2025 PSR UTC Annual Congress

Engaging Tribal Colleges & Universities in Transportation Workforce Development Programs - Despite recent employment growth in transportation, the industry faces a critical workforce shortage. A 2024 Descartes study found that 43% of U.S. logistics and supply chain companies report a "severe labor workforce shortage." The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) notes that 96% of transit agencies struggle with recruitment and retention, and 84% say shortages directly impact service operations. These challenges hinder economic growth, especially in rural and underserved communities where underinvestment has worsened the issue. A 2023 study by Peterson and Molina found that 90% of rural transit agencies face driver shortages, with only 17% fully staffed. Factors such as an aging workforce, low compensation, and limited educational pathways exacerbate the problem.

Native American communities are among the most affected, historically excluded from transportation policy and funding. The 135 federally recognized tribes in the U.S. face barriers like geographic isolation, lack of training programs, and underrepresentation in decision-making. In 2021, American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) comprised 1.2% of the U.S. civilian workforce but had an unemployment rate of 8.2%, compared to the national average of 5.3% (BLS, 2023). Unemployment is even higher in AIAN-designated areas, where economic and educational opportunities are limited. Addressing this workforce gap requires targeted investments in education and training to create sustainable employment opportunities in transportation.

Navajo Technical University (NTU), the largest tribal college in the U.S., has partnered with the Mineta Consortium for Equitable, Efficient, and Sustainable Transportation (MCEEST) to develop workforce programs that prepare students for careers in transportation. MCEEST is led by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University in collaboration with Howard University and the University of South Florida. This partnership equips future transportation professionals with essential skills to support industry innovation and sustainability.

A key initiative is NTU’s Summer STEM & Skills Dual Credit Program, which introduces high school students to transportation careers through hands-on learning. Serving the Navajo Nation—a 27,000-square-mile region across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah—the program provides training in construction, engineering, welding, and related fields while enabling students to earn college credits. By engaging students early, it creates career pathways that help address workforce shortages and support economic development.

A highlight of the program is the Diné (Navajo) Maker Faire, where students showcase their projects, reinforcing the importance of education and community-driven innovation. By integrating cultural perspectives with technical training, the program ensures that students are both workforce-ready and prepared to contribute to their communities.

This presentation explores MCEEST’s workforce development initiatives, focusing on NTU's Summer STEM & Skills program. By showcasing its impact, we emphasize the need for sustained investment in education and training, particularly in historically underserved communities. Addressing workforce shortages requires long-term commitments, and supporting programs like NTU’s is an investment in a resilient, innovative transportation sector.