Maryland MTA seeks “Preferred Training Partners” for Purple and Red Line projects

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) and the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) have started the "Preferred Training Partner" program for the Baltimore Red Line and the Purple Line light-rail projects.

 

MTA’s goal is to prepare and link “opportunity ready” residents of each project corridor directly to the contractors selected to design, build, operate and maintain the Red and Purple Lines.

” ‘The Preferred Training Partner’ program gives workers the skills they need to compete in the 21st Century marketplace and creates strong, growing communities for Maryland families,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “We remain committed to programs that strengthen our middle class, grow our businesses and expand opportunity for hardworking moms and dads across our great state.”

The key criteria for organizations to be accepted into the “Preferred Training Partners program” is a demonstrated track record of success with education and training programs and/or the ability to reach into economically- and socially- disadvantaged communities. Selections will be geographically and programmatically diverse and aim to serve entry-level, semi-skilled and skilled positions in both corridors.

Agencies and organizations that submit qualifying and selected proposals to be a “Preferred Training Partner” will be given priority for transportation-related workforce development grants; have access to technical assistance and consulting services and be provided with direct access to project contractors once selected.

” ‘The Preferred Training Partners’ program is an important step in MTA’s commitment to maximize the economic benefit of the Red and Purple Line projects,” said MTA Administrator Robert Smith. “In an effort to assist selected contractors in meeting our goal of seeing that economically- and socially-disadvantaged persons are hired for the projects, MTA will provide information on ‘Preferred Training Partners’ that can help to fill a particular ‘in demand’ skills set.”

MTA/DLLR intends to conduct three rounds of selection for the “Preferred Training Partner” status. Applications for Round 1 are due on December 15.

The Purple Line is a 16-mile light-rail line with 21 stations between Bethesda and New Carrollton. The Red Line is a 14-mile light-rail line with 19 stations between Woodlawn, Downtown Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Bayview; five of the stations in the downtown area are underground stations.

 

 

Tags: