Room: International AB
Sponsor(s)
 
Session Description
ZEB User Conference – Session 2: New Technology and Technical Training
Stream: Leadership Stream
Moderator: John Kardos – Zenobe
Speakers:
1. John Kardos – Zenobe
Charging Infrastructure Training and Supporting Systems Training
2. Omar Rasheed – Metrolinx
Enabling Transit Agencies to Act on Diagnostics (Diagnostics Training – Roles, Responsibilities and Impacts on the Organization)
3. Randy Helmer – Coast Mountain Bus
CMB Customized Training to Augment OEM Training
4. Randy Narine – Clean Core Research
Experience from a Fire Fighting Perspective
Session?1 focused on safe interaction with the equipment.
Session?2 focuses on how to work with the technology every day and how each role fits into the broader system.
Zero?emission buses operate within a tightly connected ecosystem—vehicle, charger, facility, grid, software, and communication systems all influence one another. That means workforce preparation must span both role-specific expectations and system-wide understanding.
Our speakers will highlight two essential lessons learned from agencies in active deployment:
1. Everyone must clearly understand their role expectations
Operators, dispatchers, coach technicians, supervisors, and unskilled personnel each contribute differently to:
– charge management
– fault reporting
– thermal monitoring
– diagnostics
– SOC management
– escalation protocols
– safe handling of HV components
2. Everyone benefits from understanding how the whole system works
A ZEB’s performance depends on how people interact with it throughout the day—the “day?in?the?life” perspective:
– how an operatorÂ’s driving style affects energy consumption
– how dispatch decisions shape charging windows
– how a coach technician’s actions affect vehicle availability
– how charger behavior impacts pull?out confidence
– how unskilled personnel navigate safe zones and boundaries
Our panelists will share lessons learned about OEM training, the need for supplemental in?house programs, collaborations with colleges, technician and apprenticeship evolution, and how early training gaps showed up in real operations.
This session is about building capability, clarity, and confidence—so every role supports both the vehicle and the system surrounding it.
Speaker(s) / Presenter(s)
Bio:
A senior executive with a proven history in change management, strategic planning, and employee development in public transportation, municipal government, healthcare and energy fields. With exceptional interpersonal, communications and leadership skills, corporate targets and objectives are achieved on time, and on budget through collaboration with councils, employees, and external stakeholders.
John Kardos – Vice President of Business Development, Canada, Zenobe
Bio:
John Kardos is the VP of Business Development – Canada at Zenobe Energy. He is a globally experienced sustainable mobility business leader with a passion for driving innovative solutions in transportation and infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has led commercial and strategic initiatives at organizations like Nova Bus (where he was the Vice President of Business Development), Bombardier Transportation (at the Systems and Services Divisions in Canada and the UK), and Stantec as well as leadership positions at eminent eco-friendly startups like NanoXplore, CarbiCrete and FleetZero. His passion lies in building long-term, high-impact projects, and working with public and private partners to deliver smart, sustainable solutions that drive shared success in this fast-changing environment.
Bio:
Omar Rasheed is a transit professional with over 20 years of experience in bus fleet maintenance, safety, and technical training, specializing in diesel, hybrid, and zero-emission vehicle technologies.
Beginning his career as a licensed 310T Truck and Coach Technician, Omar built a strong technical foundation through extensive hands-on experience in diagnostics, inspections, and advanced vehicle systems. He developed deep expertise in complex troubleshooting while working closely with OEMs and engineering teams across a wide range of vehicle platforms and evolving transit technologies. He went on to take on leadership roles in training and safety, where he designed and delivered high-impact programs focused on regulatory compliance, risk mitigation, and the safe integration of high-voltage and zero-emission technologies. His work has contributed to the development of industry-leading practices in hazard risk assessment, emergency response, and thermal event management for electric bus fleets.
Currently serving as a Senior Training and Development Specialist at Metrolinx, Omar operates at the intersection of engineering and frontline operations—translating complex technical systems, software, and emerging technologies into practical, effective training that drives safety, reliability, and performance across transit systems.
Omar plays a key role in advancing the transit industry through his leadership with the Canadian Urban Transit Association and the Ontario Public Transit Association, collaborating with agencies, apprenticeship programs, and post-secondary institutions to strengthen training standards, develop the next generation of skilled trades professionals, and advance the adoption of zero-emission technologies.
He is driven by a clear mission: to build safer, smarter, and more sustainable transit systems through technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
Randy Narine – President and CEO, Clean Core Research
Bio:
With over 10 years of experience in the fire service and leadership roles in clean energy research, I contribute to advancing public safety and sustainable technologies. At Clean Core Research, our team focuses on hydrogen and lithium-ion battery testing methodologies to address critical safety challenges within the clean energy sector.
As Vice Chair of SAE J2990, I participate in developing recommended practices for first and second responders handling hybrid and electric vehicle incidents. Our goal is to enhance safety protocols for evolving technologies, leveraging evidence-based research to mitigate risks and align with industry advancements.
Moderator(s)
John Kardos – Vice President of Business Development, Canada, Zenobe