The International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) is a labor union-aligned nonprofit that provides workforce development, training, and research services to support public transportation systems in the United States. The organization partners with labor unions, transit agencies, and government bodies to promote apprenticeships and standardized training for transit workers. ¹ Since its founding in 2001, ITLC has received millions in federal funding.  ²

Leadership

The executive director and Board secretary for the International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) is John K. Clark. According to the group’s 2023 tax return, Clark reported a salary of $171,316 that year. Other senior staff include Xinge Wang, deputy director, who earned $160,887; Elizabeth Waller, director of finance, with a salary of $149,979; and Patricia Greenfield, senior director, who earned $118,577. ³

John A. Costa is the board chair for the ITLC. Costa is the international president for the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). ⁴ Henry Li, the general manager of the Sacramento Regional Transit District, is treasurer. ^{5 3}

Finances

In 2023, the International Transportation Learning Center reported $3,077,449 in revenue and $3,074,700 in expenses, with $2,231,868 of its revenue derived from public support, including government grants. It ended the year with $2,221,158 in assets.  ⁶

In 2021, the organization received a $12.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. As of May 2025, $7.4 million has been disbursed. The grant is fully federally funded through the DOT’s Technical Assistance and Training account. ²

Union Partners

The ITLC has previously partnered with labor unions, transit agencies, and federal departments to develop national training standards, host industry roundtables, and implement union-led apprenticeships for frontline transit jobs. Although it presents itself as a neutral training provider, its board composition and partnerships reflect a strong alignment with organized labor. ⁷ Union partners have included the Amalgamated Transit Union and the Transport Workers Union of America. ^{8 9}

1. “Home.” International Transportation Learning Center. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://transportcenter.org/.
2. “Grant to International Transportation Learning Center.” USAspending.Gov. Accessed May 20, 2025. www.usaspending.gov/award/ASST_NON_MD-2021-027_6955.
3.  Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). International Transportation Learning Center. 2023. Part VII. Section A – Officers, Directors, Trustees, Key Employees, and Highest Compensated Employees.
4. “John A. Costa.” Amalgamated Transit Union. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.atu.org/union/leadership/international-leaders/john-a-costa.
5. “Henry Li.” LinkedIn. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-li-59894384/.
6. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). International Transportation Learning Center. 2023. Part II. Section A – Public Support.
7.  “About ITLC.” International Transportation Learning Center. Accessed May 20, 2025. https://transportcenter.org/about.
8. ^[1] “IP John Costa Chaired the International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) Board Meeting.” Amalgamated Transit Union. Accessed May 20, 2025. www.atu.org/media/blog/2023/ip-john-costa-chaired-the-international-transportation-learning-center-itlc-board-meeting.
9. “Working Together: A Systems Approach for Transit Training.” White Papers. Accessed May 20, 2025. www.transittraining.net/white_papers/details/working-together-a-systems-approach-for-transit-training.