The following questions and answers provide you with information on the Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Training Program. This program offers training opportunities to those interested in becoming bus maintenance technicians with Miami-Dade Transit (MDT) or heavy diesel mechanics with other employers.
How do I apply for the program?
The South Florida Work Force (SFWF), whose administrative arm is the South Florida Employment Training Consortium (SFETC), provides intake, initial screening, and referral services to enroll qualified applicants into a Technical Education Center through their One-Stop centers. For the nearest One-Stop Center, applicants may call 1-877-877-JOBS (5627). The local South Florida Work Force central number is 305-594-7615. Center locations are listed at the end of this handout.
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What qualifications do I need?
Applicants need to have a high school diploma or GED and should have interests and abilities in performing heavy mechanical work on transit buses and other heavy diesel-powered vehicles. No work experience in the mechanical field is required to qualify for the training program. A thorough background check of the applicants will be conducted, including criminal court history, driver license, past employment, and education.
South Florida Workforce One-Stop Center personnel will also screen applicants based on economic eligibility for assistance and benefits during the classroom portion of the program. Those qualifying will also be given preference to enter the on-the-job training portion of the program following successful completion of classroom instruction.
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How and why did the Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Program begin?
Resolution R-336-03, adopted April 8, 2003 by the Miami-Dade County Commission, directed the Human Resources Department, in conjunction with Miami-Dade County, to initiate a pilot apprenticeship program to fill vacancies in classifications such as Bus Maintenance Technician, that have experienced recruitment and/or retention difficulties.
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Have classes already started?
The pilot project began August 25, 2003 at the Robert Morgan Technical Education Center, 18180 SW 122 Avenue, and at Miami Lakes Technical Education Center, 5780 NW 158 Street. Additional classes have been held with more to start in the future. Other Technical Education centers may also be brought into the program.
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Will I receive benefits or pay while I attend classes?
No salary or stipend is paid while students attend the classroom portion of the program. However, through SFWF, qualified applicants may be eligible for full tuition, uniforms, books, transportation, childcare, and basic tools needed for the training program.
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How long is classroom training?
The full training program consists of nine (9) Occupational Certification Programs (OCPs) and may take from one to two years to complete. Following successful completion, students may continue the training through MDT’s apprenticeship program. The technical centers will also be available to provide continuing or additional classroom training as needed.
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Will I work on buses during classroom training?
In order to assist the technical education centers in training apprentices in bus maintenance, MDT has provided a transit bus and two engine cradles, fully equipped with engines and related hardware, to each of the School Board’s participating technical education centers. Skilled instructors help trainees to work on the buses.
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What happens when I complete classroom training?
Participants that successfully complete the initial course of study will be eligible to be considered for hire as Bus Maintenance Technician trainees with MDT.
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Are all participants who successfully complete the classroom training guaranteed jobs with MDT?
As job openings are available, those successfully completing the program’s classroom training will be screened using MDT background criteria, and those who are qualified will fill available vacancies with MDT in the on-the-job training phase of the program. Other employers will also be interested in hiring persons who have completed the program.
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Do I get paid during on-the-job training?
Yes! Participants who successfully complete all classroom training and background screenings and are hired into the on-the-job training portion of the program are full-time county employees and are paid a trainee hourly pay rate just below that of the full Bus Maintenance Technicians with Miami-Dade Transit.
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What happens when I complete on-the-job training?
After completion of the six-month on-the-job training period, successful trainees will enter probationary status in the bus maintenance technician classification. With a raise in pay, they will be assigned to work as a regular Bus Maintenance Technician.
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How can I get even more information on the program?
Depending on what type of information you are seeking, you may contact or go to the various offices involved in the Bus Maintenance Apprenticeship Program. Some useful addresses and phone numbers are provided below.
Miami-Dade Transit, Human Resources Division
701 NW 1st Court, 13 Floor
Miami, FL 33136
786-469-5229
Miami-Dade County Human Resources Department
111 NW First Street, Suite 2010
Miami, FL 33128
305-375-5725
Robert Morgan Technical Education Center
18180 SW 122 Avenue
Miami, FL 33177
305-253-9920
Miami Lakes Technical Education Center
5780 NW 158 Street
Miami, FL 33014
305-557-1100
South Florida Workforce
7300 NW 19 Street
Miami, FL 33126
305-594-7615
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South Florida Workforce One-Stop Career Centers
Miami-Dade County
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday,Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Carol City
4690 NW 183 Street
North Miami Beach
633 NE 167 Street
Hialeah Gardens
2750 W 68 Street|
Hialeah Central
5362 W 16 Avenue
Northside
7900 NW 27 Avenue
Little River/Little Haiti
7900 NE 2 Avenue
Hialeah Downtown
240 E. First Avenue
Miami Edgewater
3050 Biscayne Blvd
West Dade
2700 SW 97 Avenue
Little Havana
701 SW 27 Avenue
Miami Beach
945 Pennsylvania Avenue
Perrine
9555 SW 176 Terrace
Homestead
140 NE 8 Street
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