The Transdev Maintenance Apprenticeship Program, launched in 2022 at the Fairfax Connector in Virginia, is shaping the future of transit by training young adults to become ASE-certified maintenance technicians.
It’s the first program in Virginia to partner with the Department of Labor and the International Transit Learning Center (ITLC). The one-year program combines four days of hands-on mentorship with one day of classroom training each week, covering technical skills, ASE test prep, and professional development. Apprentices shadow mentors on various shifts and gain access to union benefits after 90 days.
The program also builds communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, with regular progress check-ins. Successful participants become ASE C-level technicians and receive a wage increase. This initiative has eased the workload of the maintenance team and strengthened the local transit workforce, earning praise from Transdev’s leadership for its impact and structure.
