OCT 2021 – SEPT 2022
From our leaders
Our Impacts
Top 10 Moments
From Our CEO
Today, Austin is creating jobs at a faster clip than the national job growth rate, but many of the higher-paying jobs will require a level of skills training (e.g., more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, such as an industry-recognized credential). And even more quality jobs are set to be added to our region, from Austin’s expanded transit system project to new federal infrastructure investments. I invite local change agents — whether leaders in elected office, business, K-12 education, higher education, or workforce development — to partner with WFS and local workforce development boards to begin planning for worker supply now, not later.
Last year, we celebrated many big moments for local workforce development. These successes would not have been possible without WFS’ 42 team members, nearly 30 influential business and civic leaders serving on our board, and many community partners striving to “leave our community better than they found it.”
One moment in 2022 that I believe will have the most impact in our region is the launch of our Hire Local Plan. Hire Local involves Austin-area, community-based organizations, training providers, employers, and elected leaders all coming together to work toward the same outcome: to help close the gap between the number of local jobs available and the amount of skilled workers qualified to fill them.
The level of workforce investment we received from the City of Austin and Travis County in support of Hire Local was unprecedented. And it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Today, Austin is creating jobs at a faster clip than the national job growth rate, but many of the higher-paying jobs will require a level of skills training (e.g., more than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree, such as an industry-recognized credential). And even more quality jobs are set to be added to our region, from Austin’s expanded transit system project to new federal infrastructure investments.
I applaud our Austin-Travis County leaders’ attention to workforce development to keep our economy strong and reap the most return on local investment. I invite other local change agents — whether leaders in elected office, business, K-12 education, higher education, or workforce development — to partner with WFS and local workforce development boards to begin planning for worker supply now, not later.
Bottom line: WFS will continue to serve as a resource, trusted advisor, and partner to ensure a ready supply of skilled workers for the jobs of today and the future.
— Tamara Atkinson
Tamara Atkinson
From Our Board Chair
I see doubling down on our Hire Local Plan as our opportunity to make the most impact. We will continue to be laser-focused on our mission to connect local people to local jobs. And through the Texas Talent and Economic Growth Initiative, our impact will go beyond Austin-Travis County. Workforce boards along the I-35 corridor (including Capital Area, Alamo, and Rural Capital Area) are re-imagining how we align our service delivery across regions to better serve employers and job seekers across our hubs. What we’re building and operationalizing — from San Antonio to Georgetown and in between — will be a model for all other Texas workforce boards.
I was raised right here in Austin. I went to school here and have worked in Austin my entire career. I love this community and am committed to helping all our neighbors have the same opportunities I had — and more!
Looking ahead as board chair of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, I see doubling down on our Hire Local Plan as our opportunity to make the most impact. We will continue to be laser-focused on our mission to connect local people to local jobs.
Hire Local’s goal is to connect local people with the skills needed to land in-demand, higher-paying jobs so they can afford to stay in Austin. We do this in four ways: raising awareness for these opportunities, connecting Austinites to skills training, placing them in higher-paying jobs and upskilling underemployed workers. This workforce plan is facilitated by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, but it is a true community-wide effort.
And through the Texas Talent and Economic Growth Initiative, our impact will go beyond Austin-Travis County. Workforce boards along the I-35 corridor (including Capital Area, Alamo, and Rural Capital Area) are re-imagining how we align our service delivery across regions to better serve employers and job seekers across our hubs.
What we’re building and operationalizing — from San Antonio to Georgetown and in between — will be a model for all other Texas workforce boards.
The roles we aim to embody with this new model are as follows:
- Texas Talent Experts: Establish the state’s public workforce system as the go-to resource for expertise on the Texas talent market.
- Service Optimizers: Deploy unmatched services of value to employers and economic development organizations and more effectively share the public workforce system’s toolbox.
- Partnership Managers: Proactively engage and manage more intentional partnerships to facilitate talent solutions, pursue shared goals to support a healthy and robust workforce, and leverage joint resources.
Thank you to all our local, state, and national partners and advisers who are tirelessly working alongside us to ensure that our region is prosperous for everyone.
— Melanie Flowers
Melanie Flowers
Awareness & Enrollment
Cultivating interest in high-demand, quality entry- and mid-level careers
13,595
Students served
with career activities in and out of the classroom such as career exploration events, field trips to industry work sites, summer internships and more
5
ISD partners
Austin, Del Valle, Elgin, Manor, & Pflugerville
33
Campuses supported
Training
Equipping workers with the skills they need to succeed
$30K
Average annual wage increase for individuals after completing training through Workforce Solutions Capital Area
WIOA Adult program completers, as of 2021
10,712
Job seekers served
6,119 unemployment insurance claimants
5x
ROI for every dollar invested in training
71%
Of adult clients found employment in their field of training
6-Year Impacts (2016-2021)
▲$146M
Total increased earnings for our customers post-program exit
$518M
Total earned by our customers post-program exit
Placement
Connecting employers with local talent to fill quality entry-level jobs and good-paying mid-level jobs
7,604
Employers served
72
Hiring events
4,052 job seekers & 1,442 employers attended
Upskilling
Assisting frontline workers in acquiring skills to advance into higher-paying mid- and upper-level jobs
$1.3M
Invested in upskilling in Central Texas
through partnerships with employers
6
Registered apprenticeship programs expanded
4 in healthcare, 2 in adv. manufacturing
Child Care Services
Promoting positive child outcomes
$6,326
Average annual wage increase of parents receiving child care assistance post-program exit
5,470
Children received child care scholarships
341
Child care providers contracted
43
Providers raised to higher Texas Rising Star quality rating
342 providers and teachers trained/mentored
341
Children enrolled in Continuity of Care program
Funded by City of Austin / Travis County to bridge any gaps in eligibility for local parents
271
Jeanette Watson Wage Supplement recipients
Helps early childhood professionals continue to work in a field where wages are not commensurate with other skilled positions
Top 10 Workforce Moments of 2022
2022 was a monumental year for our local workforce and Workforce Solutions Capital Area! Looking ahead, our goal is to continue making a positive difference in the lives of job seekers and employers.
