ITLC Celebrates 25 Years: We Want to Hear From You
Since 2001, ITLC has been dedicated to advancing frontline workforce development across various industries, working in sectors critical to the nation's economic growth, including transportation, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
As we mark our 25th anniversary, we'd like to highlight ITLC's contributions. We invite you to share your experiences with us. How has ITLC supported your organization or agency's needs? What would you like to see from us moving forward?
Share your feedback with Communications Manager Annmarie Carmody at acarmody@transportcenter.org.
| | Rail Car Consortium Meets in San Diego | |
ITLC's Rail Car Consortium celebrated 10 years of collaboration and workforce development during its annual in-person meeting held April 27 – May 1 in San Diego. Hosted by San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), the group spent four days working together to continue developing training materials that can be adapted and used at their home agencies across the country.
This year’s meeting focused on scoping new training topics on motors and inverters, while also reviewing recently developed courses on hydraulics and pneumatics and basic electrical concepts.
A total of 25 subject matter experts (SMEs) representing 11 transit agencies attended the meeting. The Consortium’s annual in-person gathering provides a valuable opportunity for agency labor and management SMEs to collaborate on course development, share challenges and successes from their agencies, and strengthen professional networks across the industry. Participants also toured MTS’s rail maintenance facility, which was a highlight of the week.
Special thanks to MTS and hosts Andy Goddard, Isaac Preciado, and Wes Markley for their partnership and support in making the Rail Car Consortium’s 10-year anniversary meeting both productive and successful.
For more information about the Rail Car Consortium, please contact Kristen Ribaudo at kribaudo@transportcenter.org.
| | Rail Car Consortium members at San Diego Metropolitan Transit System | |
ITLC Delivers Level 1 Training in Houston
Last month, Training Specialist Frank Burnett and Program Coordinator Brandon Liu delivered a weeklong Train-the-Trainer Level 1 course at the Houston Metro Training Bus Facility. The class consisted of 10 bus operator trainers with varying levels of experience in the internal Houston Metro training program, SOAR. Most trainers had at least a year of field training, with training topics ranging from CDL certification to operator refresher/re-certification. Most also had developed extensive hands-on facilitation skills before entering the SOAR program, including new-hire orientation and CDL requirements training.
Participants focused on gaining new techniques and ideas for implementing training materials and content, specifically for bus operator training and ADA compliance refresher training. They worked on effective facilitation strategies and best practices, all while applying these skills in immediate practice training sessions.
| Train-the-Trainer Level 1 course participants and facilitators at Houston Metro | |
Course instructors received positive feedback and appreciation for the knowledge, strategies, and takeaways provided by the course, including: “Training was great and opened up a lot of different strategies/skills/techniques to help develop my teaching skills.” Some indicated interest in incorporating these skills into their current training programs and classes.
Train-the-Trainer Level 1 is designed to build foundational knowledge of adult learning theory and principles; increase effectiveness as an instructor through methods, tools, and guidelines for delivering training; examine classroom and hands-on training strategies; and include multiple sessions of practice training deliveries to the class throughout the week. For more information regarding ITLC’s Train-the-Trainer courses, visit the updated Train-the-Trainer page on TWC's website, or contact Kristen Ribaudo at kribaudo@transportcenter.org.
| Next Level Learning at King County Metro: ITLC’s Train-the-Trainer Level 2 | |
From March 30 to April 3, Program Manager of Technical Assistance and Training, Amri Joyner, and Facilitator Arnett Powell delivered the redesigned Train-the-Trainer Level 2 program to participants from King County Metro in Tukwila, WA. The week-long program brought together members of King County Metro’s learning and development team, instructional designers, and technical training instructors for an intensive, hands-on learning experience focused on instructional design and training development.
The updated Level 2 program is built around the ADDIE framework — Analyze, Design, Develop, Implement, and Evaluate — and emphasizes practical application in real transit training environments. Throughout the week, participants analyzed performance needs, designed learning objectives aligned to job tasks, developed instructional materials, explored effective delivery strategies, and practiced evaluating learner performance and training effectiveness.
| Train-the-Trainer Level 2 course participants and facilitators at King County Metro | |
A highlight of the week was the Final Practice activity, where participants delivered short training sessions using materials and strategies developed throughout the course. The collaborative atmosphere, thoughtful discussions, and willingness to share ideas and experiences contributed to a strong learning environment for everyone involved.
ITLC appreciates the engagement and partnership of the King County Metro team and looks forward to continuing to support transit trainers and instructional professionals across the industry. At the end of the course, participants shared positive feedback, including feeling “more confident and comfortable with creating lesson plans, job aids, and post-class evaluations.”
For more information about ITLC’s Train-the-Trainer courses, visit the updated Train-the-Trainer page on the Transit Workforce Center’s website or contact Kristen Ribaudo at kribaudo@transportcenter.org.
