The California Transit Training Consortium (CTTC) has announced key leadership appointments and an expanded workforce development strategy designed to strengthen academic partnerships, broaden technical training opportunities, and support the evolving needs of California’s public transit industry, as reported in a press release.
Since unveiling its refreshed brand identity in 2024, CTTC has grown its statewide presence and now serves 42 public transit agencies across California. Building upon more than two decades of workforce development leadership, the organization is expanding beyond its historical emphasis on zero-emission technologies to provide a more comprehensive portfolio of technical and professional development programs. The expanded training strategy includes specialized learning pathways in high-voltage systems, multiplexing systems, low-voltage electrical diagnostics, vehicle communications networks, advanced bus systems, and emerging transportation technologies. As part of this initiative, CTTC recently opened registration for new high-voltage training classes through its member learning portal, providing transit professionals with expanded access to industry-leading technical education.
“The future of public transportation depends on the strength of its workforce,” said Norman Tuitavuki, Chairperson of the CTTC Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer of Monterey-Salinas Transit. “Over the past two decades, CTTC has grown from a regional training consortium into a statewide workforce development leader serving 42 transit agencies across California. Our vision is to create the nation’s most comprehensive transit learning network by connecting transit agencies, colleges, universities, and industry partners to deliver the skills and knowledge required for the next generation of transportation professionals.”
To support this next phase of growth, CTTC has appointed Jannet Malig as President, Rolando Cruz as Chief Financial Officer, and Nicole Sherman as Training Coordinator. Malig brings more than 20 years of experience leading workforce development, advanced transportation, and clean energy initiatives throughout California’s community college system. She currently serves as Sector Navigator for Advanced Transportation and Logistics at Cerritos College, Director of Workforce Training Associates, and Co-Director of Long Beach Clean Cities and Communities. As President, Malig will lead CTTC’s efforts to expand academic partnerships, strengthen collaboration between educational institutions and transit agencies, and support the development of new technical curricula aligned with workforce demands.
Nicole Sherman joins CTTC as Training Coordinator, bringing more than 20 years of experience managing workforce development and career education initiatives. She will oversee training coordination, curriculum delivery, learner engagement, registration, and program administration. Rolando Cruz returns as Chief Financial Officer, bringing more than three decades of transportation leadership experience. Prior to his retirement in 2023, Cruz served as Chief Transportation Officer for the City of Culver City and previously held executive leadership positions with both Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus and Long Beach Transit. Long Beach Transit is widely recognized as the founding agency of the consortium, where James A. Ditch helped establish what would become CTTC more than 20 years ago.
CTTC also announced the appointment of Mark Hollenbeck as Membership and Marketing Committee Chair. Hollenbeck also currently serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Board. “CTTC’s continued growth reflects the value our members place on collaboration, innovation, and workforce development,” said Hollenbeck. “As we expand our membership and deepen relationships with transit agencies, educational institutions, and industry partners, we have an opportunity to build an even stronger statewide network.”
Together, these appointments represent CTTC’s commitment to building a stronger workforce development ecosystem that connects public transit, higher education, and private industry. The leadership team will guide the organization as it expands technical learning pathways, increases educational partnerships, and develops innovative training opportunities that support California’s evolving transportation workforce. The implications for the industry are significant: as transit systems become more technologically complex, a well-trained workforce is essential for operational efficiency, safety, and the adoption of zero-emission and advanced technologies. For readers, this means improved public transit reliability and sustainability, while for the industry, it sets a precedent for collaborative workforce development that could serve as a model nationwide.
