Effective Workforce Development Programs Texas Construction Career Academy National Summer Transportation Institute Mark Arrington, FHWA – Texas Division

On-the-Job Training Programs It is the policy of the FHWA to: Require full utilization of all available training and skill- improvement opportunities to assure the increased participation of minority groups and disadvantaged persons and women in all phases of the highway construction industry. Encourage the provision of supportive services which will increase the effectiveness of approved on-the-job training programs conducted in connection with Federal-aid highway construction projects.

On-the-Job Training Programs Federal Regulation 23 CFR Part 230, Subpart A, Equal Employment Opportunity on Federal and Federal-aid Construction Contracts. Targets women, minorities, and disadvantaged individuals for entry into journey-level positions to ensure that a competent workforce is available to meet highway construction hiring needs. Address the historical under-representation of members of these groups in highway construction skilled crafts.

On-the-Job Supportive Services Under the provisions of 23 U.S.C. §140(b), the Secretary of Transportation has the authority to fund OJT/SS in an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 annually. State DOT may supplement this amount with a portion of their STP funds as provided by 23 U.S.C. § 504(e) Surface Transportation Workforce Development, Training, and Education 23 CFR Part 230

Elements of an OJT/SS Program When developing a training program focus on the following: Careers, Not Short Term Jobs Partnerships Meaningful Industry Engagement Strategies to Increase Opportunities for Under- Represented Populations Focus on Results and Outcomes

Elements of an OJT/SS Program – Partnerships TxDOT Construction Career Academy Performing Vendors Associated General Contractors of Texas (AGC)

Partners and In-Kind Services Performing Vendors University of Texas at Arlington Texas Southern University Prairie View A&M University Partners and In-Kind Services AGC PVAMU Alumni/Faculty American GI Forum Dallas Housing Auth. Goodwill Industries Del Mar College KTSU Radio Texas DPS Texas Workforce Solutions Family Community Centers Area Churches Minority Contracting Associations

(Program Objectives, Goals and Deliverables) Results and Outcomes (Program Objectives, Goals and Deliverables) Programs that clearly identify performance measures and provide deliverables that measure success. Set SMART goals: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Time Frame

(Program Objectives, Goals and Deliverables) Results and Outcomes (Program Objectives, Goals and Deliverables) Goal: Develop and implement recruitment services in order to increase women, minorities, and economically disadvantaged individual’s participation in the highway construction industry. Objective: To recruit and enroll 173 participants in the program. Outcome: TxDOT’s OJT/SS program recruited and enrolled 110 participants. Goal: Provide participant job placement assistance through a job referral system resulting in employment. Objective: Place 50 percent of the participants on highway construction jobs. Outcome: Sixty-five percent of the participants found employment through the OJT/SS program.

Program Curriculum Subject Hours Forklift Certification 8 Introduction to the Transportation Construction Industry  2 Work Zone Construction Site Safety OSHA 10-hour Construction Card 12 Flagger Certification 4 Work Zone Traffic Control Preventive Maintenance and safe Operations of Vehicles and Equipment Qualified Rigger/Signal Person Trenching and Excavation Safety Competent Person First Aid/CPR/AED for Laborers Resume Writing Fundamentals Interview Fundamentals Heavy Equipment Training 32

Program Curriculum Heavy Equipment Training: Heavy equipment training is provided based on the needs of the industry and the machines widely used in many types of construction (building, utility, and roadway work). Training is both classroom and hands-on operation. OSHA 10-hour Construction: 10-Hour Construction Industry Outreach is intended to inform workers about their rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint. Workers will also learn how to identify, abate, avoid, and prevent job related hazards on a construction site. Qualified Rigger/Signal Person - Participants will learn how to perform the proper hand signals and voice commands for both tower crane and mobile crane operations. Rigger/Signal Person Certification will ensure that the inspector is competent and qualified. Trenching and Excavation Safety Competent Person - The excavation safety competent person training program is designed to meet the training requirements stipulated by OSHA in the Excavation Standard for the competent person, who is in responsible charge of ensuring safety at excavation sites.

Participant Characteristics

Program Results Month Location Attended Percent Employed March Dallas 26 89% May Houston 22 91% July San Antonio 55% 24 67% September Prairie View 16 63% Totals 110 74%

National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI) To promote the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines in transportation-education and career opportunities among middle and high school students, including at-risk youth. Authorized under the current transportation bill as a Transportation Career Education Program for Secondary School Youth.

Program Objectives Improve STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) Skills Provide awareness about transportation related careers to middle school and high school students Encourage students to consider transportation related fields of study in their higher education pursuits. Host Sites must commit significant program time to classroom instruction

Program Elements Participants must be from either a middle school (grades 6-8) or a high school (grades 9-12) Program can be residential or non- residential The program curriculum must be STEM focused and designed to attract participants to the transportation field

Program Curriculum Land Transportation Air Transportation Water Transportation Safety Academic achievement and individual growth (time management, test prep, communication skills, etc.) Sports and Recreation (promotes physical health, teamwork and sportsmanship)

Final Thoughts OJT SS programs are run year round NSTI programs are run in the summer Funding (Texas): OJT SS - $500,000 annually NSTI - $90,000 annually (2 schools/year) Proposals only accepted from TxDOT to FHWA. Vendors must submit proposals to TxDOT TxDOT NSTI/OJT SS Program Manager: Tonia Yarbrough, TxDOT Civil Rights Federal Programs Section Director Tonia.Yarbrough@txdot.gov, 512-416-4689

Contact Information: Mark Arrington Civil Rights Program Manager FHWA – Texas Division (512) 536-5916 Mark.arrington@dot.gov