SWUTC Research Project Description
Title of Project: Procedures for the Implementation of a Transportation Scholars Program
Project Number: 167342 (Continuation of 167922 funded 9/1/02)
Principal Investigator:
Khosro Godazi
(713) 313-7925
P.I. Affiliation: Texas Southern University
Project Monitor:
Kenny Ozuna
Texas Department of Transportation
(713) 802-5435
Project Status: Active
Date Started: 9/1/02
Estimation Completion Date: 8/31/04
Estimated Cost - Current Fiscal (9/1/03-8/31/04): $43,700
Estimated Cost – Previous Fiscal (9/1/02-8/31/03): $65,000
Estimated Cost - Total Planned: $108,700
Project Summary:
Project Abstract:
As the "baby boom" generation nears retirement age, many industries anticipate the loss of technical experiences that accompanies a significant employee turnover. In an attempt to avoid crippling employee shortages the Department of Transportation implemented minority recruitment programs, like the Garrett A. Morgan and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Minority Fellowships, in an attempt to encourage school age children to consider transportation as a career choice.
The challenges facing public transportation, for example, involve the perception that they merely drive buses, and that state departments of transportation merely build roads. There is a myriad of career paths necessary for transportation operating agencies to be successful. However, in order to attract and retain the qualified employees in a competitive environment transportation operating agencies must implement new strategies to compete and be considered an "employer of choice."
With the anticipated labor shortages expected throughout our country, employees are now in the driver's seat. They are making choices about where, when, and how they will work. Without good people, employers cannot manufacture products or serve their customers. Thus, it just makes sense for organizations to want to identify qualified young people as they begin their educational careers.
This research has two goals. The first is the evaluation of military ROTC programs in Texas. The findings from this evaluation will be used as a basis/model for the scholarship program. The second goal is the development of a database that identifies participants from the various Transportation Summer Institutes operating throughout Texas and track their matriculation through high school and into college. The end objective is to offer these outstanding students scholarships after they attain 60 semester hours. In return these students become obligated to work for that agency for a set number of years.
The results of this study can be used by those agencies anticipating a significant turnover in their workforce in the next 10 years. The procedures manual will identify strategies for scholarship development as well as developing a mechanism for tracking students participating in various Transportation Summer Institutes throughout Texas.
Project Objectives:
This research has two goals. The first is the evaluation of military ROTC programs in Texas. The findings from this evaluation will be used as a basis for the scholarship program. The second goal is the development of a database that identifies participants from the various Transportation Summer Institutes operating throughout Texas and track their matriculation through high school and into college. The end objective is to offer these outstanding students scholarships after they attain 60 semester hours. In return these students become obligated to work for that agency for a set number of years.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1
Literature Review: Identify relevant scholarship programs, specifically those where the student has some type of work-commitment after graduation. There will also be an emphasis on determining the contractual relationship between the student and the sponsoring agency.
Task 2
Identify military ROTC programs. This task identifies the various military ROTC scholarship programs in Texas and evaluates the marketing strategies, contractual obligations, and graduation drop-out rates.
Task 3
Development of database: The database serves as the primary mechanism for the identification of high school students who have already expressed interest in transportation careers. The initial names for the database comes from prior participants in the summer transportation institutes in Texas and will include the following information: name, age, grade-point-average, primary and secondary addresses, current high school, anticipated graduation date, and transportation field of interests.
Task 4
Development of Procedures: Based on the findings from Tasks 1-4, this task consists of establishing “Steps to Implementation” and the “Implementation Plan.”
Task 5
Complete Draft and Final Reports: A review of the preliminary draft report for sufficient content, depth and substance, as well as adherence to SWUTC guidelines for research projects. Evaluate the potential for establishing a one-year pilot scholarship program with a transportation operating agency.
Index Terms:
Employment, Financial Responsibility, Transportation Careers, Databases, Education, Students, Financing, Labor Force, Strategic Planning, Database Management Systems, High Schools, Universities and Colleges, Employees, Employers