Lean Program (Pierce Transit)

Pierce Transit has an extensive set of programs designed to train employees in the techniques of Lean management, an operating philosophy that focuses on efficiency and continuous improvement. The Lean system is built around a combination of new trainings, individual projects, and an overall culture change within the organization. There are three courses currently offered at Piece on Lean techniques: beginner, leadership, and Green Belt certification. The beginner course focuses on an introduction to the Lean philosophy followed by some of the practical applications of the 8-step Lean problem solving process, and is offered to all employees of Pierce Transit. The leadership course is intended for managers within the organization, and focuses more on how to apply Lean techniques to a department or team. Green Belt certification is the most extensive course and focuses on developing a deeper understanding of Lean management and allowing trainees to work on individual projects to improve Pierce Transit’s efficiency. In the future, Pierce Transit is hoping to expand their course offerings to include even higher levels of certification.

ContactSamantha Einarson

Management Development Program (Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority)

25-month rotation for recent college graduates who are interested in transit. The program allows graduates to learn about different aspects of the organization and explore the possibility of working at GCRTA or another agency.

Manager in Training Program (Chicago Transit Authority)

This is a 10-month program, taught one weekend a month by a local college faculty. The programs focus is aimed at teaching entry-level managers how different departments function within the organization.

Mentorship Program (Orange County Transportation Authority)

The Management Development Program is designed to introduce new professionals to the world of transit. Recent college graduates are offered a 25-month rotation through different departments of Greater Cleveland RTA. After their rotation, many of these graduates go on to work for GCRTA or other transit agencies around the country. 6 classes have passed through the program so far, with 4-5 students in each class. While there is always some difficulty in identifying who truly wants to work in the transit industry long-term, many of the program’s graduates have gone on to become staple employees of GCRTA and other agencies. The program also helps “de-silo” the agency by providing the employees who have gone through this training with a comprehensive perspective beyond the department where they happen to work.

Contact:  George F. Fields, SPHR, Director, Training & Employee Development