SUMMARY
Public Transit Workforce Development for Zero-Emission Vehicles

The objective of this report is to help public transportation agencies that have purchased or are planning to purchase zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) provide their frontline workers with the skills and knowledge needed to safely and efficiently operate and maintain them. For the purposes of this report, frontline workers are defined as technicians that maintain ZEVs and the operators that drive them. The highly advanced nature of ZEVs will require additional resources to enhance the skills of these workers through training. This report is intended to provide needed training resources and best practice examples, thereby ensuring that transit agencies are adequately prepared to successfully integrate ZEVs into their fleets.

The report focuses on battery-electric buses (BEBs) and fuel-cell buses used in revenue service. The research did not address workforce skills and knowledge related to the facilities or infrastructure required to support ZEVs.

This report presents seven tasks that can be used to develop and train vehicle operators and maintenance technicians responsible for ZEVs. The level of effort needed to support each of the seven tasks will vary depending on the transit agencyʼs:

• Level and effectiveness of existing training programs and resources,
• Ability to identify deficient skills and direct training to provide those skills,
• Relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and
• Ability to recruit and retain a skilled and talented workforce.

How to Develop and Train the ZEV Workforce

The research revealed several approaches and resources that can be used to accomplish the seven tasks; these are summarized in the following sections. References to specific resources and additional approaches are offered in the Approaches and Resources subsection for each task. The appendices provide greater detail on specific transit agency approaches captured in the case studies and profiles.

Identify Needed ZEV Skills

Background

Electric vehicle propulsion dates back to the late nineteenth century, but high-voltage applications combined with advanced electronic control and data communication systems found in modern ZEVs introduce a new level of skills that must be identified before they can be taught and mastered.

Approaches and Resources

• Operators must understand how various ZEV subsystems interact with one another, how to maximize battery life and vehicle range, and how to safely handle emergency situations.
  • OEMs are an important source for needed skills.
• Technicians need skills regarding basic electrical/electronic (EE) systems; high-voltage storage, distribution, and related safety precautions; use of personal protective equipment; data communication systems; multiplexing; and alternating current.
  • APTAʼs Zero-Emission Bus Maintenance Training: Recommended Practice identifies the many and varied skills needed by ZEV technicians.¹ Other resources are OEMs, technical schools, and community colleges.

Assess Workforce Readiness

Background

Operators and technicians will have varying skill levels that need to be enhanced through training to ensure that they are fully ZEV proficient. Assessing the skills of each worker allows training to be targeted to fill skill gaps and strengthen skills, resulting in a training program that is both efficient and effective.

Approaches and Resources

• Technicians can use a skills-gap analysis to assess their own skills based on APTAʼs recommended practice, which is a key strategy to identifying skill needs.
  • An example of a skills-gap survey that can be used for ZEVs is shown in Appendix E.
• Transit agencies may opt for other testing and qualification methods. IndyGo customized a detailed test of zero-emission technologies and theory for technicians that wish to enter the high-voltage technician classification.
• Operator and technician ZEV workforce readiness qualifications can be assessed more informally through interviews with the personnel involved, along with their supervisors and coworkers.

Develop a Systematic Process for Building Skills

Background

The task of developing a process to identify ZEV skills, pinpoint skill deficiencies, and establish a training program to teach these skills will require dedication, effort, and time. Regardless, this task is essential to ensure ZEV success.

Approaches and Resources

• A step-by-step process was developed by the Transit Workforce Center (TWC) to help transit agencies that have sought federal funding for ZEVs. The process requires transit agencies to examine the specific impact ZEVs will have on their workforce and then develop a detailed approach for ensuring that the workforce has necessary skills.²
• Apprenticeship programs also offer a way to track mastery of skills and competencies.

Cultivate OEM Support

Background

OEMs are an important source for ZEV training. However, there is a wide variation in the level of training being requested and in the effectiveness of that training. Despite the

shortfalls, building strong relationships with OEMs will prove beneficial in obtaining much of the necessary training.

Approaches and Resources

• Transit agency procurement requirements should clearly define the level of training and related documentation to be provided by the OEM.
  • A report entitled Providing Training for Zero Emission Buses provides comprehensive training language specifically for ZEVs that can be directly inserted into a transit agencyʼs request for proposals.³
• Frontline worker involvement in the procurement process has resulted in more effective OEM and third-party training.
• Partnerships between OEMs and their major suppliers, especially those that provide the electric propulsion system, can assist with training development.

