The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) up to $8,800,000 in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant money for a Engineering Track Foremen Workforce Development Apprenticeship Training Program in Pennsylvania. The grant ensures BMWED represented members remain skilled, educated and safety conscious in the execution of their duties allowing Amtrak’s system to remain in a state of good repair.

The proposed project involves a pilot engineering Track Foremen/Inspectors workforce development apprenticeship training program that will further develop and enhance the existing program and increase the overall knowledge base required to safely supervise field operations. This project improves Amtrak’s ability to meet existing and anticipated workforce demand because it will help employees obtain full Track Foremen/Inspectors certification through providing comprehensive training. The program will also allow for upward mobility for Amtrak’s employees. The project addresses one of President Biden’s key Administration priorities of workforce development. Amtrak is providing a 20 percent non-Federal match.

In December of 2022 BMWED United Passenger Rail Federation General Chairperson, Anthony Sessa sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, urging the department to consider granting CRISI funds to establish a Track Foremen/Track Inspectors Apprenticeship Program. General Chairperson Sessa pledged to assist Amtrak in ensuring the successful implementation. “This CRISI grant will be vitally important to the successful implementation of the Track Foremen/Track Inspectors Apprenticeship Program.  With the implementation of the Track Foremen/Track Inspectors Apprenticeship Program, I believe it will allow Amtrak to continue to maintain a highly skilled, qualified and safety conscious workforce. In sum, this CRISI grant will provide the necessary assistance to ensure that safe and reliable passenger service is maintained throughout Amtrak’s network for years to come.”