News

Center Delivers Second Transit Coach Operator Mentor Training at GCRTA

Posted December 2017

Hayward Garage: From Left to Right (Bottom row): Kimberly Smith, Rose McDonald, Debra Wright (Center row): Johnetta Crosby-Edmond, Trceilla Besses-Lewis (Top row): Charles Stewart, Stan Mosley, Darnell Morris, Leonard Brown, James Jones, James Lewis Jr, Michael Brazell

Between December 5th and December 7th, the Center delivered three transit coach operator mentor training sessions to GCRTA, developed under the American Apprenticeship Initiative (AAI) project. Tia Brown, Program Manager, trained 30 transit coach operators/mentors, rail operators/mentors, and assistant managers on the characteristics of a successful mentor and adult learning styles. Two of the mentor training sessions were held at the Triskett Garage, while the third was held at the Hayden Garage. Transportation Managers were encouraged to attend to learn more about the mentors role in the program. Participants felt particularly engaged in the interactive scenarios provided by the curriculum. They were enthusiastic about the mentoring program and look forward to the pilot reaching their locations.

The Operator Mentor training was developed as an additional component to the Transit Coach Operator Apprenticeship program that the Center is currently working on through AAI. GCRTA is currently scheduled to run its first pilot of the Coach Operator program at the Triskett Garage, with agency-wide pilot implementation to start shortly after. The goal is to provide support for transit coach operators so that they can be successful in their careers as operators and reduce turnover rates for the agency. The Center is continuing to work with agencies committed to developing a coach operator apprenticeship.

For more information on the Transit Coach Operator Apprenticeship program or the American Apprenticeship Initiative program, please contact Tia Brown at tbrown@transportcenter.org .