Montana State University, California State University, Long Beach, University of Tennessee, Memphis to lead $6.4 million Federal Railroad Administration Grant.

This project provides intentional, coordinated action to assist local communities and rail employers in addressing persistent skills gaps, constrained hiring pools, and missed opportunities for long-term growth. Three regional transportation workforce centers based at Montana State University (MSU), the University of Memphis (UofM), and California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) are convening regional, multi-sector rail working groups to guide project implementation. These groups bring together representatives from across the rail ecosystem, including freight and passenger rail, Class I, II, and III operators, intercity passenger carriers, and related industry partners, alongside education and workforce stakeholders. Through this initiative, the Western Transportation Institute (WTI) at Montana State University and its partners will work are strengthening to strengthen the rail workforce pipeline by developing educational programs, expanding industry partnerships, and preparing students and workers for careers in the rail transportation sector.Titled “Developing a Home-Grown Multidisciplinary Rail Workforce through Engagement with the Corridor Systems Planning Process”, the project will support research and workforce development activities to lead multidisciplinary rail workforce capacity-building activities focused on increasing faculty, student, and youth engagement with rail-related topics and skillsets. Project outcomes include enhanced coordination between industry, labor, economic development, and education sectors; increased professional capacity of faculty and teachers in rail topics; expanded early career exposure and student engagement with rail-focused content and problem-solving; and strengthened local talent pipelines.[Placeholder for Susan quote – after page is updated, we send and ask for quote]

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“The goals of this grant are mission-critical for California and the nation,” said Tyler Reeb, Executive Director of the Center for International Trade & Transportation (CITT) at CSULB. “The grant builds on CITT’s leadership in supply chain and logistics and intermodal freight while addressing current and future workforce needs impacting organized labor, Tribal transportation professionals, and communities throughout the nation who rely on rail systems.”

The grant is funded by the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.