The Connecticut Transportation Leadership Program
Program Objective
Successful transportation agencies don’t just have great employees, they also have great leaders. The Connecticut Training and Technical Assistance Center, in response to requests from local agencies in Connecticut, is offering this opportunity for comprehensive leadership training.
Structure of the Program
Nine trainings will be offered over the course of two years. You can complete the program in as little as two years (or longer if needed because the program will be repeated every two years). Seven required trainings and two elective trainings will be needed to complete the program.
Who May Apply?
The Transportation Leadership Program is open to current and future leaders of municipal and state transportation agencies. Directors of Public Works, Town Engineers, Highway Superintendents, Road Foremen and Crew Leaders are encouraged to attend.
An application must be submitted and approved. A letter of recommendation from the individual’s supervisor must be included with the application, and the application must include a response to an essay question on the individual’s goals for participation in the program.
Leadership Program Overview and Application
Required Trainings (Cohort kickoff, all six modules and two electives are required for completion)
Cohort Kickoff
- DiSC Assessment
- Program Orientation and Goal Setting
Module One
- Team Dynamics
- Effective Communication
- Giving Feedback
Module Two
- DiSC Catalyst as a Management Tool
- Developing Team Strengths
Module Three
- Public Speaking Skills
- Presentation Development Tips
Module Four
- Dealing with Difficult People
- Conflict Management
Module Five
- Coaching for Success
- Team Development
- Critical Thinking Skills
Module Six
- Workforce Development
- Succession Planning
Elective Trainings (Two Elective trainings will be required - here is a sample of electives that may be offered in the program)
- Ethical Decision Making
- Workload Management
- Grant Writing
- Public Relations/Promoting the Value of your Agency
- Project Management
- Developing Standard Operating Procedures for you Agency
- Roundtable Discussions on timely leadership topics
*Classes are $125 per participant for state and municipal employees, unless otherwise noted.
Pay It Forward Project - Each participant must complete a project in support of the CT Public Works Community. The project will be approved by Center staff and reviewed for completion and quality. Once the project work is successfully completed, a presentation must be made to the cohort on the results and experience.
Sample Project Ideas
- Development of Tailgate Talks to support operational safety practices.
- Creation of an on-demand video highlighting a best practice or new technology.
- Development of resources that can be used to streamline typical operations.
- Author a technical article to be shared in a newsletter/publication.
- Creation of outreach materials to promote public works as an exciting career opportunity.
- Visit a school to give a presentation to students on public works careers.
- Creation of educational materials for residents on operational/safety topics.
- Participate on an instructor team for a T2 or CTDOT training or present as a speaker at a conference educational session.
Project Presentation Days (attendance at all cohort presentation days is required)
- Group Presentations from TLP Cohort Members.
Where will trainings be held?
Trainings will be held at different locations throughout Connecticut. Members of the Leadership Program will be offered opportunities to host sessions in their towns.
Additional expectations of Leadership Program participants:
- Self-Assessment exercises completed in preparation for trainings
- Participants will complete a final project (including a ten-minute presentation given to their cohort colleagues)
- Readings will be assigned in preparation for tranings
How will the Training and Technical Assistance Center support this learning community?
- Providing high quality training
- Developing interactive curriculum to ensure experiential learning
- Supporting cohort members in Capstone Project efforts
- Providing leadership resources, including the monthly Leadership Lessons electronic newsletter
Additional Program Information:
Information on the schedule for the training modules will be provided to each class as early as possible so you can plan your schedules, accordingly. Your active participation in each of the training modules will be an important part of this valuable learning experience.
Acceptance to the program does not commit you or your agency to any financial commitment, registrations will be processed for each individual training (just like our other professional development programs). The approximate cost for each training will be $125.