OCTA and Saddleback College have partnered to launch a free training course for people interested in careers as bus drivers.
The 40-hour class is spread over eight weeks and will help eligible participants develop the skills needed for a potential career in public transit. The first class began March 19.
Made possible by a $100,000 grant to Saddleback College from the Orange County Community Foundation, the course is designed to create a pipeline of trained candidates interested in careers as bus drivers and, eventually, the potential for transit management jobs with OCTA and other transportation agencies.
“Qualified coach operators are in high demand and the people who drive our buses provide the highest level of service in our community, helping people safely and efficiently get to school, jobs, medical appointments and elsewhere throughout Orange County,” said OCTA CEO Darrell E. Johnson. “I hope that eligible candidates will explore the course and find out what a fulfilling career they can have in public transportation.”
Participants who complete the 40 hours of training are guaranteed an interview to become an OCTA bus driver. To be eligible for the course, participants must be at least 21 years old, have one year of customer-service-related experience and have had a valid U.S. driver’s license for at least three years. They do not need to be enrolled at Saddleback College. Learn more here.