Transforming Workforce Development for the Transportation Industry

The transportation workforce is in crisis: a 2022 survey revealed that 96 percent of transit agencies of all sizes are experiencing workforce challenges, and 84 percent said these shortages are impacting their ability to provide service. The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) recently released several publications that explore important related issues and reveal new methods and pathways being developed and implemented to build the workforce pipeline. These include: 1) The Indirect Benefits of a Transit Apprenticeship and its Potential Value as a Flexible Postsecondary Pathway, 2) L&D On-ramps and Off-ramps for the Mobility Workforce: A Blueprint for Knowledge Ecosystem Formation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and 3) Transforming Middle School Workforce Development for 21st-Century Education, which are summarized below. 

The Indirect Benefits of a Transit Apprenticeship and its Potential Value as a Flexible Postsecondary Pathway explores a success story of the transit sector embracing apprenticeships as a worthwhile training model. Specifically, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Joint Workforce Initiative (JWI) is a model of apprenticeships that emphasize both technical and soft skills, thus offering employees the chance to develop “cross-cutting competencies” and advance their careers. The report details the importance of affordability, portability, and articulation and outlines how these features could be further developed in the JWI and how this initiative could be used as a model for further workforce development.

The next report, L&D On-ramps and Off-ramps for the Mobility Workforce: A Blueprint for Knowledge Ecosystem Formation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, introduces and discusses the proof-of-concept pilot program proposed in a previous report, Trade and Transportation Talent Pipeline Blueprints: Building University-Industry Talent Pipelines in Colleges of Continuing and Professional Education. It presents a blueprint with implementation tools and strategies for California State University Long Beach (CSULB)  and other CSU campuses to adopt the presented knowledge ecosystem model in higher education. The study found near universal support for pursuing university-industry partnerships with 97% of CSULB faculty and staff and external stakeholders supporting the concept, demonstrating a viable new model for workforce development.

Finally, Transforming Middle School Workforce Development for 21st-Century Education summarizes the 2024 program of the Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition for middle school students, one of MTI’s signature workforce development initiatives. MTI has sponsored a competition every year since 2003 and over 1,300 students have participated. This year’s program was a success, fostering meaningful connections and practical learning. Plans for future programs with further resources, improvements, and components to increase competition are already underway for 2025.

The ongoing workforce crisis in transportation requires innovative solutions and strategic investments. These reports and perspectives highlight several promising initiatives, from apprenticeships to university-industry partnerships and early-stage education programs, that are creating pathways to build a more diverse and resilient workforce. These efforts offer valuable insights for addressing workforce shortages and equipping the next generation of professionals with the skills needed to meet the challenges of 21st century transportation.

ABOUT THE MINETA TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE

At the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) at San Jose State University (SJSU) our mission is to increase mobility for all by improving the safety, efficiency, accessibility, and convenience of our nations’ transportation system. Through research, education, workforce development and technology transfer, we help create a connected world. Founded in 1991, MTI is a university transportation center funded by the US Department of Transportation, the California Department of Transportation, and public and private grants, including those made available by the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (SB1). MTI is affiliated with SJSU’s Lucas College and Graduate School of Business.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The reports and perspectives mentioned above were authored by MTI Research Associates, partners, and staff, including: Dr. Kathleen McConnell, professor emeritus in the Department of Communication Studies at San José State University; Dr. Priya Raman, Associate Professor of Media and Communication in San José State University’s Department of Communication Studies; Dr. Tyler Reeb, Executive Director at the Center for International Trade and Transportation at California State University, Long Beach; Dr. Barbara Taylor, Interim AVP of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at California State University, Long Beach, and Associate Dean for Research in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; James Reuter, project manager at the Center for International Trade and Transportation at California State University, Long Beach; Alverina Weinardy, MTI Director of Operations; and Lisa Rose, MTI Editor.

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