Workforce Development Programs

What is a Workforce Development Program?
Workforce Development Programs (WDPs) are training programs designed to assist potential and existing employees to prepare them for a competitive job market. The programs may offer education continuation, specialized skills and certifications, apprenticeship programs, and more. WDPs pinpoint specific skill gaps or labor shortages and offer training to individuals that are willing to further themselves and their careers.
Why are WDPs so Important?
Programs that are intended to develop the workforce are incredibly valuable to not only the individuals participating in them but the companies that are benefiting from them. WDPs create a workforce of more productive and qualified professionals, which in turn leads to a more efficient and prosperous economy. People are able to further their education, skills, and work readiness while companies have a wider selection of talented, potential employees. Overall, WDPs help to stimulate a robust economy that is advantageous for both employer and employee.
What is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)?
In 2014, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act was passed in the State of California. The WIOA mandates that there must be local and regional planning of the workforce. With seven Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) to oversee the 10.1 million residents of Los Angeles County, there is significant preparation for economic development, education and the workforce system. According to the Los Angeles Basin Regional Workforce Development Plan, “All seven local boards have all been actively involved in regional planning by reviewing State guidance, providing copious resource documents and reference materials, organizing regional forums, and meeting regularly as a group and individually to share insights, make decisions and set goals for regional coordination”. In addition to these large scale plans, there are local organizations like Pacific Gateways, that focus on community outreach and contribute to workforce development. These initiatives have been very successful in benefiting the economy and the people that choose to participate.
Citations
https://myworkchoice.com/blog/workforce-development/?utm_source=google.com
https://gsdi.unc.edu/our-work/workforce-development/
https://www.pacific-gateway.org/localplan2017/larpu_regional-plan_draft-jan2017.pdf
https://www.pacific-gateway.org/

A Superfund site is
an area designated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that
have been classified as being heavily contaminated with hazardous substances. These
substances may include chemicals, pollutants, or other toxic materials that
could have a significant risk to human health and the environment.
How Superfund site was created
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "In the late 1970s, toxic waste dumps, such as Love Canal and Valley of the Drums, received national attention when the public learned about the human health and environmental risks posed by the contaminated sites. In response, Congress established the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980." This law was created to enforce the responsibility of parties involved in contamination to clean up the sites or compensate the government for EPA's cleanup efforts. In cases where no responsible party is identified for the cleanup or reimbursement, the EPA assumes responsibility for cleaning up the contaminated area. The CERCLA act is commonly referred to as a Superfund Site.
CERCLA Act
According to the EPA “The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund, was enacted by Congress on December 11, 1980. This law created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and provided broad Federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. Over five years, $1.6 billion was collected and the tax went to a trust fund for cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites."
The purpose of CERCLA
According to the EPA: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA):
· established prohibitions and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites;
· provided for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at these sites; and
· established a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party could be identified.
How Superfund site are chosen
According to the EPA, sites are chosen by “Using Hazard Ranking System (HRS) criteria, EPA, its state and tribal partners, or the appropriate federal department or agency then conduct a preliminary assessment and, if warranted, a site inspection or other more in-depth assessment.” Sites that have a HRS score below 28.50 do not qualify for the National Priorities List (NPL) and are assigned to a No Further Remedial Action Planned (NFRAP) decision.
CTI offers safety consulting and the cleanup of sites and contaminated locations. If you have questions or comments, call CTI at 562.608.8401 or email info@ctienviro.com.
Citations:
References available, upon request please contact us.







