News
Center Staff and Partners to Present at Upcoming APTA Rail Conference
Posted June 2014
The 2014 Rail Conference is scheduled for June 15-18, 2014 in Montreal, Canada. Workshops and technical sessions cover timely issues of widespread interest in operations, technology, safety, security, planning, finance, capital projects, and the technical aspects of providing all modes of rail service: urban, commuter, high-speed, and intercity.
Center staff will be presenting two sessions at the APTA rail conference:
Career Progression: Choices, Decisions, Outcomes
Brian Turner and Jack Clark presentation, 10:30-12pm Monday June 16
Overall, this APTA session focuses on three areas:
• Mentors/Mentees—effective strategies
• Community Outreach & Partnerships—high schools, higher-ed & technical institutions, and organized labor
• Career Pathways & Options—career ladders, common standards, growth, and success
Brian and Jack’s presentation will examine the need for qualified new entrants into the transit industry. focusing on connecting career pathways with career ladders and related development programs. They will then discuss several success stories, including: Utah Transit Authority (UTA,) ATU Local 382 and their career outreach initiatives; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA,) TWU Local 234 and Keystone Development Partnership’s collaboration with inner-city school CTE programs, including after school and summer programs; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and government, labor and community partners’ development of a high school transit academy connected to a community college; and work done with West Virginia’s state CTE leadership and the Rahall Institute on curriculum and linkages to a community college transportation-related degree.
Xinge Wang presentation - 10:30-12pm Tuesday June 17
Synopsis: As transit vehicle technology advances at quickened pace, qualified maintenance employees have become more difficult to recruit and retain. In this environment the development of an in-house training capacity for transit vehicle maintenance has become an organizational necessity. Alongside quality training materials, standards and systems, the preparation and certification of technical instructors in transit is crucial to enhancing the quality of training provided to rail vehicle mechanics. TCRP Project F-19: A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors establishes the minimum competency levels and necessary skills required for individuals to qualify as transit vehicle maintenance instructors and prepare a plan for implementation of a national training and certification program. As important stakeholders of this national program, participants at the APTA Rail Conference, especially vehicle maintenance and training personnel will be presented the preliminary findings of the project, including proposed instructor competencies, training program plan and qualification assessment methods. They will also be engaged in an interactive discussion of the future implementation of the plan.
In addition, Center partner John Buckner of SEPTA will be presenting:
Quality Training for Frontline Transit Rail Technicians: A New System of Training & Qualification
John Buckner, manager training, railroad transportation & VEM, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, Philadelphia, PA
10:30-12pm Tuesday June 17
Synopsis: John will address the rail vehicle technician qualification program and National Apprenticeship Program and the collaborations and successes for these programs with organized labor and transit agencies.
To register for the conference, visit APTA’s Website
