Education
Learn With ABA
The American Bus Association believes in the importance of professional and continuing education. We offer in-person and virtual educational opportunities year-round.
Entry-level Driver Training
The American Bus Association knows a qualified person must be a professional motorcoach driver. Safe, on-time driving, excellent customer service, dependability, and trip planning are the cornerstones of your career. For this reason, ABA has partnered with Prevost to help members recruit, train, and retain qualified drivers by offering courses relevant to new and experienced drivers.
Driving Force: The Industry’s Guide to Recruiting & Retaining
Created by the ABA’s Women in Buses Council, Driving Force is a program designed to tackle the nationwide driver shortage by providing industry operators tips and tools to recruit and retain their most valuable asset: Drivers.
“Decide Smart, Arrive Safe” School Bus Driver Training Videos
School bus drivers play a vital role in the safety of our children. Understanding how to approach and cross railroad tracks safely is critical in preventing accidents and ensuring every student arrives at school and home without incident. Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a leading nonprofit rail safety education and awareness organization, introduces Decide Smart, Arrive Safe, a new video training tool designed to help school bus drivers navigate railroad crossings safely.
Webinars
The American Bus Association’s education program offers useful and timely webinars on various industry-related topics.
Did you miss one of our business-building webinars last month? Or want to watch a webinar again? Good news! All of our on-demand webinars allow you to view them at your own pace and time.
Marketplace Education
Breakout Sessions
ABA offers more than 50 quality seminars conducted by top-rated national speakers and industry experts. You do not need to sign up in advance for any seminars; however, you do need to schedule them in your personal schedule during the busy week at ABA to take advantage of all the ABA Education Program offers. The ABA’s Marketplace education program will continue to offer timely topics on seven tracks:
Professional Development
The “Professional Development” track helps individuals develop specialized and unique skills to assist them in their personal career growth.
Technology
The “Technology” track helps individuals improve their technical skills in this fast-changing business environment. Training sessions will focus on software, emerging online tools such as social media, and advanced uses for common computer-based technologies.
Sales and Marketing
The “Sales and Marketing” track is peppered with unique and innovative approaches to the science of selling. Participants will be introduced to new niche markets, focus on successful cutting-edge case studies, and how to take the next step in putting your business over the top.
Motorcoach Safety
ABA’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) provides expert speakers and government/industry officials who present on issues and topical interests in the areas of safety and security. Past topics have included Cybersecurity Threats, Driver Training, In-Vehicle Monitoring Systems, Insurance and liability Implications, Self-Driving Vehicles, Sleep Apnea, and the Top 10 Vehicle Violations.
Motorcoach Maintenance & Repair
ABA’s Bus Maintenance & Repair Council (BusMARC) provides relevant sessions and hands-on education for motorcoach operations. A sampling of past topics includes: 110 Outlets & Wifi, Adaptive Braking, AGM Batteries, Remote Diagnostics/Diagnostics Networks, and ELD Installation.
Motorcoach Innovations
ABA’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) provides you with expert speakers and government/industry officials who present on issues and topical interests in technology and other coach innovations.
Motorcoach Regulatory & Compliance
ABA’s Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) provides you with expert speakers and government/industry officials who present on issues and topical interests in regulations and compliance.
Education Bites
Don’t have time for a full seminar? We have you covered with our Education Bites. These short bites of information take place on the Marketplace floor. Each session is 14-30 minutes in length and conducted using headsets.
ABA Foundation Scholarship Program
Through its scholarship program, the American Bus Association Foundation promotes academic excellence and diversity in the motorcoach travel and tour industry. The ABA Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in financial support to more than 300 scholars in the past 21 years of outreach. The ABA Foundation Scholarship program awards 21 scholarships totaling more than $100,000 annually. As a member of ABA, you, your colleagues, and children can apply for a scholarship.
