About the Consortium
Established in 2015, the Consortium brings together public transportation agencies, labor unions, and instructional designers to produce high-quality, hands-on instructional materials that align with real-world workforce needs.
Led by over 40 subject matter experts (SMEs) from 19 transit agencies and unions, the Consortium develops comprehensive, ready-to-use training materials designed to support apprenticeship programs, onboard new hires, and upskill current technicians. Participation in the Consortium allows agencies to share resources, reduce duplicative effort, and improve training outcomes across the industry.
The Consortium’s curriculum covers eleven core rail vehicle subsystems, including HVAC, Propulsion, Doors, Brakes, and Automatic Train Control. Each course includes instructor guides, participant guides, PowerPoint presentations, quizzes, videos, and hands-on learning activities. Many courses also feature eLearning modules to support blended learning and flexible delivery.
In recent years, the Consortium has expanded to include special topics such as Networking and Communications, Rerailing Procedures, and Wheel Truing. Foundational courses such as Overview of Rail Vehicle Subsystems, Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Principles further support the development of a skilled and sustainable rail vehicle maintenance workforce.
