The Austin Infrastructure Academy was created due to an expectation the region would need to add tens of thousands of new jobs in the years ahead. After AIA’s first year, the massive demand for jobs has yet to arrive. But the academy still found some early success in connecting employers to workers. Included with this report is a list of the largest construction companies in the region.
Author: wfscapitalarea
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A Health Care Career Before College
Ashley King points to a moment a few years ago that changed everything. That’s when leaders at Workforce Solutions Capital Area and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation traveled to Dallas to get an inside look at an innovative charter school program.
At the time, workforce shortages were crushing the health care industry (Note: they still are).
What they found, however, was a unique proposition: a health care high school preparing students in future careers like nursing, biomedical science, and diagnostic services.
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Health care helps drive Central Texas job market
Last year, the Austin-area job market grew faster than any other major metro in the country—adding 27,200 jobs in 2025, which represents 2% year-over-year growth, according to an April 2026 report from Opportunity Austin.
The health care industry is among the fastest-growing, and is expected to grow 2.4% annually, adding about 6,780 workers per year, said Ashley King, director of health care partnerships at Workforce Solutions Capital Area.
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June 2026 Mobility + Infrastructure Snapshot, Austin Metro + Surrounding Counties
From major transportation projects to airport redevelopment and data center expansion, Central Texas is investing in the infrastructure needed to support a growing region. Meeting that demand will require a strong pipeline of skilled workers across construction, transportation, and the trades.
Key findings from the report include:
- Major infrastructure projects across the region require an estimated 10,000 skilled workers annually
- Current training capacity meets only about 60% of workforce demand
- More than 13,600 job postings in mobility and infrastructure occupations were recorded in 2025, with over 2,300 employers competing for talent
- Texas ranks second nationally for proposed data centers, with 24 active facilities and more planned
Our newest Texas Talent Experts white paper—developed in partnership with Opportunity Austin and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area—explores workforce trends, employer demand, and the strategies helping Central Texas build the talent needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects.
Read the white paper and learn how Central Texas is building the workforce needed to support a growing economy.
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Camps Help High School Students Learn About Nursing as a Career
Lucy Jones wasn’t sure what she wanted to do this summer, so she decided to ask the internet.
“Honestly, I typed what I wanted to do this summer into ChatGPT, and this (camp) was one of the first few things that came up,” said Jones, a rising junior from Kinston, N.C.
Charlotte Rieske, a rising junior from Dallas, took a similar path to the Longhorn Nursing Camp at the School of Nursing.
“I looked it up on TikTok, because I research everything on TikTok, and I saw a lot of people were really liking it,” Rieske said.
The camp, now in its fourth year, hosts between 58 and 60 students per session. Campers range in age from 15 to 17. Not only does the camp give them a hands-on opportunity to learn the duties and skills of a nurse, but it can also give campers an insight as to whether nursing is the right future.
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“I’m Feeling at Peace” | Grace on Receiving Support Through Raising Travis County
Grace is a working parent participating in the Raising Travis County initiative, a partnership between Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Travis County that helps eligible families access child care assistance.
In this testimonial, Grace shares what life was like before receiving support, the financial stress of balancing everyday expenses, and the peace of mind that comes from knowing she can now build savings, pay down debt, and focus on her family’s future.
She also offers advice for other parents who may be considering applying for assistance.
“I’m feeling at peace just knowing that I’ll have more of a margin to live on.”
❤️ Topics in this story:
- Child care assistance
- Working families
- Financial stability
- Raising Travis County
- Workforce Solutions Capital Area
- Parent support
- Child care scholarships
To learn more about Raising Travis County and to get on the waitlist, visit rtc.wfscapitalarea.com.
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“A Continuous Resource” | Southwest Airlines on Partnering with Workforce Solutions
Southwest Airlines shares how Workforce Solutions Capital Area has become more than a hiring partner — but a continuous resource for recruiting, workforce events, and community connection.
In this employer testimonial, Southwest reflects on how the partnership has evolved over time through ongoing collaboration, candidate support, hiring events, and a deeper understanding of the company’s workforce needs.
From providing interview space near the airport to helping connect qualified candidates with career opportunities, Workforce Solutions continues to support employers through relationship-driven workforce solutions.
“It’s not just a one and done.”
In this story:
- Employer hiring support
- Workforce partnerships
- Candidate recruitment
- Community hiring events
- Aviation and airport careers
- Long-term workforce collaboration
Thank you to Southwest Airlines for sharing their partnership story.
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Local Organizations Propel Next Generation’s Shift to Trade Work
Last month, ACC purchased a 560,000-square-foot facility for its new Southeast Austin campus, making additional space for its workforce training programs and the university’s Infrastructure Academy. The academy launched in 2025 in collaboration with the city, ACC, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area, a nonprofit supporting individuals in their search for local jobs. The academy is intended to help properly prepare students to meet the growing demand for workers for large-scale construction efforts like the I-35 and light rail expansions and the convention center redevelopment. The rapid, controversial emergence of data centers in Texas is also driving demand for skilled labor.
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Journal Profile: Yael Lawson plans to use connection to boost Austin’s workforce
Yael Lawson views her role as a connector in the Austin community to bolster both working people and needs of businesses.
Lawson is the relatively new CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, a nonprofit that’s tasked with finding ways to get locals good-paying jobs in the Austin area.
“We’re a convener and collaborate on how we bring organizations together to collaborate, and so I really want to focus on that,” Lawson said.
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Mia Wood | From Skillpoint Graduate to Electrician
Mia Wood shares how Skillpoint Alliance’s Electrical Program helped launch her career in the skilled trades.
After struggling to find direction, Mia found opportunity through hands-on electrical training, support from instructors, and a passion for commercial electrical work. By graduation day, she had already secured the job she had been hoping for — and started her path toward becoming a journeyman electrician debt-free.
Today, Mia is building a successful career while continuing her education through an employer-sponsored apprenticeship program.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is proud to partner with training providers like Skillpoint Alliance to help connect Central Texans to meaningful career pathways and workforce opportunities.
Learn more about Skillpoint Alliance.