NASHVILLE – WeGo Public Transit held a signing event today for the newest members of the WeGo Mechanic Apprenticeship Program, which combines training with a full-time salary and benefits, including health insurance. They were joined at the ceremony by administrators from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and WeGo leadership.

“These apprentice mechanics will be on the front lines of expanding transit in Nashville with Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move program,” WeGo CEO Steve Bland said. “Our mechanic apprentice program is an essential element in support of increased bus service.”

The goal of the apprentice program is to advance people into a starting mechanic position at WeGo, offering better pay and room for further advancement. It’s a hands-on program taught in the WeGo maintenance facilities with participants working on active fleet buses. WeGo recruits a new mechanic apprentice class once a year. To join, applicants must be 18 or older, submit a resume, pass a mechanical aptitude test, and complete an interview process. Applicants for the next class can get started April 1 by signing-up on the WeGo Talent Community page at WeGoTransit.com.

The WeGo Mechanic Apprenticeship program is one of only 34 recognized transit agency apprenticeship programs in the nation, as reported by the Transit Workforce Center in Washington, D.C. The program is a joint effort of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235, Davidson Transit Organization/WeGo Public Transit and organized with guidelines from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Photo Details:

Mechanic Apprentice signees, left to right, seated: Brandin Davis, Clarksville; Christopher Ramirez, Gallatin; John Rocha, Mt. Juliet; Asher Weekley, Clarksville; Joshua Salcido, Portland; Nicholas Pennington, Gallatin.

Joined by special guests from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development: Deputy Commissioner, Dewayne Scott; Shalondria Shaw, State Director - Office of Apprenticeship; Brandon Phinx, Deputy Director, Office of Apprenticeship; Steffany S. Daniel, Quality Assurance Director, Office of Apprenticeship; and Nestor Reyes, Business and Workforce Director.