Leading the Nation in Supporting Experienced Talent
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is proud to announce its recognition as a Certified Age-Friendly Employer by the Age-Friendly Institute, making us the only transit agency in California, and one of only a few nationwide, to receive this prestigious designation.
This certification reflects VTA’s commitment to building an inclusive, multigenerational workforce where experience, knowledge, and leadership are valued at every level of the organization. Today, more than 950 VTA employees, over 40% of our workforce, are aged 50 or older, contributing across a wide range of roles, including Bus Operators, Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, Administrative Professionals, and Managers. Many also return to serve as retired annuitants, offering their expertise in part-time or advisory roles.
Why Age-Friendly Practices Matter
At VTA, age-inclusive employment isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a strategic advantage. A multigenerational workforce brings a diversity of perspectives, deep institutional knowledge, and workplace stability that directly supports our mission to deliver high-quality transit services and community-centered solutions.
Key Practices That Earned the Certification:
- ✅ Age-neutral recruitment and hiring practices
- ✅ Pay equity across all classifications
- ✅ Ergonomic workplace adjustments and wellness support
- ✅ Pre-retirement planning to support career transitions
- ✅ Opportunities for retired annuitants to return in meaningful roles
- ✅ Implicit bias training, including a focus on age diversity
- ✅ Ongoing professional development available to all staff
Investing in Talent at Every Career Stage
While we do not offer programs exclusively for employees aged 50+, all VTA staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities, both in-person and online. We are also actively exploring multi-generational workforce training to promote collaboration and respect across age groups.
A Culture of Inclusion and Opportunity
This certification underscores VTA’s core belief: experienced professionals are essential to our success. Their expertise strengthens transit operations, improves customer service, and helps us stay responsive to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.
As a Certified Age-Friendly Employer, VTA is proud to set the standard for inclusive employment in the public transit industry, and we remain committed to policies and practices that reflect our values of opportunity, and respect for all employees.
Learn more about the Certified Age-Friendly Employer program by visiting the Age-Friendly Institute website.
