PennTRAIN: Master Trainer Program

Date/Time: April 8-10, 2025

• Tuesday, April 8: 9 AM to 5 PM
• Wednesday, April 9: 8 AM to 5 PM
• Thursday, April 10: 8 AM to 3:30 PM 

Description:

PennTRAIN’s Master Trainer Program is a Train-the-Trainer course that teaches best practices for training transit bus and paratransit operators.  Through a combination of self-paced study and a three-day instructor-led course incorporating hands-on training, Master Trainer Graduates will exit the program with the knowledge and skills necessary to coach their colleagues to be safe and effective bus operators.

The Master Trainer Program is exclusively designed for public transit employees whose job responsibilities include training. We recommend utilizing TAPTCO's tips on how to select a trainer.

Deadline to Register: Monday, March 17, 2025 (Class size limited to 16)

Presented by: 

• Tom Eser, Oceans Transit LLC
• Michael Noel, Noel Training & Consulting

Cost:

$199. Open to PennTRAIN members only. 

PPTA cancellation policy applies.

Lodging:  Wyndham Garden State College, 310 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg, Pennsylvania 16827

The PennTRAIN room rate is no longer available, but the hotel has a few rooms available. Please reserve your rooms at your earliest convience to stay at the Wyndham Garden State College. 

Meals: Lunch and breaks will be provided during the training. Please indicate on your registration if you have any dietary restrictions.

Attire: Casual. Because it can be a challenge to keep the meeting room at a temperature that accommodates everyone, we recommend bringing a sweater or jacket to stay comfortable.

Available Seats: 16

ADVANCE WORK

Before attending the instructor-led course, participants must complete the following training programs, which are available online.

1. PennTRAIN Transit 101 (2 hours and 15 minutes)
2. TSI’s Transit Bus Nomenclature (40 minutes)
3. TSI’s Fatigue and Sleep Apnea Awareness for Transit Employees (50 minutes)
4. TSI’s SMS Awareness (1 hour)
5. TSI’s Curbing Transit Employee Distracted Driving (30 minutes)
6. TAPTCO’s Trainer Certification Program (3 hours, 9 minutes) access provided upon registration

Instructor-Led Training: The three-day course will cover the following topics: (Exact outline is subject to change).

DAY ONE:

• Welcome, class overview, Ice Breaker
• Train The Trainer – It’s Not What You Teach, It’s What They Learn
• Play & learn
• Understanding the adult learner
• Four roles of the Trainer (Breakout Session)
• Two-minute presentations (Breakout Session)
• Communications
• Training tips for success
• Dealing with nervousness
• Training techniques for teaching a skill
• Training techniques addressing motivation & attitude
• Training methods that work
• Effective learning
• Important questions & take-a-ways

• Review of Day 1 & Icebreaker
• Review of required training, documentation, legal
• Required vs mandatory training
• Topics & lessons
• Where we teach
• Deeper into training techniques
• Stand Up & Share (In the Box)
• Practical Lessons: Who, what, where, when
• Special Situations: Emergencies, accidents, injuries
• Review of TAPTCO and other training materials
• Overview of student led presentations
• Prepping for student led presentations

• Review to this point 
• Stand Up & Train (2-member, 10-minute presentations with review)
• Developing training modules
• Developing training calendars
• Wrap up & lessons learned
• After class on-going activities
• Final thoughts from instructors & group

1. Attend at least two Master Trainer Retreats over the five-year period.  Master Trainer Retreats will be scheduled 1-2 times per year.
2. Deliver at least two workshops per year in their professional role as trainer at their agency.
3. Attend at least one instructor-led training program per year.  Alternatively, two live webinars or on-demand training programs can be substituted for one instructor-led training program.