VIA Rail Canada, Transdev North America using apprenticeship programs to further transit development

VIA Rail Canada has launched a new apprenticeship program while Transdev North America’s Maintenance Apprenticeship Program has been in effect since 2022. 

VIA Rail Canada 

VIA Rail Canada has launched its Locomotive Engineer Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) in Northern Manitoba, Ontario. The agency says the program ensures it has a highly skilled workforce ready to support the future of passenger rail in Canada and keep communities connected. 

The LEAP program is 24 months of paid training and is designed to attract a diverse group of candidates, including those in mid-career transitions, career changers and individuals looking for long-term, stable employment in the transportation industry. 

The LEAP program offers: 

• 24-month paid apprenticeship: Selected candidates will earn while they learn. 
• Job security and stability: Graduates of the program will have the opportunity to build a long-term career with VIA Rail Canada. 
• Training in Northern Manitoba: Apprentices will be based in Thompson, Ontario, with on-the-job training in The Pas and Gillam.  

To help potential applicants understand the program, VIA Rail Canada will be hosting in-person awareness sessions in Winnipeg and Thompson, Manitoba. The agency says the sessions will provide insights into the training process, career opportunities and the role of locomotive engineers at VIA Rail Canada. Agency representatives will be available to answer questions and guide interested applicants through the application process. 

Applications for the September 2025 cohort opened March 3, 2025. The application period will remain open until April 4, 2025. 

More information about the program, eligibility criteria and the application process can be found at VIA Rail Canada’s website.  

Transdev North America 

Transdev launched its Maintenance Apprenticeship Program in 2022. Transdev says at the time of launch it was the first program in Virginia to partner with the Department of Labor and the International Transit Learning Center, training young adults as certified automotive service excellence (ASE) technicians and maintenance workers. 

Transdev notes apprentices follow a structured one-year program that combines four days of hands-on mentorship and one day of classroom training each week. Apprentices shadow their mentors, working on buses and learning the ins and outs of transit maintenance. They follow their mentors’ shifts—whether early or late, which Transdev says gets them used to the environment of a transit agency. Classroom sessions cover ASE test prep, technical skills and professional development, with apprentices provided tools and curriculum to support their growth. 

In addition to technical expertise, Transdev notes the program helps apprentices develop communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Through partnerships with local unions, apprentices gain access to union benefits after 90 days of employment. Throughout the duration of the program, Transdev trains the apprentices in the skills necessary to pass a series of tests to become a certified ASE C-level maintenance technician. After they successfully complete the apprenticeship program and are ASE-certified, they transition to C-level maintenance technicians with Transdev and receive a wage increase. 

According to Transdev, the program has become essential to Fairfax Connector’s operations, alleviating the workload of the maintenance team. Transdev says the program has recently expanded its candidate selection process to focus on committed individuals who are dedicated to building a career in transit.