CITT News

CITT Director of Research and Workforce Development Tyler Reeb and CITT Research Associate Stacey Park have recently completed their research project titled, “Trade and Transportation Talent Pipeline Blueprints: Building University-Industry Talent Pipelines in Colleges of Continuing and Professional Education.” This project, funded by California Senate Bill 1 through the California State University Transportation Consortium, identifies the steps that are required to build programming that targets in-demand trade and transportation occupations requiring specific degrees, certificates, and non-credit professional development.  

A talent pipeline differs from a more traditional educational model because it asks employers to play a more central role in addressing skills gaps and other critical workforce development needs in developing partnerships with postsecondary education and training providers. “A traditional hiring model operates with educational institutions and employers often working independently, which can often make it difficult for educators to understand how to train students for the current working landscape and for employers to voice the in-demand knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that they are looking for,” said Reeb. “The development of talent pipelines will help put the S and A back in KSAs.”  

“At the end of the day, talent pipeline models can be seen as a method for developing hirable talent, right out of the ‘education’ gate,” said Park. “Instead of hoping for the right candidate to walk through the door, employers play a pivotal and active part in a student’s journey in becoming a desirable job candidate.”  

To validate the working talent pipeline models presented in this project, Reeb and Park proposed a “proof-of-concept” pilot program for CSULB engineering students to gain KSAs for occupations related to Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). In partnership with the CSULB College of Engineering and Gannett Fleming, a global engineering firm, CITT researchers will facilitate an ITS talent pipeline program that will culminate in a paid summer internship at Gannet Fleming this year.  

As part of continual efforts to develop talent pipeline programming at CSULB, Reeb and Dr. Barbara Taylor, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, have received additional SB-1 funding to develop a “Research and Development Gateway.” This project aims to support and mentor undergraduate and graduate CSULB students by empowering them through professional development and meaningful research opportunities. By championing broader goals that support the CSULB Beach 2030 strategic planning process, this project will establish new partnerships with numerous industries to bring research and workforce development opportunities to students and faculty across every CSULB college.  

“The Research and Development Gateway initiative addresses the need for more industry-facing university infrastructure and systems to catalyze a new era of research and workforce development at CSULB,” Reeb said, noting that the final report for the project would provide recommendations for a scalable model for all 23 campuses in the CSU System. 

Click here to read the full published report.