Media Release: Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition
California Sign Association (CSA) Joins with More than 500 Organizations to Help Build Tomorrow’s Workforce
Groups Will Advocate to Help Pass the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act
CSA joined with more than 500 trade associations, professional societies, businesses, and employers to form the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, established to build support for the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 722 / H.R. 1477). The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Professional Certification Coalition (PCC) lead the new group.
The bipartisan, bicameral Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act would expand qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and professional certifications. The bill would provide valuable tax-advantage resources for families, students and workers—with or without a college degree—who pursue career growth, mid-career changes or pathways that diverge from a typical academic route.
CSA is committed to helping all working men and women to pursue their goals in achieving the appropriate training, certifications, and credentials required of today’s modern workforce. We therefore support the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act.
CSA has engaged with municipalities, State regulatory agencies and the legislature, to develop reasonable rulemaking. In the 1970’s, CSA was at the forefront of finding energy efficient solutions to Statewide brownouts. More recently, the organization worked successfully with the Energy Commission and state utilities to develop feasible lighting and electric consumption guidelines for signs. “We provide regular input and feedback to DIR, CARB, CEC and Caltrans, as well as numerous other government entities,” explains Roy Flahive, Executive Director for CSA. “CSA is responsible for substantially all of Chapter 2.5 of the Business & Professions Code pertaining to on-premise signs.”
“The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act can empower workers of any educational background, skill level or age,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “This pragmatic policy would support all industries and professions that rely on employees with specialized training or credentials. Our community is grateful to the Congressional champions for their commitment to supporting our current and future workforce.”
“Knowledge, skills and abilities are essential to help professionals grow their careers and for industries to grow their impact,” said Institute for Credentialing Excellence Executive Director and co-leader of the PCC Denise Roosendaal, FASAE, CAE. “It is a privilege to support the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, which will help strengthen industries, professions and the broader economy.”
The bill is led by Representatives Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) in the U.S. Senate.
Training and credentialing organizations help expand industry excellence, establish and strengthen professional pathways, increase workers’ earning power, foster marketplace competition and supply consumers with the best products, services and expertise. A member roster can be found at powerofassociations.org.
MEDIA CONTACT: Cheryl Flahive – CSA Director of Member Services cflahive@calsign.org
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About CSA
Serving California since 1959, CSA is a statewide trade association whose members collectively manufacture, install, and maintain the bulk of retail (on-premise) commercial signage throughout the state (i.e., shopping centers, grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, etc.). We are in many ways, the face of the commercial streetscape in every community in California.
In keeping with our vision and mission, we seek to serve our communities by “improving safety, increasing economic vitality and enhancing the aesthetics of commercial districts.” With these objectives in mind, CSA is committed to developing practical, feasible ideas to not only streamline business, but also to help improve the environment and tackle climate change.
About CSA Team
CSA’s Executive Director, Roy Flahive, has worked within the sign industry for more than 50 years. He served an apprenticeship in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), owned his own sign company for almost 30 years and he is well-known and highly respected in the sign industry, having served on numerous boards, including those of the International Sign Association (ISA), San Diego Area Lighting Advisory Council, Arizona Sign Association, Western States Sign Council, San Diego Mayors Sign Code Task Force, and UL’s Industry Advisory Committee. Notably, Flahive has twice been elected President (Chairman of the Board) of CSA and has served over 30 years on that board.
Cheryl Flahive, CSA’s Director of Member Services, has worked within the sign industry for over 33 years; twenty of those years, as vice president of a sign company in southern California. She has served in various administrative roles, from finance to project management, and is dedicated to helping CSA members at all levels.
The CSA Communications Committee, made up of committed industry leaders, works in a behind the scenes capacity, to keep CSA members educated and informed.