As Skyline prepares to enter its next phase with Segment 2 coming online in October 2025, the need for skilled, local talent continues to grow. Hitachi Rail is taking a fresh approach in Honolulu – working with schools, colleges, and community leaders to show how rail careers are changing and to spark interest in a new generation of rail transit workers.

Through a grant-funded initiative backed by the Federal Railroad Administration’s CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement) program, Hitachi Rail is partnering with educators to make rail careers more visible and accessible. The national effort, led by the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida, brings together colleges, universities, and rail transit operators to build awareness and create clear pathways into the industry.

“Partnering with companies like Hitachi Rail brings classroom learning to life,” said Julia Okinaka, representing the University of Hawaii’s Natural Disaster Preparedness Training Center (NDPTC). “As part of the CRISI grant to promote workforce development in the rail industry, we help provide students and educators with a clearer understanding of the career opportunities available—and the pathways to achieve them” Julia added.  These partnerships and collaborations help create a bridge from the classroom, community, and workforce.

In Honolulu, where Skyline is the only passenger rail system in Hawaii – and the first autonomous passenger system in the U.S. – this kind of outreach takes on added significance. As the operator of the system, Hitachi Rail plays a central role in helping build a workforce that reflects both the innovation of the system and the community it serves.

Reaching Students by Engaging Educators

One element of the program focuses on inviting elementary, middle and high school principals to visit Honolulu’s operations and experience the Skyline system firsthand. These visits help introduce the range of career possibilities in rail – from engineering and operations to communications and technology – and give school leaders tools to bring that perspective back to their teachers, students, and families.

“We want people to see that careers in rail transit span far beyond what most people might expect – from systems engineering to digital control to safety operations, and maintenance of autonomous rail systems,” said Michael Wiedecker, Operations and Maintenance Director Hitachi Rail Honolulu. “There’s a wide range of opportunities here, and we’re making that evident to students, educators, and the community.”

By working directly with educators, the effort is planting seeds early and encouraging a broader, long-term shift in how students see the rail industry.

Bridging the Gap Between College and Career

At the post-secondary level, Hitachi Rail is partnering with Leeward Community College and Honolulu Community College to give students and faculty behind-the-scenes access to Skyline. These tours and touchpoints provide real insight into the skills needed for in-demand technical and operational roles.

The results speak for themselves. Two current employees – Lauren Yamamoto, ATS/SCADA Technical Administrator, and Bobby Williams, Onboard Associate Commissioning Engineer – came to Hitachi Rail through Leeward’s Mechatronics Program. Both now play key roles in keeping the system running and continue to develop their technical expertise within the company.

Sharing the Story

To bring these efforts to life more broadly, a Leeward Community College short video is in development that will highlight the Skyline system and feature Lauren’s and Robert’s stories. Their paths from education to employment show the real potential of strong school-industry partnerships — and how local talent can help power an innovative system.

This work is fully funded through the CRISI grant, allowing Hitachi Rail to create long-term value: stronger community connections, clear career pipelines, and a workforce built for the future of rail.

With Segment 2 of Skyline set to begin revenue service in October, these outreach efforts are arriving at just the right time. This isn’t just about filling roles today; it’s about helping shape a rail system, and a workforce, that will serve Honolulu for years to come.