WTS Participates in National Transportation Workforce Summit

WTS International was asked to participate in the CUTC (Council of University Transportation Centers) National Transportation Workforce Summit. The Summit, which took place in April 2012 in Washington, DC, was created to foster a national dialog to identify the needs of—and implement solutions to provide for—a skilled, technically competent transportation workforce;  to address key workforce challenges to recruit and retain qualified personnel, fill current and future workforce shortages, and to close gaps in workforce training and education;  to promote greater visibility for transportation careers in industry, government, and academia; to identify administrative and legislative actions at federal, state and local levels to institutionalize effective workforce policies and programs;and to develop a national framework for transportation workforce development through presentation and discussions among transportation, education and labor representatives.

The Summit brought together more than 200 public and private sector leaders from transportation, education and labor to identify policies and programs to enhance transportation workforce development. With transportation demand increasing faster than available resources, growing baby boom generation retirements, and new technologies driving new workforce skill set needs, workforce development is a priority for public and private sector organizations. The National Transportation Workforce Summitprovided for more effective policies and programs that will significantly enhance transportation workforce development, improve collaboration and coordination for enhanced transportation workforce efforts across the transportation, education and labor communities.

Marcia Ferranto, WTS President and CEO, was part of a panel of eight transportation organization leaders that discussed their concerns with workforce development.  Ferranto addressed attendees about issues specific to women and the on-the-job challenges that come up for them across all modes. After the panel, US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood reiterated his commitment to WTS International and made remarks that underscored the need to quickly overcome all challenges faced by the transportation workforce, as it trends toward getting smaller as the country’s infrastructure needs grow increasingly more challenging.  “The Changing Workforce” panel included leadership from across all modes and transportation interests:

Jeffrey Bryan(moderator), Change Management Specialist, Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

Pamela Boswell, VP, Program Management Educational Services, American Public Transportation Association

Julie Cunningham, President and CEO, Council of Minority Transportation Officials

Marcia Ferranto, President and CEO, WTS International

Ed Hamberger, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads

John Horsley, Executive Director, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Patrick Natale, Executive Director, Chief Staff Officer & Secretary, American Society of Civil Engineers

T. Peter Ruane, President & CEO, American Road & Transportation Builders Association

The panel session created a surge of energy at the Workforce Summit, and a lot attention was paid to WTS after the conference as a buzz about its programs and efforts with Transporation YOU moved into post-event discussions.

Back