The Federal Highway Administration, Center for Local Aid Support (FHWA-CLAS), invites you to participate in a Local Agency Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment. Local agencies own seventy-six percent of the U.S. road network. In this ownership role, many face challenges in maintaining and operating their network, including the need to find and retain a skilled workforce. For agencies with limited budgets, looming retirements, and the need to stay current and embrace new construction technologies, it may be difficult to maintain a skilled workforce.
Over 35 years ago, Congress recognized the challenges of Local Public Agencies (LPA) and the need to provide access to surface transportation technology, technical assistance and training. As a result, Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) centers have been established in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. FHWA is currently revisiting our strategic plan for this program. The strategic plan describes general and long-term goals the program aims to achieve, what actions FHWA and the LTAP Centers will take to realize those goals, and how we will deal with challenges and risks that may hinder achieving results. Also in concert with members from the National Local Technical Assistance Program Association (NLTAPA), AASHTO, APWA and NACE, we are exploring ways to partner with other organizations that have services – training and technical assistance – that are relevant to the local community and to integrate information, training, or technical assistance on innovations (technology and practice) into the services the LTAP Centers provide.
Key to setting goals in the new strategic plan, will be your input on your workforce needs. We appreciate your taking the time to complete the following survey. The survey results will be a foundational document that informs the new strategic plan. It will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete the needs assessment. Your responses are voluntary and will be confidential. Responses will not be identified by individual. If you have questions at any time about the survey or the procedures, you may contact Andy Byra (Andy.Byra@dot.gov) or by phone at (720) 963-3522.
Thank you very much for your time and support. Please start the survey now by clicking on the following link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LANA1
John LaMacchia is the Assistant Director of State and Federal Affairs for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment issues. He can be reached at jlamacchia@mml.org or 517-908-0303.