News and Updates

USDOL, Office of Apprenticeship has Approved the Rail Vehicle Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship

Posted June 2013

The Office of Apprenticeship at the US Department of Labor has now officially approved the National Guidelines for Apprenticeship Standards for the Transit Rail Vehicle Maintenance Technician.  This new apprenticeship framework was developed by the National Rail Car Training Committee and submitted to US DOL by the Center.

Signals Training Consortium Courseware Development Teams Start Creating Courses

Posted June 2013

Last week, the SignalsTraining Consortium held virtual webinar meetings to kick off the content development for the following topic areas:
• Track Circuits
• Switches
• Train Stops
• Grade Crossings

Webinar technology enables Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from all over the country to come together with Center Instructional Designers to work on courseware development.  During these kickoff meetings, these smaller courseware development teams (CDTs) reviewed the development timeline, followed up on action items from the in person kick-off meeting in May, identified existing resources and started to develop content that covers the learning objectives listed in the industry recognized training standards. 

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.

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.

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.