The Transportation Learning Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public transportation at the national level and within communities. To accomplish this mission, the Center builds labor-management training partnerships that improve organizational performance, expand workforce knowledge, skills and abilities, and promote career advancement.
Transportation & Education Industry Leaders Speak at the Center’s Conference - Materials Available
Posted June 2013
On May 30, 2013 Senior officials from DOT, US DOL and the US Department of Education spoke at the Center’s conference to highlight their current initiatives to expand training, apprenticeship and education opportunities for the frontline blue collar workforce. Vince Valdes, Associate Administrator of FTA, reported on FTA’s new safety initiatives and how FTA is beginning to implement MAP-21’s new training provisions. DOL’s John Ladd, Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship, updated the group on DOL’s project to provide college credit for work-based learning in registered apprenticeship programs. Johan Uvin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Adult and Experiential Learning, shared the latest news on Career and Technical Education partnerships to expand the pipeline of qualified applicants for technical jobs in industries like transit.
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Center Highlights Frontline Worker Training at APTA Conference
Posted June 2013
Earlier this week, the Center moderated two different panels at the APTA Rail Conference in Philadelphia:
• Standards-Based Training Partnerships for Frontline Employees
• Quality Training Enhances Your State of Good Repair
The “Standards-Based Training Partnerships for Frontline Employees” panel was comprised of representatives from three active national, industry committees convened by the Center and composed of labor and management subject matter experts (rail vehicle, transit elevator-escalator and signals). The speaksers explained how their work ties into a larger framework of turning transit locations into high-performing organizations. In a time of many retirements and changing technologies, participants were excited to find a consortium training model which would provide quality training for new employees as well as career ladder training opportunities. All this will also save money by sharing the cost among many properties.
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Center Convenes Committees Addressing Training & Recruitment for the Public Transportation Industry
Posted May 2013
This week, the Center is convening three industry working groups in Silver Spring, MD to address the major challenges facing transit nationally:
• Signals Training Consortium
• Career Pathways/Career Ladders Committee
• Rail Vehicle Committee
These groups also came together to coordinate efforts and strategize on furthering the broader mission of strengthening public transportation occupations through systems for expanding the pipeline for qualified new recruits and quality training within the public transportation industry. During the open panel discussion each group is reporting out on their individual efforts.
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