News

Unveiling Insights Into Transit Workforce Data

Posted March 2024

Last week, ITLC’s Transit Workforce Center (TWC) hosted a webinar, "Transit Workforce Data Dashboard: Harnessing the Power of Data for Transit Workforce Development," with over 200 participants in attendance. The webinar focused on TWC’s recently updated Transit Workforce Data Dashboard and spotlighted the launch of the Agency Explorer tab.   

 

ITLC’s Deputy Director Xinge Wang and the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Senior Transportation Program Specialist for Workforce Development and Student Programs Betty Jackson opened the webinar, providing a summary of what TWC does for the transit workforce and noting the significance and innovation the Dashboard represents, which FTA has supported throughout its development. 

Following the opening, ITLC's Research Associate Shayna Gleason provided an overview of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and National Transit Database (NTD) data sources used to build the dashboard. Researcher Doug Nevins then demonstrated a range of Dashboard features, highlighting demographic trends and future staffing projections in transportation occupations. Research Associate Michaela Boneva walked attendees through the newest feature, the Agency Explorer, which facilitates seamless access to agency-level NTD employment data and robust filtering and search options. 

In an engaging Q&A session, TWC’s research team took turns answering questions participants raised. Attendees were curious about possible additional data sources and analysis, like retention and turnover rates, cost of living adjustments, and overtime. Participants described the dashboard as “terrific,” “user-friendly,” and “functional.” 

View the webinar recording and associated resources shared during the presentation.