Austin Community College is collaborating with area schools to connect students to medical careers through the Central Texas Healthcare Academy.
Author: wfscapitalarea
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New program gives high school students dual credit options in healthcare
Thousands of students in Central Texas will have access to training and education that will set them up for a healthcare career, starting in the fall.
The Austin Community College District and Workforce Solutions Capital Area on Monday announced the launch of the Central Texas Healthcare Academy, which will be available to students within the Pflugerville Independent School District and Hays Consolidated Independent School District starting in the fall of 2026.
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It used to take 2 years to get affordable childcare in Travis County. Now, it’s taking months
Travis County is working with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the nonprofit that also manages the state’s affordable childcare list, to connect families with Raising Travis County scholarships.
Marjorie Vese Villafranco, a family services manager for Workforce Solutions, said the funding is coming at a crucial time for new parents.
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Cater-2-U Home Health Care Services Turns Connections into Immediate Hiring Success
Overview
Through participation in a Healthcare Job Fair hosted by Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Cater-2-U Home Health Services successfully connected with qualified candidates and met immediate hiring needs. The event provided a platform for the employer to engage directly with job seekers, streamline recruitment, and identify talent aligned with their service model.
Cater-2-U’s strong engagement and readiness to hire resulted in immediate outcomes, demonstrating the value of in-person hiring events in today’s competitive healthcare labor market.
The Challenge
Like many healthcare providers, Cater-2-U faces ongoing challenges in recruiting qualified staff to support growing service demands. Traditional hiring methods can be time-consuming, often delaying the onboarding of critical roles needed to maintain high-quality care.
To overcome these challenges, Cater-2-U participated in a targeted hiring event designed to accelerate recruitment and connect with job ready candidates in a single setting.
Strategic Approach
Cater-2-U Health Services leveraged the Healthcare Job Fair to meet candidates face-to-face, conduce really time interviews, on the spot background checks, and assess qualifications efficiently. With support from Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Business Services team, the employer had access to diverse pool of prepared job seekers, many of whom were aligned with healthcare roles and actively seeking employment.
“The job fair was highly successful, with a strong pool of candidates who brought experience across a variety of areas. The event was well organized and effectively accommodated all participating companies,” Eddie Stamps, CEO of Cater-2-U Home Health Care Services, said.
A coordinated effort across Workforce Solutions teams, including Business Services and Career Services, helped ensure candidates were informed, prepared, and ready to engage with employers, creating an environment conducive to immediate hiring decisions.
Impact & Outcomes
Cater-2-U Health Services achieved significant results during the event. Five candidates were hired on the spot, the employer connected with a strong pipeline of additional qualified candidates, and immediate hiring needs were addressed, reducing time-to-fill for critical roles. These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of direct engagement between employers and job seekers, all allowing Cater2U to quickly identify and secure talent.
“From a hiring perspective, we were able to connect with several qualified candidates and successfully hired five individuals from the event,” Stamps said.
Conclusion
Cater-2-U’s success at the Healthcare Job Fair demonstrates how strategic hiring events can deliver immediate results. By participating in a coordinated workforce initiative, the employer was able to accelerate hiring, reduce recruitment timelines, and build a strong talent pipeline.
This success reinforces the value of Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s services for local employers in supporting healthcare providers and connecting job seekers to meaningful employment opportunities turning connections into careers in real time.
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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Travis County approves $17.6M in childcare contracts to expand access
Travis County Commissioners on Tuesday approved millions in contracts that they said would expand childcare access in the county, with a particular focus on after-school and summer programs, as part of a funding initiative voters approved in 2024.
The contracts with more than a dozen local nonprofits — including United Way for Greater Austin, Austin Sunshine Camps, Latinitas and the Greater Austin YMCA — collectively represent a $17.65 million investment in childcare across the county.
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Travis County approves $17.6M expansion of childcare programs
Travis County commissioners voted Tuesday on more than $17 million in new contracts aimed at expanding childcare, after‑school programs and summer opportunities for families across the county.
The $17.65 million investment fund contracts with 13 community partners through the Raising Travis County initiative, which was approved by voters to increase access to affordable, high‑quality childcare and out‑of‑school time programs.
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2026 hasn’t been a banner year for infrastructure jobs, workforce leaders say
It’s been projected that Austin has needed to add tens of thousands infrastructure and mobility jobs to meet workforce demands. But in 2026, workforce development leaders say the demand for these jobs hasn’t been as strong as expected.
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ACC purchases 560,000-square-foot facility to house Austin Infrastructure Academy
The Austin Infrastructure Academy officially has a permanent home after the Austin Community College District (ACC) purchased a facility that is expected to become the College’s second-largest campus.
According to a Thursday morning announcement from ACC, the 560,000-square-foot facility will also be a hub for workforce training in advanced manufacturing, building construction technology, automotive technology and collision repair, welding technology, and heating, air & refrigeration technology (HART).
It was acquired on Wednesday for $130,500,000, funded through the College’s 2022 General Obligation Bond, per the ACC announcement.
