ATU Celebrates National Mentoring Month by Training Hundreds of Members
January is not just the month of New Year’s resolutions. It’s also National Mentoring Month—a perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible mentors who positively transform workers’ lives. The ATU has always advocated for public transit workers across North America, recognizing that professional development is crucial for our members’ success. This January, we proudly took part in National Mentoring Month by leveraging the resources of federal and state grants to train nearly 600 ATU mentors.
Bridging the Gap
In Nashville, TN, our Local 1235 officially kicked off its highly anticipated mentorship program, a collaborative effort developed in partnership with WeGo Public Transit. Through the mentorship program, experienced mentors are trained to effectively provide guidance, support, and the skills necessary to help new hires tackle the unique challenges they will face on the job.
Environment of Growth
Local 256-Sacramento, CA, and Local 788-St Louis, MO, conducted Bus Operator and Maintenance Mentorship trainings to enhance our members’ skills. All of our mentors are equipped with tools and strategies to promote an environment of growth, helping our newest members build confidence, improve their problem-solving skills, and thrive in a fast-paced and often complex work environment.
In San Francisco, CA, our Local 1225 recently conducted its first Coach Operator Mentorship training. The Local worked with Monterey-Salinas Transit to develop this innovative mentorship program.
Fundamental Electrical Skills
In San Jose, CA, the ATU and California Transit Works proudly launched our Train the Trainer class on the Fundamentals of Electrical Electronics (FEE). This vital training saw enthusiastic participation from members of Locals 192-Oakland, 265-San Jose, and 1575-San Rafael. This innovative program, which will be offered to other Locals, not only emphasizes safety but also addresses practical challenges in electrical electronics—the foundation for successfully working with all types of Zero Emission Buses (ZEBs). By empowering our members with this knowledge, we are paving the way for a sustainable future in public transportation.
Support, Respect, and Solidarity
Under International President John Costa’s leadership, by embracing mentorship our Union’s workforce development programs cultivate a culture of support, respect, and solidarity, ensuring that workers— whether new to the field or long-established —have the resources that inspire and empower our members to reach their fullest potential.