Education Caucus
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The Education Caucus brings together partnerships, faculty, program coordinators, and workforce leaders from colleges, apprenticeship programs, and Local Education Agencies (LEAs). It serves as a space to collaborate on curriculum design, share best practices in career technical education (CTE), and strengthen partnerships that support pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeships and adult education pathways—ensuring equitable access to transit careers.
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2026
In 2026, the California Transit Works Education Caucus continues to grow as a statewide coalition of community college and adult education professionals, transit agencies, labor-management partnerships, and union representatives working together to develop apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and CTE certificate programs for the public transit industry. Building on recent accomplishments, including supporting record apprenticeship graduations, expanding regional High Road Training Partnership networks, advancing innovative programs such as the Fundamentals of Electrical Electronics (FEED) training, and strengthening pathways from pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship, the caucus shares expertise and best practices to meet evolving workforce needs, expand opportunities for college credit, and strengthen pathways into transit careers. In the coming year, the caucus will also begin developing a Systems Toolkit to help partnerships more effectively collaborate with educational institutions and replicate successful workforce development models across the state.
Looking Ahead
What a year of significant momentum for California Transit Works in 2025, including record apprenticeship graduations, expanding regional partnerships, and new training initiatives supporting the transition to zero-emission transit technology. Looking ahead to 2026, the Education Caucus remains committed to strengthening pathways into transit careers, expanding apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities, and supporting the launch of the new Clean Transit Academy.
2025
-November 8, 2025
Congratulations to Our Route to Success Completers
On Saturday, November 8th, fifteen participants proudly completed the Route to Success Bus Operator Academy — a four-week program created by San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) to prepare future bus operators for their professional training journey.
This first-of-its-kind pilot program was made possible through the collective efforts of RTD staff, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), ATU Local 256, dedicated bus operator Peer Mentors, and California Transit Works. Throughout the academy, participants gained hands-on insight into what it takes to be a bus operator, received support in earning their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) permit, and learned about the inner workings of a public transit agency. This program is paving the way for a new generation of skilled, responsible, and professional bus operators who will keep our community moving!
This first-of-its-kind pilot program was made possible through the collective efforts of RTD staff, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), ATU Local 256, dedicated bus operator Peer Mentors, and California Transit Works. Throughout the academy, participants gained hands-on insight into what it takes to be a bus operator, received support in earning their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) permit, and learned about the inner workings of a public transit agency. This program is paving the way for a new generation of skilled, responsible, and professional bus operators who will keep our community moving!
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It was the remarkable teamwork of everyone involved that made this so successful! Particular shout out and thanks to the 13 Bus Operator Peer Mentors who devoted a lot of time and energy in class to support the participants in this program
-October 2025
The Education Caucus celebrates the groundbreaking Golden Gate Transit and Santa Rosa Junior College Adult Education Bus Operator Pre-Apprenticeship Program, the first bus operator pre-apprenticeship-to-apprenticeship pathway of its kind in the nation. The program demonstrated the power of collaboration between community colleges, adult education, labor, and transit agencies to create new career pathways and prepare the next generation of transit professionals.
-May 1, 2025
Educator's Toolkit Presentation at College of Marin