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UMass Amherst and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) have announced the creation of an exchange program between UMass students and MassDOT employees, in which students will be eligible for hands-on learning with MassDOT, while MassDOT employees will be able to learn and research on-campus at UMass Amherst.

“As we envision the future of transportation in Massachusetts, a strong workforce is key,” says Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We’re excited to establish the Exchange Program with UMass Amherst, creating a pipeline of young people interested in public service, while allowing our current employees to hone their skills and keep up with the latest developments in transportation research.”

“As the flagship campus of the Commonwealth it is our mission to partner with the state on the important issues facing Massachusetts, and combining the talent of our research faculty and students with the vital work of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is a strong example that our mission is alive and well,” says UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes.  “We are excited to lock arms with Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and her team to upskill our transportation workforce while at the same providing our students with experiential learning opportunities.”

Building off the longstanding relationship between MassDOT and UMass Amherst, the program will allow MassDOT staff to learn about cutting edge practices on the UMass Amherst campus, while UMass students will have opportunities to learn from subject matter experts in state government. Selected staff will participate in a UMass Amherst class, along with opportunities for research with the UMass Transportation Center, while selected students will spend time working at MassDOT facilities.

The application process will open each year on Nov. 1, with applications due at the end of November, and the exchange beginning in January.