Texas Transit Association Statewide Training Initiative
TTA is now expanding access to educational resources by launching a Statewide training initiative covering the many obstacles that transit staff face, including funding, procurement, and regulatory compliance. This training opportunity is made possible with a grant through TxDOT.
To administer this program, TTA will work closely with Easterseals, which has over 34 years of experience developing and implementing training programs and workshops for rural, suburban, and urban transit agencies. This training curriculum will be designed and delivered to be relevant to transit providers at various levels of management, accounting, and procurement professionals, front-line supervisors, dispatchers/ call center staff, and drivers. It will incorporate best practices from both the public and the private sector.
All courses, workshops, and webinars, in-person or virtual, are designed to be interactive and participatory. These courses will be offered to Transit agencies in Texas at no cost, but space is limited, so make sure that you and your staff don’t miss out on this great opportunity.
TTA’s Upcoming Courses
De-Escalation Training
April 25, 1:30-3 PM
Trainer: Lenzy Williams, Crown Consulting
Leadership Development: Created for So Much More! (Online Webinar)
May 16, 2023 (Online Webinar)
10-11:30 AM CST
Trainer: Kristen Joyner
70 million Americans hate their job. That’s 70% of the 100 million full time employees in the US. We’re tired, stressed or bored. Have you forgotten how important your profession really is?
This session will help you see public transportation in a whole new light. Instead of grinding out your life, reignite your passion for living and working because you were created for so much more!
This session will help you see public transportation in a whole new light. Instead of grinding out your life, reignite your passion for living and working because you were created for so much more!
Project Management (Online Webinar)
June 6, 2023
1-2:30 PM CST
Trainer: Chelcie Beadnell, Easterseals Project Action
The workshop is designed to provide transit professionals with the essential knowledge and skills required to manage complex projects. The training will cover the fundamentals of project management, including project planning, budgeting, and stakeholder engagement. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the latest tools and techniques for project management, as well as best practices for delivering projects on time and within budget. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a solid understanding of project management principles and be better equipped to manage transit projects successfully.
Financial Management I (In-person)
June 27-28, 2023 – WACO, TX – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day
Location: Waco Transit System, 301 S 8th Street, Conference Room
Trainer: A.T. Stoddard
This course provides an introduction to financial management and provides an understanding of basic cost accounting, regulatory and grant requirements, and use of financial data. Participants will be able to estimate operating costs for their system, develop a budget, and develop a cost allocation model using financial and operating data. Completion of the course will provide the ability to use financial data and a cost allocation model for service planning, pricing contract service, and performance evaluation.
Module 1: Overview and Basic Accounting Concepts
Module 2: FTA and State Requirements
Module 3: Estimating Costs and Budgeting
Module 4: Cost Allocation
Module 5: Cost Allocation Models
Module 6: Performance Monitoring and Wrap-Up
Hotel Indigo, 211 Clay Ave, Waco, TX 76706
Rate: $159.99 plus tax (May 26th is the last day to book under the TTA block)
Phone: (254) 754-7000
Safety and Security I and II (In-Person)
July 11-12, 2023 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day
Location: CapMetro Meeting Room on the 2nd floor, at 2910 East Fifth Street, Austin, Texas 78702Trainer: Kelly Shawn, RLS
This workshop will instruct participants on how to conform to the federal Safety Management System requirements in a manner that meets requirements and is scalable to the size of the organization. It will also identify gaps and needs in the transit agencies’ safety and security programs, specific elements for creating a safety and security plan, and discussion identifying best practices in safety and security administration. Additional topics to be presented during the workshop include but are not limited to: Developing a Safety Culture; Reducing Vulnerability; Safety Policy Formation, Planning, & Implementation; Accident & Incident Reporting and Documentation; and Safety Sensitive Employees and Drug Testing Requirements/Reporting Responsibilities.
The Safety and Security Training Level 1 course introduced participants to the basic framework of Safety Management Systems (SMS), FTA’s required structure of risk management included in 49 CFR Part 673 Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans (PTASP). The Level 2 course will go into depth on the implementation and update process to ensure your Plan reflects the characteristics of your operation and is properly “tuned” to reduce unnecessary burdens while maintaining a safe work environment for your staff, passengers and the public.
