partnership. Because ATTAIN builds on the collective knowledge and experience of the public transit industry, TWC reserved a large portion of the meeting for participants to engage in group discussions. Attendees were able to join in to ask questions and offer insight during the Q&A that concluded the meeting. The recording and presentation slides can be found in TWC’s Resource Center.
