Programs are Coming soon! Stay Tuned!

Certified Mentor (CM) Program

Businesses and organizations can be large entities with many people, and it can be hard to account for all of the individual perspectives. Additionally, many people in railroading work with multiple organizations, or change jobs or organizational affiliations as their careers progress. Personnel changes may affect the environment or qualifications at any given business or organization. Therefore, NGR focuses on whether a specific individual is qualified to mentor others, regardless of their employment or affiliations.

An NGR Certified Mentor (CM) is an individual 18 or older who can help next generation railroaders in the following areas:

• Learning skills in the business or operation of a tourist railroad, museum, historical site, or freight railroad

• Introducing a person into the culture of their business or organization

To become a CM, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Be a NGR member

• Pass a background test

• Participate in an interview with NGR leadership

• Provide three references that demonstrate that they have a solid reputation both inside and outside of their business or organization

Educational Programming

NGR strives to share the knowledge and skills of the railroad preservation field with not only our members, partners, and mentors, but also with the general public. Educational programming both inward and externally facing will generate goodwill amongst our membership and the wider community, generate greater awareness of our organization, and ensure industry best practices are more widely circulated.

NGR offers regular virtual presentations and interactive panel discussions with railroad and preservation industry leaders as a benefit of NGR membership. Topics include the current working environment on the railroad, what hiring managers are looking for in a new recruit, and how to get involved and learn new skills at your local museum or historical society. Many overlooked facets of the business (including marketing, public/community relations, facilities and grounds maintenance, volunteer retention, and finances) are critical to successful operations, and NGR will work to educate and engage its members in these fields.

Most of NGR’s programming is offered virtually to ensure the widest possible reach. NGR uses various means, including recorded video content and interactive virtual presentations or lectures, to disseminate railroading knowledge. Many of these activities will be available to NGR members only, including occasional in-person events that allow NGR members to network with each other and industry professionals face-to-face.