Thirteen Milwaukee Bus Drivers Build Their Careers With Veteran Mentors

SECOND SHIFT · FROM THE FIELD

Milwaukee, Wisconsin · Public transit · Registered apprenticeship

From the reporting archive · Original report: August 18, 2026

Thirteen Milwaukee County Transit System bus operators reached a career milestone in August: completing a 14-month apprenticeship and receiving journeyworker certifications. Along the way, veteran employees served as mentors, helping newer drivers learn the demands of the work beyond the classroom.

Urban Milwaukee’s Graham Kilmer reported that the transit system paired newly hired operators with experienced colleagues through a program developed with Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development. The practical promise is straightforward: a new driver has someone to turn to before unfamiliar situations become problems.

Transit system CEO Steve Fuentes, who began his own career as a Chicago bus operator, told the publication he would have benefited from that kind of support. MCTS plans to make apprenticeship its standard approach to hiring and training operators.

The certifications are a demonstrated outcome. Better retention remains a goal, rather than a result established in the report. For these 13 workers, however, completing the program marks a recognized step forward in a career that keeps their community moving.

Mentoring recognizes experienced workers’ value. Follow-up should examine whether it helps new operators stay and advance.

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Second Shift tells the stories of people building what’s next through new skills, new careers and second chances. From the Field items are curated from credited reporting, with Location Decision’s perspective. Location Decision Originals are independently reported by our team.

Curated by Location Decision. Originally reported by Graham Kilmer, Urban Milwaukee, August 18, 2026.

This item was sourced and drafted with AI assistance and reviewed under Location Decision’s editorial standards. Second Shift tracks workforce outcomes to inform our broader editorial analysis. All reporting belongs to the credited journalists; read the original story for the full account.