The National Academies Press

Currently Skimming:

Pages 20-41

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.

From page 20... ... 20 This chapter reviews best practices used in the public and private sectors to prepare and certify technical instructors, as well as the attributes and instructional delivery methods found most effective for maintenance instructors. This chapter concludes with lessons that can be most usefully adapted from those practices. Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 21 maintenance instructors, and even fewer (about 6 percent) have a certification or qualification program for these instructors. Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... 22 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors to present their work in the form of instruction to a review committee consisting of experienced instructors. The committee assesses the written material and how well the candidate presents it, paying particular attention to how well he/she was able to engage the audience in the learning process. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 23 more training responsibility while being coached by the mentor. This process typically takes about 3 months until the new instructor can deliver training classes without supervision. Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... 24 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors based on proven adult learning principles and give attendees multiple opportunities to practice those skills during individual and group exercises. Feedback is provided by the instructor as well as peers attending the workshop. Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 25 Other Transit Programs Significant programs and materials of value related to instructor training and certification were also identified from transit organizations such as APTA, NTI, the Transportation Learning Center, and others. APTA APTA's Subcommittee on Instructor Development, composed of representatives from both labor and management with assistance provided by the Transportation Learning Center, has produced two documents of interest to this project. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... 26 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors The RP also addresses federal and state regulations, agency policies, labor contracts, and safety and security. Materials contained in both APTA documents are extremely useful for establishing a broader system of instructor training and certification for transit. Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 27 college courses that provide soft skills training needed to become effective instructors. In all cases, SCRTTC notes that the community college is teaching "our course," that is a course developed and approved by the consortium. Read the entire page →
From page 28... ... 28 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors Elements of Effective Training. The Center's paper, Establishing Guidelines for Quality Training: Elements of Effective Training Programs, examines all aspects of a training program with several sections of particular value to this project including: • Creating a national system of transit industry apprenticeship programs; • Transitioning toward a system that can provide college credits for transit technical skills training tied to industry training standards; and • Responsible implementation of technician testing and certification. Read the entire page →
From page 29... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 29 The research, summarized in Figure 3.1, revealed that good communication skills, good work habits or ethics, good technical knowledge, and a desire or passion to be a trainer ranked highest among desired attributes. When asked to list prerequisites for their trainers, the vast majority of survey responders cite technical experience. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... 30 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors training settings that they will later carry out on the shop floor. This approach is also used by CTA and several other agencies. Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 31 National standards would need to be developed for instructor training and qualification in the same fashion they were done for technicians to ensure the training is appropriate, consistent, and adequately prepares instructors for qualification. Standards also make certain that the qualification process is fair and equitable. Read the entire page →
From page 32... ... 32 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors on having qualified technicians and instructors. With the need for training clearly established in the auto industry, automakers are keenly focused on how best to effectively provide that training. Read the entire page →
From page 33... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 33 Once they pass the screening process and are hired, newly hired instructors typically sit in on training courses given by senior instructors, a process similar to that used by CTA, King County Metro, and SEPTA. In time the OEMs typically refer to the instructors as being "certified." Obviously, each OEM has its own exact methods for preparing their instructors. Read the entire page →
From page 34... ... 34 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors certify entire training programs, can be applied to a transit instructor training and qualification program using the training standards developed by APTA and the Center as a guide. Automotive Training Managers Council. Read the entire page →
From page 35... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 35 Craft Trades The International Masonry Institute The International Masonry Institute (IMI) provides training services for the masonry trade. Read the entire page →
From page 36... ... 36 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors Upon graduation, instructors then become certified to teach apprentices and journey-workers at their home local. Instructor development courses are also held at a number of locations throughout the year to meet UA local needs. Read the entire page →
From page 37... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 37 All courses are designed with these components built-in. All instruction is tailored to the specific technical area being taught. Read the entire page →
From page 38... ... 38 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors with the ability to deliver interactive and hands-on instruction is a noteworthy characteristic of any instructor development program and one that needs to be incorporated into the transit program. The ISO 17024 standard for accreditation certification is worth exploring further; so is the requirement for periodic monitoring of credentialed instructors to ensure what they learned is being followed. Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 39 This model of skilled mechanics with instructor potential being carefully trained, mentored and monitored relies on standards and resources that may not be available to smaller transit agencies, as they are not for the smaller commuter airlines. Even with a core qualification process, however, smaller transit agencies are not likely to be able to develop or need full-time skilled trainers. Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... 40 A National Training and Certification Program for Transit Vehicle Maintenance Instructors • Use of videotaping or webinars to observe instructor delivery and provide constructive feedback; and • General skills courses offered by community colleges, NTI, EDSI, SCRTTC, and other training institutions. Annual workshops established by NTI, the Transportation Learning Center, APTA, and others are potential venues for convening transit instructors, providing them with training and opportunities to network and learn from their peers. Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... Best Practices from Transit and Related Industries 41 certain trades, and other industries. Legal and other implications associated with any certification process will need to be examined as part of the program plan. Read the entire page →

From page 20...

... 20 This chapter reviews best practices used in the public and private sectors to prepare and certify technical instructors, as well as the attributes and instructional delivery methods found most effective for maintenance instructors. This chapter concludes with lessons that can be most usefully adapted from those practices.