Chair and CEO Lieber and Secretary Buttigieg Tour School’s Railcar Lab
Transit Tech HS Serves as Long-Standing Source for Next Generation of New York City Transit Workforce
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Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber today joined U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for a student-led tour of Transit Tech Career and Technical Education High School in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn. The tour featured a visit to the school’s Railcar Lab, which prepares students for careers in train maintenance. During the tour, Chair Lieber and Secretary Buttigieg were accompanied by Principal Marlon Bynum and other administration representatives from the school.
The MTA shares a long-standing relationship with Transit Tech, hiring many of its exceptional graduates at New York City Transit (NYCT). Over the past five years, the MTA has hired approximately 55 apprentices from the Railcar Technology program. Through a synergic partnership between the New York City Department of Education and NYCT, Transit Tech works to provide a learning environment that prepares every student to succeed academically, professionally, and personally. Programs and opportunities such as the Railcar Lab ensure future transit workers enter the workforce with the most up-to-date knowledge and skillsets.
“We take great pride in our strong relationship with Transit Tech, which is the only school in the metropolitan area that offers a State approved Transit Electrical program,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “As Secretary Buttigieg pointed out, significant federal investment in infrastructure provides a historic opportunity to deliver training for young people who will make up the 21st century workforce. The hands-on experience provided by this school since 1986 is invaluable in training the next generation of transit professionals.”
“Providing our students an inside track to fulfilling careers in transportation is a critical part of our mission,” said Tech Transit Career and Technical Education High School Principal Marlon Bynum. “We are thrilled to demonstrate to the Chair and Secretary the enthusiasm and skillsets of our talented students.”
Transit Tech’s Railcar lab houses its own subway cars provided by the MTA, enabling students to get applicable experience. Students learn the ins and outs of railcar maintenance by working directly on two R42 models. Subject matter experts from the MTA’s Operations Training Unit regularly visit the school to ensure the equipment is modern and relevant to real-world environments. The MTA also offers students internships and attends career days and advisory meetings.