Division of Research & Innovation
Federal Railroad Administration CRISI Award Supports Development of a Home-Grown Multidisciplinary Rail Workforce
University of Memphis secures $1.3M as part of a $6.4M Federal Railroad Administration investment to build a nationally replicable, industry-aligned rail workforce pipeline
The University of Memphis is advancing the future of America’s rail industry through
a major federal investment supporting workforce innovation. A $6.4 million project
funded through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure
and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program—via its Workforce Development Set-Aside—will
help build a sustainable, community-based rail talent pipeline. The University of
Memphis’ portion of the award totals $1.3 million. Led locally by Dr. Stephanie Ivey, professor with the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
and associate director of the Division of Transportation and Logistics with the Center
for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research, the initiative—Developing a Home-Grown
Multidisciplinary Rail Workforce—positions Memphis as a key national hub in preparing
the next generation of rail professionals.
A Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity
Major investments in passenger and freight rail infrastructure present a rare opportunity to strengthen the industry’s talent pipeline. Yet the long-term economic, environmental, and operational benefits of these investments depend on intentional workforce planning alongside system expansion. Without coordinated action, rail employers and local communities’ risk persistent skills gaps, limited hiring pools, and missed opportunities for sustainable growth.
This project directly addresses that challenge.
A National Partnership with Local Impact
The University of Memphis is partnering with Montana State University and California State University, Long Beach to implement a collaborative, research-driven approach to workforce development. Together, the three universities serve as regional transportation workforce centers working in close coordination with rail industry leaders.
Guided by industry advisors, the initiative aligns education, training, and outreach with the real-world needs of rail operators, suppliers, and public agencies. Each university is applying a consistent research methodology using a “bottom-up,” local-to-national model that builds sustainable talent pipelines rooted in surrounding communities.
The goal is clear: ensure that the jobs, innovation, and economic value created by rail investments are filled by a skilled workforce prepared to meet today’s and tomorrow’s industry demands.
Convening the Rail Ecosystem
Each institution is establishing regional, multi-sector rail working groups to guide implementation. These working groups bring together representatives from across the rail ecosystem, including:
- Freight and passenger rail operators
- Class I, II, and III railroads
- Intercity passenger carriers
- Rail suppliers and industry partners
- Education and workforce development stakeholders
For industry partners, the project offers a direct opportunity to shape workforce strategy, reduce long-term recruitment challenges, and ensure training aligns with operational realities.
Expanding National Impact
Lessons learned, tools, and research products from the project will be shared nationally through the National Network for the Transportation Workforce, amplifying impact beyond the initial regions and creating a replicable framework for rail workforce development across the country.
By aligning research, industry engagement, and workforce strategy, the University of Memphis and its partners are helping build a resilient, skilled rail workforce ready to support continued growth and innovation—locally and nationwide.
For more information on this award and/or project, contact Ivey at ssalyers@memphis.edu.