Training & Education Fund

The Trustees of the Railroad Training and Education Fund encourage you to take advantage of training opportunities whenever they arise. Training is conducted through your signatory employer. In recognition of your initiative and dedication of the completion of the training offered, the Fund will compensate a bargaining unit employee for on half-day or full day of training received. Union members, contractors, and project owners all benefit from a trained, safety-conscious workforce.

In-House Training

 Training that is conducted or provided by an employer’s staff is considered in-house training. We know our contractors and their safety programs strive to remain on the edge of innovative and attention-capturing training. To aid in expenses associated with conducting training, the Fund provides a training allowance to each RTOA contractor for each bargaining unit employee that successfully completes and passes in-house training. Trainees receive a stipend from the training fund for taking part in the training class.

Industry Specialized Equipment Training

The Railroad Training and Education Fund acknowledges the need for rail contractors to ensure their crew is well-versed on the operation of industry specialized equipment. The Fund provides reimbursement of certain expenses for employees who receive industry specialized equipment training.

Owner Required Training

Owner required training is training that is required by a project owner or the customer. The Fund will reimburse an employer an allocated amount for each employee who receives project owner required training that is conducted by an outside vendor.

Online Training

An online training center is provided for the exclusive use of signatory RTOA Contractors and NRC member companies. The Road Worker Protection Training Course is provided free to RTOA Contractors and is available online.

Track Work Training

The Fund has a contract with John Zuspan, Track Guy Consultants, to provide training on an as needed basis. Please contact the training fund to receive information about the courses provided or visit his website www.trackguy.com.