Details:

Alternative Title:
Climate Adaptation Training Needs and Opportunities Survey Dataset [Dataset title]
Creators:
Dowds, Jonathan ; McRae, Glenn
Dowds, Jonathan ; McRae, Glenn Less -
Corporate Creators:
University of Vermont. Transportation Research Center
Corporate Contributors:
United States. Department of Transportation. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Climate Climate Adaptation Extreme Weather Labor Force Training Transportation Weather Conditions Workforce Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.s7h44j15k
Resource Type:
Dataset
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Corporate Publisher:
National Center for Transportation Research ; University of Vermont. Transportation Research Center
National Center for Transportation Research ; University of Vermont. Transportation Research Center Less -
Abstract:
Climate adaptation is now a well-documented need in the transportation sector and there are strong conceptual frameworks for the adaptation process. Since climate adaptation is an emerging field, the pathways for developing the skills and competencies for adaptation careers are not well-established. This white paper assesses the workforce development needs and current training opportunities related to transportation-sector climate adaptation. To do so, training needs were examined and opportunities identified by state and regional transportation agencies; training needs of aspiring and early-career climate adaptation professionals were catalogued; and a scan was completed of the educational opportunities in climate adaptation currently offered by U.S. universities. There is evidence of convergence on the areas of content knowledge, technical expertise, and soft skills that form the core competencies necessary to support climate adaptation within the transportation sector. These core competencies are in climate science, adaptation strategies, communication, and selection of adaptation measures/decision-making under uncertainty. While these competencies need to be broadly distributed throughout transportation agencies, the relative emphasis placed on each competency will vary across agency functions and job responsibilities. The increased value placed on adaptation-related expertise by state departments of transportation and regional transportation agencies, as well as the emergence of new educational and training opportunities in climate adaptation available in higher education and professional organizations, is indicative of the potential for rapid growth in this area.Climate adaptation is now a well-documented need in the transportation sector and there are strong conceptual frameworks for the adaptation process. Since climate adaptation is an emerging field, the pathways for developing the skills and competencies for adaptation careers are not well-established. This white paper assesses the workforce development needs and current training opportunities related to transportation-sector climate adaptation. To do so, training needs were examined and opportunities identified by state and regional transportation agencies; training needs of aspiring and early-career climate adaptation professionals were catalogued; and a scan was completed of the educational opportunities in climate adaptation currently offered by U.S. universities. There is evidence of convergence on the areas of content knowledge, technical expertise, and soft skills that form the core competencies necessary to support climate adaptation within the transportation sector. These core competencies are in climate science, adaptation strategies, communication, and selection of adaptation measures/decision-making under uncertainty. While these competencies need to be broadly distributed throughout transportation agencies, the relative emphasis placed on each competency will vary across agency functions and job responsibilities. The increased value placed on adaptation-related expertise by state departments of transportation and regional transportation agencies, as well as the emergence of new educational and training opportunities in climate adaptation available in higher education and professional organizations, is indicative of the potential for rapid growth in this area.
Format:
ZIP
Collection(s):
Transportation and Climate Change Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:87d7d472268a500174a535dc1c0067fd75c27338a1e5aa5a762aad3e6e20493c
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/57016/dot_57016_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• Workforce Development Needs of Transportation Sector

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