In partnership with Amtrak, the Delaware Department of Transportation was awarded $11 million to fund a new “Railroading 101” pre-employment course.
The training course is funded by a U.S. Department of Labor grant.
Federally owned Amtrak is a major employer in Delaware with administrative, dispatching, maintenance and railcar refurbishment activities in New Castle County.
“This grant is an example of the commitment of the Department of Labor to empower workers and job seekers,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner. “Amtrak will use these resources as we work with our Delaware partners to better equip workers for railroad careers and grow our service.”
Delaware Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majesk stated, “DelDOT and Amtrak continue to work collaboratively on projects such as the new Claymont Train Station that will open in late 2023, and this grant allows Amtrak to continue to invest in the workforce and ensure Delawareans have the skills needed to fill critical roles locally throughout their organization in the years ahead.”
Amtrak and DelDOT will help workers develop various railroad-related skills to pursue well-paid, meaningful jobs that contribute to the success of America’s infrastructure and transportation sectors in the future.
Railroading 101’s goals
- Improve job opportunities in Delaware
- Build a more diverse railroad workforce
- Enrich the lives of its participants by providing the tools needed for successful railroad careers
“One of the goals of SMART Mechanical Department is to help serve and better the communities we live and work in,” said John McCloskey, general chairperson, Sheet Metal Air Rail Transportation Union. “This made supporting the grassroots ‘Railroading 101’ program funded through a federal grant to the State of Delaware a no-brainer.”
“As a former Secretary of Labor for Delaware and the co-founder of the bipartisan Future of Work Caucus in Congress, investing in our workforce has always been at the forefront of my work, especially as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware. “I’m thrilled about today’s $11 million grant announcement for Amtrak and DelDOT to develop ‘Railroading 101,’ a pre-employment training program to prepare participants for future jobs in the railroad industry.”
More than 2,500 new employees joined Amtrak this year. For recent graduates to experienced professionals, there are many career opportunities at Amtrak. Amtrak offers well-paid, rewarding jobs, along with hiring bonuses and relocation packages for select critical roles.
