SDMTS and the Clean Technology Training Trust Announce Strategic Partnership to Launch a National Registered Apprenticeship Program

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (SDMTS) and the Clean Technology Training Trust (the Trust) announced a strategic partnership to co-design and launch a nationally registered apprenticeship program that strengthens and modernizes the transit workforce while creating scalable, industry-aligned talent pipelines. 

This collaboration builds on SDMTS’s existing state-registered apprenticeship model and reflects a shared commitment to innovation, continuous improvement, and employer-driven workforce solutions. Together, SDMTS and the Trust are advancing a customized apprenticeship framework that supports incumbent worker upskilling, career advancement, and the attraction and recruitment of new talent into high-demand transit careers. 

“SDMTS has demonstrated leadership by investing in its workforce and continuously adapting to the evolving needs of modern transit systems,” said Dr. Kimberly Moore, National Executive Director of the Clean Technology Training Trust. “This partnership reflects a co-authoring approach—where the employer voice leads program design—ensuring the apprenticeship model is practical, scalable, and aligned with real-world operations.” 

“Employers must be at the center of workforce solutions if we want real, lasting impact,” said IVP Dave Reaves, Chair of the Board for the Clean Technology Training Trust. “This partnership with SDMTS exemplifies what is possible when industry leadership, innovation, and apprenticeship come together to create pathways that serve both incumbent workers and the next generation of talent.” 

The nationally registered apprenticeship program will be designed to: 

• Enhance and expand SDMTS’s existing workforce development efforts 

• Support incumbent workers through advanced training and career mobility pathways 

• Create clear on ramps for new employees entering transit and skilled technical careers 

• Align training with emerging technologies, including advanced diagnostics and zero-emission systems 

• Serve as a scalable model for transit agencies nationwide 

SDMTS’s role as a co-author and design partner ensures the program reflects the operational realities of transit systems while remaining flexible enough to adapt across regions and agencies. 

“This partnership allows us to build on the strong foundation we already have while positioning SDMTS as a leader in shaping the future of the transit workforce,” said Michael Wygant, Chief Operating Officer - Transit Service, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. “By collaborating with the Trust, we are enhancing our ability to recruit, retain, and advance skilled employees while contributing to a national model that can benefit the entire industry.” 

The partnership underscores the importance of customized, industry-led solutions in addressing workforce challenges. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the apprenticeship framework will be tailored to SDMTS’s operational needs while offering a replicable blueprint for other employers seeking to modernize their talent pipelines. 

In addition to supporting workforce readiness, the nationally registered apprenticeship program will strengthen SDMTS’s ability to attract new talent, reinforce career pathways for current employees, and ensure a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting safe, reliable, and innovative transit services. 

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System | https://www.sdmts.com/

Clean Technology Training Trust | https://cleantechnologytrainingtrust.org/