New Jersey Transit Launches eLearning Training Center

NJ Transit launched their new eLearning Training Center in October 2009, at their Meadows Maintenance Complex with an official dedication by Richard Sarles, NJ Transit's Executive Director at the time. This new eLearning Training Center is a facility that is dedicated to online learning for NJ Transit's rail maintenance staff to improve equipment reliability and performance. The eLearning Center is a newly renovated, purpose-built room that features 22" monitors, headphones, and work stations for up to four students simultaneously. The impressive quality of the room and its equipment demonstrates NJ Transit's commitment to learning and provides training that is available to all maintenance staff on demand.

Bombardier's Technology Solutions team provided the turn-key learning solution with a fully hosted Learning Management System (LMS) and all eLearning course design and content. The courses were designed to improve the reliability and up-time of electric locomotives supplied by ABB and new MultiLevel passenger cars built by Bombardier. Course topics include "An Introduction to Electrical Systems", "Wheel Inspections", "Introduction to Schematic Reading", among others.

According to Paul Carey, Product Manager of Bombardier's Technology Solutions team, "eLearning is helping to transform employee development at NJ Transit with fully interactive and immersive content, a flexible training platform that is accessible 24/7, and an LMS that automates training documentation and regulatory compliance."

As part of the eLearning program, NJ Transit and Bombardier worked with a pilot group of students at the Meadows Maintenance Complex. The response from all staff and Union leadership has been tremendous with survey results indicating that students are comfortable with the technology and support additional investments in eLearning.