MGT’s new four-part report series explores how states and regions are redefining education-to-career systems: connecting students to meaningful, paid pathways that lead to economic mobility and meet workforce demand.
The Stackable Credentials white paper explores how stackable credentials within Career Connected Learning efforts create flexible, employer-aligned pathways that allow K–12 students to earn industry-recognized credentials, enter high-demand careers, and continue advancing their skills over time to achieve long-term economic mobility.
In Austin, the Central Texas Healthcare Academy created five stackable credential healthcare pathways beginning in high school.
Across our 10-county region, more than 115,000 students are enrolled in industry-aligned, credential and degree pathways connected to high-demand careers.
50,000 students in healthcare
46,500 in STEM
13,400 in semiconductor & advanced manufacturing
6,500 in skilled trades
At the same time, thousands of job openings across these sectors show just how important early career awareness, work-based learning, and employer engagement truly are.
Our newest Texas Talent Experts report — developed in partnership with Opportunity Austin and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area — highlights how regional collaboration is aligning K-12 pathways with real workforce demand.
Read the white paper and see how Central Texas is strengthening its talent pipeline from the classroom forward.
Heather Severson used her undergraduate degree in molecular biology and physiology to start a career as a scientist. Though she found lab work interesting and had earned a few promotions, she felt disconnected from the families that her efforts benefited.
Unfulfilled, Severson decided on a career change and enrolled in the Accelerated Second Degree Nursing (ASDNU) program at Fairfield University’s Austin Campus. Thus began her journey to become a registered nurse and to work directly with patients.
Severson graduated from Fairfield University in August 2025 and was hired at Ascension Seton Northwest Hospital as a labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum nurse. Such assignments are notoriously difficult for a new nurse to land, and Severson credits her internship experience with helping to secure that role.
“I was a student nurse intern on the same floor during my last semester at Fairfield, and that experience served as a steppingstone into my position,” Severson said. “It allowed me to build relationships with many of my coworkers and managers before starting orientation. That undoubtedly helped me land my current role and made everything less stressful.”
Severson chose Fairfield’s 15-month ASDNU program for its small class sizes and hands-on experiences. Accelerated BSN programs move at a quick pace, and she wanted every opportunity to maximize her potential.
“We learned a lot in a short period of time,” Severson said, “and the skill labs and simulations are where I gained the confidence needed for the floor.”
That Severson developed confidence through Fairfield’s robust simulation program is not only expected but also deliberate. Fully accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, the program provides hands-on training in a variety of real-world simulations. In Austin, the facility features a 21-bed learning laboratory and eight simulation rooms for creating fully immersive learning scenarios.
As for her classes, Severson appreciated the personalized and positive atmosphere at Fairfield. “I was lucky to attend the ASDNU program at the Austin Campus because my classes were relatively small,” she said. “This was a great help throughout the program because our professors were very responsive to our questions.”
She added: “My classmates and I were very supportive of each other. They amazed me daily and provided so much inspiration along the way.”
Area residents seeking careers in the infrastructure and mobility sector can attend an Austin Infrastructure Academy career expo Feb. 4 at Austin Community College’s Highland Campus.
The academy’s next infrastructure career fair will allow job-seekers to meet with area employers and explore career opportunities in fields like transportation, construction and other skilled trades. Workforce resources, and in-person interviews for open positions, will be offered.
After being laid off from a longtime role in healthcare, Cindy felt overwhelmed — unsure where to go or how to start over. That’s when she got connected to Workforce Solutions Capital Area — and everything started to change.
With the right support, she was able to refresh her credentials, find new confidence, and land a job she’s proud of in a place where she feels valued.
“WFS immediately made the turnaround… and caused me to get interviews and ultimately a great job that I’m very, very pleased with.”
As you sit in traffic or drive through a construction zone, perhaps your next career move could bring you behind the scenes of the Austin transportation world.
Movability, CapMetro and Workforce Solutions are hosting a networking event on Thursday on National Transit Career Day.
Se anima a los veteranos, militares y sus cónyuges de Texas a asistir a una serie de ferias de empleo gratuitas el próximo mes de noviembre como parte de la iniciativa estatal “¡Hiring Red, White & You!”.
A series of events will kick off next week aimed at finding jobs for Texans who served their country. Across the state — 30 different locations over a span of more than two weeks will host “Hiring Red, White and You” job fairs. KXAN’s Will DuPree and Avery Travis spoke with Carlton Robinson and Damien Hancock to learn more.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area proudly hosted the 2025 Texas HireAbility Job Fair in Austin, Texas. This impactful event brought together inclusive employers, job seekers with disabilities, and community partners with one shared goal: to create a more accessible and equitable job market for all.
With tailored resources, networking opportunities, and access to local hiring companies that prioritize inclusivity, the Texas HireAbility Job Fair is a vital step toward breaking down barriers and fostering an employment landscape where everyone can thrive.
As an employer deeply committed to advancing economic opportunity, the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL) has successfully partnered with Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) to grow its team, invest in emerging talent, and support meaningful career pathways. By leveraging Reverse Referrals, Subsidized Employment, and On-the-Job Training, AAUL has strengthened its workforce while modeling best practices in inclusive hiring and skill development.
For mission-driven employers like AAUL, it’s essential to bring in staff who align with both the organization’s values and its community impact goals. Traditional recruitment methods can sometimes leave key roles unfilled if the right candidates aren’t actively applying.
AAUL embraced the Reverse Referral model—referring strong candidates directly to WFS to be screened for eligibility and supported through subsidized employment services—to close this gap. This approach ensures they can move forward with hiring individuals they’ve already identified as valuable additions to their team.
Through Reverse Referrals, AAUL referred six candidates, resulting in five hires through the Subsidized Employment program. These placements provided immediate support to the organization while reducing wage costs during the initial training period. Two of those employees transitioned into On-the-Job Training—a clear indication of AAUL’s commitment to long-term workforce development.
These transitions resulted in wage increases ranging from $3.00 to $5.00 per hour. These outcomes reflect a strong return on investment for both the employer and the individuals served.
What they’re saying: “This service has been instrumental for the Austin Area Urban League, especially considering our challenges with immediate funding for new hires,” Eric Valentine, Senior Director of Workforce Development at AAUL, said.
“Since our partnership began, we have had the opportunity to hire quality employees permanently, and we’ve noticed that they approach their roles with a strong sense of responsibility during the probationary period. I sincerely hope the Subsidized Employment Program continues, as it significantly impacts our community in Travis County. Thank you once again for your support!”
This group of employees represents more than just numbers—they reflect the impact of a hiring model that puts equity, strategy, and speed at the center of workforce development. By leveraging Reverse Referrals, AAUL was able to hire individuals they had already identified as mission-aligned, while Workforce Solutions provided the financial support to onboard and upskill them.
Our partnership with AAUL reflects a smart hiring strategy and a meaningful investment in people. In 2025, Workforce Solutions Capital Area paid out $67,000 in subsidized wages—dollars that go directly toward building local workforce capacity and supporting employer growth. AAUL’s experience stands as a model of how these funds can be maximized to benefit both organizations and the communities they serve.
Austin Area Urban League showcases how workforce solutions can be tailored to meet the real needs of employers—especially those working on the frontlines of economic empowerment. By combining Reverse Referrals with Earn & Learn strategies like Subsidized Employment and On-the-Job Training, AAUL is not only hiring for today, but also developing a workforce for tomorrow.
Our tailored solutions at various levels of support can assist your business with awareness-raising, training, placement, and upskilling. Learn more and contact us to begin.
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