Tacoma Local Helps Revive Pierce Transit Apprenticeship Program

As senior bus maintenance technicians continue to retire in great numbers, Pierce Transit in Tacoma, WA started experiencing a shortage of qualified technicians to take their place. At the time, their registered apprenticeship program was not active and therefore of little help to fill the gap. That’s when Local 758-Tacoma, WA and the Transportation Learning Center (TLC) stepped up to modernize and revive the program.

“With the industry’s technology constantly evolving, a lot has changed in bus maintenance,” said International President John Costa, who began his career in light rail maintenance at NJ Transit as a member of Local 819Newark, NY. “It’s essential for the workforce to adapt and meet the new challenges. That’s why the ATU is developing these state-of-the-art apprenticeship programs.”

Transit technology is more complex

Transit bus maintenance used to be much simpler. Now there are complex systems that require extensive hands-on training to master. For example, two-cycle bus engines have been replaced by turbo chargers. Compressed natural gas, hybrid systems and new technologies like electric battery-operated drivelines are here.

Transmissions now have computer-controlled solenoids, wiring systems are now run by complex algorithms and data networks now communicate across multiple new components. Even fareboxes, once just mechanical piggybanks, have computers in them, all of which need maintenance and upkeep. It is almost always necessary for technicians to now use laptops and held-held monitoring devices to do their jobs.

The new Pierce Transit apprenticeship program is helping technicians to keep up with this technology. The fouryear, 8,000-hour program is set to the speed and skill of the apprentice. Throughout the program, apprentices eventually reach enough competency to take on the responsibility of working independently.

This apprenticeship program is vital to ensure technicians are up to date on all aspects of technology that could otherwise lead to premature wear or damage of components or even injury and death of technicians, drivers, or passengers.

The Department of Labor approved apprentice program takes serious commitment and time, but with the assistance of agency trainers and union mentors, apprentices gain the critical knowledge necessary to get the job done.

A highly skilled workforce is essential to the nation’s transit system. Whenever a senior technician retires, it’s not just a set of hands the industry loses, it’s years of knowledge and skills that leaves with them. Pierce Transit is an amazing opportunity for mechanics to get state and nationally certified training to authenticate their hard work and narrow the skills gap left by retiring technicians.

“The ATU is proud to be partnering with Pierce Transit and the Transportation Learning Center to ensure that our workforce is ready to meet the demands of the present and the future,” said Costa.