Many transportation agencies are experiencing difficulty in attracting and retaining capable employees. Competition with other industries and fields, as well as current economic and demographic trends, is making it difficult to sustain an adequate and competent workforce. A growing number of employees are becoming eligible for retirement, and constraints on public sector financing limit the ability of transportation agencies to match salary and benefit levels of the private sector. Furthermore, advances in technology and increased emphasis on areas such as the environment, public outreach, and social equity require new skill sets to achieve agency objectives. These challenges are being experienced at all levels and disciplines throughout the organization. Without a skilled workforce, all aspects of an
agency’s transportation program are at risk.
There are studies that document methods for recruiting and retaining employees, but few have conducted an in-depth review of the results or provided guidance for implementation of the best practices. This research addresses a need to fill that gap and complement other ongoing efforts.