Publication Number: FHWA-HRT-08-017
Date: September 2008

New Resources for Training the Transportation Workforce

Improving training opportunities for transportation infrastructure workers nationwide is the ongoing goal of the Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TCCC). The TCCC is introducing an array of new Web-based courses this fall and launching the online National Transportation Training Resource (NTTR) to serve as a central repository of training information.

The TCCC is a partnership that includes the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), FHWA's National Highway Institute (NHI), regional State training and certification groups, several American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials subcommittees, and industry associations. Formed in 2000, the TCCC has developed a Core Curriculum Matrix encompassing five program areas: construction, materials, maintenance, safety, and employee development. This curriculum has been used by State and local transportation agencies and industry in their efforts to establish training programs and develop specific courses for technical personnel. The TCCC has also used the curriculum matrix to guide its development of course materials that can be used nationwide. "The core curriculum matrix has been useful to our training programs," says Ken Cox of the Florida Department of Transportation. "The availability of the TCCC course materials, including resource kits and student materials, has also been very helpful."

Free online courses developed by the TCCC and NHI include a class on pavement preservation treatment construction.

The NTTR represents the next step in better disseminating training information and resources to transportation departments, industry, and academia. The NTTR's online database will collect, store, and manage training resources for the highway workforce, identifying resources by technical categories and skill level competency. Resources will include construction and maintenance courses and training materials available through the TCCC, FHWA, NHI, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), State transportation departments, and industry associations. The easy-to-use tool is designed for individuals who develop, evaluate, or deliver highway training, including training staff in highway agencies, LTAP and TTAP centers, and industry associations.

"These individuals can use the NTTR to aid in the development of new training resources, learn about training approaches unique to specific transportation disciplines, or identify peer experts who can share experiences or resources," says Christopher Newman of FHWA's Office of Asset Management. "There has been strong interest from States in this resource, as agencies don't have to start from scratch with developing training but rather can see what's already available. Using the NTTR will lead to a higher level of training coordination and a decrease in redundant development efforts." The NTTR will include both a public Web site, where all site visitors can search for resources, and a password-protected area, where highway agency staff and other contributors can upload and manage training course information.

The TCCC is currently collecting training resources to include in the NTTR, which will launch later this fall. To submit training resources, visit www.nttr.dot.gov and register as a contributor, or send an email to gerry.flood@dot.gov. For a small number of resources, a contributor can use a Resource Contribution Form, while large files or an entire database can be submitted using the site's XML upload feature. Technical support is available for contributors submitting files.

TCCC training resources available now include free Web-based courses developed by the TCCC in partnership with NHI:

• Pavement Preservation Treatment Construction (Course No. FHWA-NHI-131110).
• Basic Materials for Highway and Structure Construction and Maintenance (Course No. FHWA-NHI-131117).
• Ethics Awareness for the Transportation Industry (Course No. FHWA-NHI-134069).
• Basic Construction and Maintenance Documentation: Improving the Daily Diary (Course No. FHWA-NHI-134071).
• Math Module (Course No. FHWA-NHI-134072).
• Hardened Concrete Properties-Durability (Course No. FHWA-NHI-134075).
• Global Positioning System Technology (Course No. FHWA-NHI-134078).

TCCC training resources that can be used nationwide include a core curriculum for transportation infrastructure workers.

"The new Web-based courses allow State agencies, contractors, and others to access useful training at no cost and at any time that is most convenient for them," says Chris Anderson of the Iowa Department of Transportation, who has led the TCCC's efforts to develop the online training. "We are now in the process of developing more courses, as we want to make the on-demand Web training available in a variety of skill areas." For more information on the courses or to register, visit www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov.

The initial work of the TCCC was supported by a State pooled fund study. FHWA is sponsoring a new 5-year pooled fund study to support the continued development of the TCCC core curriculum, NTTR, and other training tools and resources through 2013. For more information on the pooled fund study, visit www.pooledfund.org and search under "Posted Solicitations" number 1205.

To learn more about the TCCC's core curriculum and training resources, visit www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov/tccc. For additional information on the TCCC or to join the pooled fund study, contact Christopher Newman at FHWA, 202-366-2023 (email: christopher.newman@fhwa.dot.gov). For more information on contributing resources to the NTTR, contact Gerry Flood at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 617-848-3848 (email: gerry.flood@dot.gov).

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