Metro Magazine, August 2018

instruction classroom labs etc apprentices receive nationally recognized certificates of completion The Centers role under the DOL program is to develop national apprenticeship standards that agencies would then use to become formally registered with the DOL or an approved state apprenticeship agency Achieving registered status is important because it recognizes the agencys apprenticeship training as meeting industry adopted standards and assures that bus technicians are adequately prepared for their many work responsibilities Additionally agencies that register their apprenticeship programs may be eligible for tax credits and other funding The process to develop a registered apprenticeship program requires some effort at a time when agency resources and staffing are already stretched thin But given the growing complexity of todays buses coupled with the growing shortage of skilled technicians transit has little choice but to grow their own Gone are the days where a once simple diesel engine powered a bus with a basic electrical backbone Todays transit bus is a complex mixture of mechanical and electrical electronic systems that require specialized skills to repair and maintain TECHNOLOGY ONSLAUGHT The onslaught of new technology comes at a time when senior technicians are retiring in droves and replacements are becoming increasingly scarce leaving agencies scrambling to supply road ready buses to meet peak service demands Transit has the highest percentage of aging workers in the U S among all industries 35 are over the age of 55 At Metro Transit in Minnesota more than half of its bus technicians are above the age of 50 mirroring a trend seen across the transit industry But not to worry there are plenty of skilled bus technicians ready and willing to take their place Not Subsequent generations have a diminishing regard for things mechanical choosing instead to work on computers and IT This bodes well for maintaining buses because so many of the systems are electronically controlled but making the match has not proven easy Bus work is still dirty and work schedules typically revolve around nights and weekends Furthermore car and truck shops that compete for the same limited pool of younger workers are far more successful at recognizing the labor shortage and taking steps to mitigate it There are several steps needed to achieve registered apprenticeship status but theyre not onerous First top labor and management representatives from the agency must commit to the program A joint apprenticeship committee JAC of SMEs is formed with equal representation to develop local standards joint agreement that determine how the apprentice program is structured i e apprentice and mentor selection process work hours wage progression etc and the training programs content i e work process schedule OJT and classroom coordination etc The final step is to formally register with DOL and launch the program Assistance is available from a number of sources Partnering with local community colleges helps share the training load and can offer college credits while representatives from the local DOL office of apprenticeship are available to guide agencies through the registration process and offer assistance after the program is underway The Transportation Learning Center is also available to help with DOL registration assist with developing the joint labor management agreement and work process schedule and provide onsite mentor training There are several benefits to forming a registered apprenticeship program for both sides Because their training program meets national industry standards agencies get assurances the candidates that pass through their program are properly trained to adequately maintain the fleet Increased skills resulting from the training also increases productivity and reduces service interruptions Apprentices receive a technical education with little or no debt have the potential to earn college credit and are given a long term career opportunity with increased wage potential The prospect of undertaking a registered apprenticeship program to thoroughly train technicians may appear daunting to some So too is the reality of trying to maintain a fleet of modern transit buses with an understaffed and undertrained workforce A structured program of learning where classroom instruction is followed by OJT mentor training is an effective and proven way to transfer skills After all the pool of experienced technicians is not likely to increase nor are transit buses likely to get less complex over time 46 mETRO mAGAZINE AUGUST 2018 metro magazine com SHOP APPRENTICESHIPS John Schiavone is Program Director at the Transportation Learning Center Metro Transit At Metro Transit in Minnesota more than half of its bus technicians are above the age of 50 mirroring a trend seen across the transit industry