| | Transit Workforce Center Activities | | TWC Highlights Transit Mentorship Programs at the TTA Conference | | Senior Researcher Shayna Gleason and Communications Associate Sudan Smith attended the Texas Transit Association conference in Lubbock, TX, last month. Shayna delivered a presentation titled “Attracting and Retaining Talented Workers Throughout the Employee Life Cycle.” The session highlighted recruitment, hiring practices, and work schedules. She was joined by co-presenters from Star Transit (Terrell, TX), CapMetro (Austin), and the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), who engaged in an interactive discussion and Q&A session highlighting their experiences with the value of mentorship programs across transit agencies of different sizes and contexts. Shayna and Sudan also exhibited at the conference expo, where they engaged with various attendees, offering technical assistance and resources and materials available through the Transit Workforce Center. | | Tommy Hendricks (Star Transit), Shayna Gleason, Dionna McCane (ATU), and Andy Skabowski (CapMetro) | |
Presenting Transit Workforce Strategies at the PPTA Conference
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| |  | On April 22, Senior Workforce Development Advisor Maurice Beard and Senior Policy Analyst Karitsa Holdzkom facilitated an engaging session at the Pennsylvania Public Transit Association (PPTA) Conference and Expo, titled "Behind the Wheel & Back Tomorrow: Best Practices for Driver Recruitment & Retention." Addressing the challenges transit agencies continue to face with driver recruitment, retention, and absenteeism, this session highlighted practical, data-informed strategies to strengthen workforce stability, including the impact of structured mentorship programs on retention, performance, and safety. Rabbit Transit’s (York and Adams County, PA) Human Resources Manager Felicia Trujillo described current work creating PPTA’s recruitment toolkit, which will be released in the coming months as a resource for transit agencies in Pennsylvania. Maurice and Karitsa shared TWC’s ongoing efforts, research findings, and emerging resources to support agencies in recruiting and retaining a strong operator.
In addition, Program Manager for Instructional Design Kristen Ribaudo presented on TWC's Transit Core Competencies Curriculum (TC3), a modular training program designed to build foundational technical skills and career pathways for frontline transit workers.
| Building a Stronger Transit Workforce at the AZTA Conference | |
In early April, Senior Workforce Development Advisor Maurice Beard, Research Associate Michaela Boneva, and Director of Workforce Learning and Development Julie Deibel-Pundt traveled to Mesa, AZ, for the 2026 Arizona Transit Association Conference. In addition to a plenary session describing TWC’s services, TWC hosted two sessions, one on “Using Transit Mentorship to Strengthen Recruitment, Retention, and Organizational Culture” and another covering “Workforce Development that Works: Strategies and Initiatives that Support Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.” Both focused on various transit workforce development initiatives and strategies to help agencies advance their workforce and combat recruitment and retention challenges. Maurice, Michaela, and Julie also hosted an exhibit table, where they connected with attendees, provided technical assistance, and shared available resources.
| Iyai Webinar on Transit and Infrastructure Careers | |
As part of ITLC and TWC’s long-running collaboration with Introducing Youth to American Infrastructure (Iyai+), Executive Director Jack Clark led a 2026 Transit Careers webinar for Iyai partner organizations and their youth participants in Iyai+’s annual Innovation Challenge from: Africatown (Mobile, AL); BART (San Francisco; Greensboro Transit Agency (Greensboro, NC); Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RI); Toronto Transit Commission (Toronto) and Centennial College; and Youth Action Project (San Bernardino, CA).
Introduced by Iyai+ Founder and CEO Dr. Beverly Scott, who is also an ITLC Senior Board Fellow, Jack spoke about the significant career opportunities available in the transit industry, the broader context of interrelated infrastructure careers, and the impact of rapidly changing technologies and artificial intelligence (AI).
Jack also moderated a conversation with two leaders of the Metro Transit (Minneapolis-St.Paul)/ATU Local 1005 Bus Operator Apprenticeship Program, Mentorship Coordinator Lee Estis, and Workshop Coordinator Vanessa L’Esperance. Lee and Vanessa discussed their current roles running mentoring and apprenticeship programs for new bus operators at Metro Transit, which has the only two-year operator apprenticeship in the country. They discussed the program's impact, providing support and training that make it more likely that new operators will remain at the agency and build their careers at Metro. They also shared their own careers, starting out in transportation as drivers, getting involved in the local union, and then actively participating in the launch of the mentoring and apprenticeship programs, which led to their current positions. The session concluded with an audience Q&A.
| | ATTAIN: Bus Operator Mentorship and Apprenticeship | |
Join TWC's American Transit Training and Apprenticeship Innovators Network (ATTAIN) Bus Operator Mentorship and Apprenticeship webinar on May 27 at 12 pm ET. ATTAIN is a peer network for transit workforce partners to explore new apprenticeship programs or enhance existing programs for their frontline workforce.
This webinar features a presentation outlining the process for starting a bus operator mentorship and apprenticeship program, the resources available to employers and their partners, and the benefits of mentorship. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear engaging discussions with panelists from Star Transit (TX), WeGo/ATU Local 1235 (TN), and NJ TRANSIT/ATU Local 819, followed by an interactive audience Q&A. The open discussion will encourage attendees to ask questions, discuss their progress toward starting a mentorship program, troubleshoot any challenges they’ve experienced, and share best practices with their peers.
For more information, visit TWC’s Apprenticeship FAQ page or contact Karitsa Holdzkom at kholdzkom@transportcenter.org.
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Launching TC3:
Foundational Skills for Today’s Transit Workforce
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Interested in strengthening your transit workforce? Take an inside look at TWC's new program, Transit Core Competencies Curriculum (TC3), during an informative webinar on June 2 at 1 pm ET. TC3 is a set of freely available course materials developed by transit organization subject matter experts from across the country.
This webinar will provide an overview of the full TC3 program, including its structure and key topic areas such as electrical, mechanical, computers, math, and industry awareness. It will also explore how agencies can use the materials for onboarding, upskilling, and career pathway development.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your curriculum, support new hires, or create more consistent skill development across your workforce, this webinar will provide practical insights into how TC3 can support your agency.
Questions? Contact Kristen Ribaudo at kribaudo@transportcenter.org.
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Teamsters117 – May 5, 2026
SMARTCITIESDIVE – Apr. 30, 2026
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Bus-News – Apr. 21, 2026
American Public Transportation Association – Apr. 20, 2026
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