Hotel: Courtyard By Marriott, 5660 N. IH-35, Austin, TX 78701
Rate: $109.00 plus tax (June 13th is the last day to book under the TTA block)
(512) 458-2340
Conflict Resolution
July 14, 10:30 am – 12:00 noon CT (Online Webinar)Trainer: Kristen Joyner, KJ Backpack
Conflict is inevitable in workplace settings and public transportation is no different. Conflicts can arise between co-workers, be imbedded among supervisors and subordinates or when there is a clash with customers. Managing conflict is a key management competency that requires study and practice to maintain a positive workplace environment. We will review examples of conflicts and resolutions in a transit environment that can give you an idea of what to expect, when conflicts arise.
Procurement (In-Person)
August 10-11, 2023 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day
Location: ETCOG Meeting Room, at 3800 Stone Rd, Kilgore, Texas 75662
Trainer: Greg Harnett, RLS
This workshop will cover the fundamental rules for conducting FTA-funded procurements. Specifically, we will examine the requirements associated with each threshold of procurement (i.e., micro-purchase, small purchase, formal purchase), non-competitive procurements, joint and “piggyback” procurements, rolling stock procurement and disposition, and procurement of design and construction services. Further, we will discuss the causes of common procurement findings arising from FTA audits, as well as what agencies can do to achieve compliance in these areas.The FTA Procurement Essentials training is a two-part program designed to guide grant recipients through the complex and dynamic regulatory landscape of FTA-funded purchasing. In the first module, the training will provide an interactive overview of critical procurement guidance and resources available to assist grant recipients, including FTA’s Circular 4220.1F, Best Practices Procurement & Lessons Learned Manual, and Contractors Manual, as well as National RTAP’s ProcurementPRO. The first module will also illustrate the requirements applicable to various procurement sizes and types, including micro-purchases, simplified acquisitions (also known as small purchases), formal purchases, non-competitive procurements (i.e., sole source and single bid procurements), joint and “piggyback” procurements, and rolling stock purchases.
Hotel: Comfort Suites Kilgore, 1210 Hwy. 259 N, Kilgore, TX 75662
Rate: $90.00 plus tax
Group name: Texas Transit Association (July 21st is the last day to book under the TTA block)
(903) 984-2385
Making the Case: Influencing Decision Makers (Online Webinar)
August 29, 2023
1-2:30 PM CT
Trainer: Carol Wright Kenderdine, Easterseals Project Action
Understanding decision making in a political context is step one in the process of learning how to influence such decisions. In this course, instruction and hands on experience will be provided to develop information, data, arguments, strategies and positioning to use with elected and appointed officials who always face limitations on resources, multiple demands for those resources, and equally legitimate alternatives for spending opportunities. Simultaneously, insight will be provided to guide greater understanding of the factors that often influence individuals as they engage in making decisions.
Recognizing that transit is a community resource, particular emphasis will be devoted to understanding the benefits of building, sustaining, and using coalitions to obtain desired results within the political context of decision making by appointed and elected officials. Attention will be given to some do’s and don’ts regarding efforts to influence decision making, including avoiding conflicts of interest.
From becoming aware of selecting legitimate alternatives in the face of limited resources – a constant reality faced by elected and appointed officials – to developing information, arguments, positioning and data supporting your needs, this session will not only help you improve your skills to achieve your goals but will also prevent you from becoming a victim of the political skills of others.
Upcoming Courses:
September:
Financial Management II
Agencies interested in hosting future training classes can contact Allen@TxTransit.org for details.
- Host agencies are expected to provide the following:
- Training Room with a projector that can accommodate up to 35 individuals classroom style.
- Refreshments and coffee for morning and afternoon breaks.
- Please note that the training location must be in close proximity to dining establishments to allow participants to leave and return within one hour.
- Host agencies may also provide lunch if there are no dining establishments nearby.
- The host agency is encouraged to offer tours of their facility.