Building the Future Together: Inaugural CTW Northern California Regional Conference

The first Northern California Regional Conference brought together partners, leaders, and frontline professionals for a day of collaboration, creativity, and shared vision. Hosted by Golden Gate Transit and ATU Local 1575, the conference was held at the Bill and Adele Jonas Center at the College of Marin, a valued partner with Golden Gate Transit in the Bus Operator Apprenticeship program.
The day opened with an exciting announcement: the first-ever combined ATU Local and Agency Management caucus would be held that afternoon. The session was met with overwhelming enthusiasm and proved to be a huge success, leaving participants energized and eager for continued collaboration.
Throughout the day, specialized caucuses created space for meaningful dialogue and innovation. Maintenance teams met in both morning and afternoon sessions, generating creative and forward-thinking ideas. Their presentations stood out, showcasing the strength of ideas led by Maintenance and supported through facilitation by ATU and CTW. Peer Mentors also gathered for morning and afternoon caucuses, led by the mentors themselves and facilitated by CTW and ATU. These sessions were rich with shared experiences, valuable information, and practical ideas that resonated across agencies.
Coordinators came together to exchange exciting and creative ideas focused on closing out 2025 strong while laying the groundwork for an even more impactful 2026. ATU Workforce Development led a dedicated morning caucus that produced innovative ideas and shared important updates on upcoming initiatives, reinforcing the collective commitment to workforce growth. Meanwhile, the Management caucus led by CTW and ATU met to exchange informative and creative perspectives, further strengthening collaboration across roles.
One of the most memorable moments of the conference was the first-ever competition among the High Road Training Partnerships to design a CTW NorCal Patch. The room buzzed with energy as teams designed, presented, and voted on their creations. Congratulations to SamTrans and ATU Local 1574 (SMART) who took home the win after a fun and spirited competition.
The day was capped off with a wonderful BBQ lunch, along with prize drawings that included CTW gift cards and three promotional goodie bags generously provided by VTA.
By the end of the conference, participants shared overwhelmingly positive feedback and offered thoughtful ideas to build upon for next year’s regional conference. The event marked not just a successful first gathering, but the beginning of a strong and collaborative tradition for Northern California.
Thank You to all that attended and helped make this Northern California Regional Conference a success.   ​