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Today, U.S. Department of Labor and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor plan to certify a rail-car maintenance apprenticeship program for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) — the first Pennsylvania transit agency to receive such federal and state certification.

SEPTA’s Paul Mower Railroad Car Maintenance Apprenticeship Program is a two-year program designed to help workers keep up to date with the latest transit technologies. The apprenticeship provides entry-level employees the opportunity to obtain skilled positions within the authority’s rail-car maintenance departments.

Apprentices receive both classroom and on-the-job training in areas such as heavy repair, air brake qualifications, and daily and scheduled inspections.

Named after the program’s first training coordinator and administrator, the apprenticeship began in 1994 through an agreement between SEPTA and Transport Workers Union Local 2013. So far, 22 SEPTA employees have graduated from the program, with three expected to graduate today.