Establish Training Resources and Capacity

Background

Although most transit agencies procure ZEV training from OEMs, OEMs cannot be expected to meet the full training demands. Transit agencies can also provide training to develop ZEV-related skills, or they can seek third-party resources.

Approaches and Resources

• Additional ZEV training exists beyond that offered by the OEMs, including training that can be obtained through partnerships with local colleges, universities, and trade/tech schools.
  • AC Transit (Oakland, CA) is working to establish its Zero-Emission Bus University, which will include simulations of operational and maintenance procedures.
  • The California Transit Training Consortium (CTTC) offers a wide variety of technical training courses to transit agencies in California. These courses include foundational electric courses and courses pertaining directly to ZEVs.
  • California Transit Works! (CTW) is focused on building training programs on a joint labor–management basis, including programs for ZEVs. ZEV-related resources include a series of training videos.
  • The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) offers training sessions on ZEV adoption in the United States and Canada, funding programs and procurement, and safety requirements.⁴
  • Centennial College in Toronto, Ontario, has a transit-specific electric vehicle (EV) training program that has benefited from the involvement of a transit labor union.⁵
  • The TWC has released a training course complete with ready-to-use materials to familiarize technicians with BEB technology, maintenance, and safety fundamentals.⁶
• Pooling the resources of multiple transit agencies is a cost-effective way to provide ZEV and other training.

Build Foundational Electrical Skills

Background

A 2020 report from the FTA and the National Transit Institute supported the common understanding of transit maintenance professionals that many transit agency technicians lack knowledge of, or confidence in, diagnostic theory and EE systems.⁷ Before high-voltage

skills can be acquired, technicians first need foundational EE skills, an important level of technical training.

Approaches and Resources

• Training materials and sources are plentiful because foundational electrical principles apply to vehicles (such as cars and trucks) in the road-transportation sector. These materials can be obtained from sources such as community colleges, OEMs, various websites, and other transit agencies.
• Crossover skills from related technologies, such as hybrids, can be used.
• Basic electrical training is more effective when students are engaged in the learning process.
  • Hands-on and lab exercises coupled with online computer simulations are especially helpful.
  • Computer simulations are particularly useful to gain the skills needed to use a digital volt-ohm meter, which is an essential tool for diagnosing electrical faults.

Recruit and Retain Workforce to Operate and Maintain ZEVs

Background

Because ZEVs require particular workforce skill sets, transit agencies should intentionally recruit and retain employees to operate and maintain ZEVs.

Approaches and Resources

• Key strategies include providing competitive pay, access to training, positive working conditions, and benefits.
• Other strategies. Some transit agencies partner with educational institutions to support workforce recruitment and retention initiatives, while others offer structured training programs, mentorships, and apprenticeships that support long-term retention through career ladder/career progression programs.

Lessons from Other Industries

The public transportation industry is not alone in the need to prepare its workforce for ZEVs. These vehicles are also operated by government agencies, local school districts, and private logistics companies such as the United Parcel Service (UPS) and Amazon. Although ZEV technology applications may vary, the fundamental skills needed to operate and maintain these vehicles are comparable. Much can be learned by exploring strategies used in other industries as they introduce ZEV fleets.

• Automotive industry resources. One automotive resource of interest to transit is the Electric Vehicle Technician/Shop Personnel Electrical Safety Standards, established by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an independent testing and certification organization for service professionals. The standards establish electrical safety procedures and safe work practices. The standards also address the risks associated with electric vehicle repair, how to help someone injured due to high-voltage exposure, training, and other requirements.⁸
• School bus systems are also adding zero-emission buses to their fleets. As such, this industry also has much to offer regarding workforce training. In addition to the resources found on the Clean School Bus Program website, the U.S. Department of Energyʼs Vehicle

• Technologies Office developed a series of educational webinars and handouts for implementing electric school buses. In particular, Part 7 of this series addresses driver and technician training.⁹
• ZEV training programs. Training provided by school bus dealers and OEMs can be proprietary and not widely shared. In response, several organizations offer electric vehicle training programs. Among these organizations are the California Energy Commission, Colorado Department of Transportation, LegacyEV, National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program, and First Student.¹⁰