Report 2015-608 Recommendation 14 Responses

Report 2015-608: High Risk: State Departments Need to Improve Their Workforce and Succession Planning Efforts to Mitigate the Risks of Increasing Retirements (Release Date: May 2015)

Recommendation #14 To: Transportation, Department of

Caltrans should develop a comprehensive workforce and succession master plan by December 2015 to ensure that it is adequately prepared for the retirement of a significant number of its highly experienced employees. The plan should include current best practices that meet its organizational needs.

6-Month Agency Response

Caltrans released the Annual Caltrans Workforce Plan on September 14, 2015, which contained elements (such as an itemized summary of "best practices") requested by the CSA after their review of the draft April 2015 plan. The Annual Workforce Plan also provided a statewide summary of all the workforce/succession plans for Caltrans' major occupational groups, including demographic data, workforce solutions, and activities.

On October 16, 2015, Caltrans conducted a succession planning reengagement meeting for its career executives (CEA) which included a cross-section of executive management participants in headquarters and the districts. Caltrans is in the process of implementing best practices such as a formal mentorship program pilot, an executive leadership interview series, and brown bag sessions to bolster communication and outreach efforts regarding workforce planning.

A presentation to the Caltrans Executive Board is planned for the first quarter of calendar year 2016.

Corrective action fully implemented.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Fully Implemented


60-Day Agency Response

Caltrans will release the first 2015 Annual Caltrans Workforce Plan in July 2015 instead of April as previously indicated, and an update by December 31, 2015. The July 2015 Annual Caltrans Workforce Plan will contain elements (such as an itemized summary of "best practices") requested by the CSA after their review of the draft April 2015 plan. The Annual Caltrans Workforce Plans will provide a statewide summary of all of the workforce/succession plans for Caltrans occupational groups, including demographic data, workforce solutions, and activities.

A presentation to the Caltrans Executive Board is planned for the first quarter of calendar year 2016.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Pending


All Recommendations in 2015-608

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.