Announcements

Transit Workforce Center to Expand Collaboration and Support to Address Labor Shortage

Published on: October 1, 2023

In the two years since FTA established the Transit Workforce Center (TWC) as a national technical assistance center for workforce development, it has made significant strides in working with transit agencies to recruit, hire, train, and retain a diverse workforce. To support transit agencies and help them engage and retain employees, the TWC provides case studies and examples of ways transit agencies and industry stakeholders address worker safety and health, skills development and developing accurate workforce metrics. It has provided a range of resources, including:

• An extensive Resource Center with a range of reports, webinars, best practices, and case studies;
• A National Frontline Transit Worker Recruitment Toolkit;
• Zero Emission bus resources;
• Apprenticeship and mentoring initiatives;
• A Transit Data Dashboard;
• An e-newsletter, The Pulse, and the TWC blog, featuring career stories and other successes.

To date, TWC resources and trainings have reached over 7,000 industry professionals and 400 transit agencies.

The TWC was recently highlighted in a video message by FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, who applauded the TWC’s accomplishments at its second anniversary. In the months ahead, TWC activities will be guided by FTA’s National Transit Workforce Development Strategic Plan, which outlines the areas of workforce support and focus through 2028.

In its next phase, TWC plans to:

• Continue providing technical assistance to public transit agencies;
• Collaborate with the Departments of Labor and Education to expand career pathways for K-12;
• Strengthen and expand health and safety initiatives, training, funding, and support;
• Measure the impacts of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging initiatives; and
• Help transit workers adapt from traditional technologies to emerging technologies.

The plan reinforces the Biden-Harris Administration’s labor investment and recognizes the need to prioritize worker health and safety post-COVID-19.

To stay informed, sign up to receive the TWC’s e-newsletter and visit the TWC website.

Links:
FTA’s National Workforce Development Strategic plan
TWC website
TWC Anniversary Video
TWC Resource Center
National Frontline Transit Worker Recruitment Toolkit
Zero Emission bus resources
Apprenticeship and mentoring initiatives
Transit Data Dashboard
TWC blog
TWC E-Newsletter, Pulse