Professional Development: Overview
We need to develop adequate numbers of transportation safety professionals for the future
We need to develop adequate numbers of transportation safety professionals for the future. Our transportation labor force is shrinking- due to changes in birth rates, career choices, retirements, and the evolution of roadway safety.
We need to ensure adequate training and education of the existing transportation safety work force. Knowledge gaps, filled, will save lives.
Consider these solutions and training opportunities...
Solutions
Workforce Planning - ensures that there will be enough adequately trained professionals for future efforts. The FHWA is leading efforts like the Highway Safety Workforce Planning Forum to cooperatively plan strategies for the profession nationwide.
Core Competencies - identify the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for each position related to safety. Efforts are underway nationwide and for individual agencies.
Certifications - encourage staff to reach for the next level and document their skills. Examples include NICET, P.E., P.T.O.E., and "Road Scholars". New examples may include graduate certificates in safety, and Road Safety Scholars for local workers.
Transportation Curriculum Coordinating Council - a cooperative effort among state DOTs and others to establish training paths in 5 areas: construction, maintenance, materials, employee development, and Traffic & Safety, which is now under development.
College & Graduate Education - trains future transportation professionals in the safety skills needed upon entering the workforce. FHWA, colleges, and a TRB Subcommittee on Safety Workforce Development are addressing core competencies, a policy study, and model curricula.
Student Education - classroom programs teach children about signal, pedestrian, and work zone safety; and promote transportation careers.
Partnerships - FHWA, AASHTO, ITE, TRB, NACE, and many other organizations work together to find solutions, develop standards, and provide training.
Other - on-the-job training, career paths, research, knowledge management, outreach, professional capacity building, training videos, and a new Work Zone Curriculum Framework all help.
Professional Development - invests in you and your staff to improve the ability of your agency to make cost-effective safety improvements. See a list of course offerings from a variety of sources.
