A new bus maintenance apprenticeship program will expand training and career opportunities for skilled mechanics in Maryland.
The Maryland Transit Administration is collaborating with the Community College of Baltimore County to launch the three-year, full-time program.
Interested individuals have until Aug. 30 to apply. Ten applicants will be selected to participate. Those selected candidates will be notified by Sept. 16. The program will begin in mid-October.
The inaugural class will graduate from the program in 2027.
“Our Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship program will increase MTA’s skilled workforce and create quality, accessible jobs right here in Baltimore,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold in a statement. “By combining practical training with classroom instruction, this program will be a direct pathway to a fulfilling career in transit.”
Applicants must be at least 18 years old; have earned a high school diploma or GED equivalency; hold a Class C driver’s license and be able to earn a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL); and have one year of mechanical theory background from an accredited technical or vocational program.
Apprentices will receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training for skills including truck orientation, shop safety, tools and equipment, brakes, steering and suspension, engine mechanics, and preventive maintenance.
The starting salary for apprentices in the program will be $18.72 per hour ($38,937.60 annually).
The program was developed in partnership with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1300 and approved by the Maryland Department of Labor.
“We are proud to partner with the Maryland Transit Administration and the Community College of Baltimore County,” said ATU President Mike McMillan in a statement. “Investing in worker training and education is always a smart decision, and this is one that promises a long-lasting impact.”
