The Transportation Career Trainee program, which kicked off March 3, draws on the expertise of regional experts in the areas of rail, bus, automotive, trucking and planning.
 
Funded through CT MET, Connecticut’s Manufacturing, Energy and Transportation Initiative, 20 students will complete the program over 13 weeks, sharpening their skills, exploring career options and earning an industry-recognized  safety credential. CT-MET is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor.
 
“This non-credit program has in the past been very focused as a review of electro-mechanical skills and employment exam test prep in the railroad industry,” said Vicki Bozzuto, dean of workforce development and continuing education. “We have kept that as its core, but added modules to reflect the full transportation industry as a career pathway for people with a good skills base looking for a new direction.”
 
New modules include GPS/GIS, logistics, fleet mechanics and operations, and blueprint reading.
 
Regional experts in transportation planning, aviation maintenance, transit district operations and the trucking industry will serve as guest lecturers. The Spring will also be highlighted with a tour of the Greater New Haven Transit District hub in Hamden, and a group project to contribute to TransformCT, the CT Department of Transportation’s 50-year strategic planning initiative.
 
Transportation Career Trainee students will get an overview from the TransformCT project manager, and then work as a class on suggestions for the plan. Students will then lead an outreach to the entire Gateway Community College student body to gather additional input, then culminate in a community event on May 6 where New Haven-area residents and other college students can learn how to contribute ideas and suggestions  for TransformCT. (See www.transformct.org for more information.)
 
Graduates of the Transportation Career Trainee program will go on to enter internships, apprenticeships, employment or higher-level learning in related fields. For more on this and other non-credit workforce development programs, contact Gateway’s Resource, Education and Training (GREAT) Center at 203-285-2300 or www.gatewayct.edu/great-center.