DBE CONTRACTING UPDATE

News for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise firms and stakeholders

March 2009

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Transportation Alliance for New Solutions (TrANS)

The Transportation Alliance for New Solutions (TrANS) is a public-private model for collaboration and success in preparing the under-employed with skills needed to gain access to the road-building industry as laborers and apprentices. TrANS demonstrates how the public and private sectors can work together to address the outreach, preparation, placement and retention of women, minorities and others in skilled highway trades. This is the 10th year of the TrANS partnership program in the Southeast, South Central and most recently Northern and North Central Regions. Industry and labor organizations, community-based service providers and government join together to achieve a common goal. Among the over 24 core partners are the Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WTBA), National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC-Wis), Wisconsin Women's Council and the Wisconsin Laborers' District Council.

Community based organizations provide services to prepare people for employment as laborers in the road building industry through outreach and marketing, industry awareness, coordination and retention activities. Contractors provide full-time employment for the best laborers and help them progress into apprenticeship programs to become journey workers in the skilled highway trades. TrANS participants undergo intensive preparation that utilizes industry professionals. Topics covered include:

The TrANS staff work closely with potential employers to identify labor needs and tailor classroom instruction to prepare potential employees for job placement. After placement, TrANS continues to work with employers and employees to ensure job success and retention. This program also helps remove barriers by providing temporary assistance for child care and transportation alternatives.

TrANS has come a long way since its inception, winning grants and awards. Over 500 people have been placed in family-supporting positions as laborers. TrANS not only addresses the underutilization, preparedness and opportunity for minorities and women — it saves contractors time and money on screening and preparing potential employees. Over 75 contractors have hired TrANS graduates. This program is a perfect example of how public and private sectors can come together to help people become independent and self sufficient while providing contractors with skilled labor to fill vacant positions. TrANS has evolved from early consortium development to leadership for planning, expansion, work group management and fostering relationships and collaboration. (TrANS provider team)