Millennials in the Transportation Workforce

Abstract

Generational differences in the United States are of increasing concern to human resource professionals as they prepare to manage the rapid demographic shifts expected in the transportation workforce. As baby boomers retire and millennials increase their share of the workforce, transportation agencies are seeking better understanding of the workplace attributes that will be most successful in attracting and retaining millennials. This paper contextualizes challenges faced by state departments of transportation within the current research literature on generational differences to identify mutual concerns in addition to successful strategies that state agencies can employ to attract and retain young staff. A literature review was conducted in conjunction with focus group discussions. Six staff from human resource departments representing five state departments of transportation (Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin) participated. The study found that state departments of transportation offer many attributes attractive to the younger generation: job security, opportunities for personal and professional development, flexible schedules, and vacation and work expectations that allow for work–life balance. Shared issues of concern included the use of technology and social media, mentorship capacity, attrition, and public image. The authors identified a number of opportunities for collaboration among state departments of transportation to share information and leverage resources to meet collective challenges.