Workforce Planning and Human Resource Development Strategies for Minnesota's Public Transportation Agencies

Status: Complete
Report Date: 03/26/2021

Summary:

With an aging workforce and a significant number of staff retirements on the horizon, Minnesota’s public transportation agencies — like other states’ agencies across the country — must attract the next generation of employees or risk service disruptions and other challenges. To improve the pool of qualified applicants and build a healthy workforce pipeline for the future, Minnesota’s public transportation agencies sought an objective evaluation of its hiring policies and workplace culture. A team of human resource experts from the University of Minnesota was chosen to investigate and analyze the agencies’ practices. The work culminated in a variety of recommendations to enhance the recruitment process and increase on-the-job satisfaction. From targeted marketing campaigns and clearer job descriptions to more opportunities for advancement, the strategies identified by the research team will help Minnesota’s transportation agencies attract and retain a younger and more diverse workforce for years to come.

Project Personnel:

Principal Investigator: Kenneth Bartlett
Co-Principal Investigator: Joshua Collins
Technical Liaison: Lyndon Robjent
Project Coordinator: Thomas Johnson-Kaiser
Panel Members:
    Amy Honer - Anoka County
    Chris Byrd - Benton County
    David Bramwell - Hennepin County
    Donna Rickeman - McLeod County
    Hannah Tjoflat - McLeod County
    Heather Madigan Clark - Human Resources
    Kent Exner - Apex Engineering Group
    Krysten S. Foster - Stonebrooke Engineering
    Marcus Culver - City of Brooklyn Park
    Mark Krebsbach - Dakota County
    Ryan Thilges - Blue Earth County
    Steve Groen - Minnehaha County Highway Department