Growing the future skilled workforce of Central Texas involves providing quality child care to eligible parents living and working in our community. To achieve this essential goal, Workforce Solutions Capital Area hosts the annual Child Care Symposium for child care directors, owners and workers in Central Texas.
This year, we held the symposium on August 4 and 5 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. The theme was Walk the Red Carpet.
ICYMI: Attendees enjoyed a full day of training opportunities and heard from speakers representing state and local governments and a fellow child care provider.
On August 5, 138 directors participated.
On August 6, 333 teachers participated.
Our grand total was 471 early learning professionals who each received 6.5 hours of training at the Child Care Symposium.
Why it matters: At the free symposium, attendees learned and grew in their fields, and heard from local organizations and leaders in the child care industry, including Austin Public Health, Conscious Discipline, United Way for Greater Austin, childhood education professionals and more.
Speaking on the first day was Tamara Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer for WFS Capital Area.
“We invest in our child care partners to make sure that they have access to valuable learning opportunities and are continuing to positively impact children’s lives through their important work,” Tamara said.
What they’re saying
For the directors and teachers who participated, the Child Care Symposium provided valuable learning opportunities and moments to connect with one another.
“Thank you for all the hard work that I know each of you contributed into making the Symposium such a success last weekend. You guys were amazing!” Irma Arrambide, owner/director at A New Day Child Development Center, said.
“My teachers were so grateful to be acknowledged for all the hard work that they have put in to make our little preschool a 4-Star school. I feel so truly blessed to call you all not only mentors but I feel like more of a close friend. We are all so blessed to have each of you on our side as we help the children in our communities thrive to be the future of the world. Thanks again for your dedication and your support,” said Irma.
“I really appreciate Workforce Solutions. There are so many things you guys help us with and so many mentors that go above and beyond to help our centers be successful. Thank you for all you do,” said one provider.
Another attendee said, “I’m grateful to have had the privileges to be a part of this event. To meet new people and the interactions with one another was a pleasure.”
Workforce Solutions Capital Area works with 400-plus providers across Central Texas to provide care for over 5,000 children.
Mother’s Day isn’t the only day in May that we celebrate those individuals who nurture and develop children. Child care providers also deserve recognition, which is why today is National Provider Appreciation Day.
In 2022, we contracted with 341 providers in Travis County to provide quality, nurturing care to 5,470 children.
$6,326: that’s the average annual wage increase of parents who received child care assistance.
271 early childhood professionals received wage supplements to help them continue to work in a field where wages are not commensurate with other skilled positions.
Our services related to child care are not just for Austin’s parents, however, but child care providers as well.
To celebrate the providers caring for Austin’s children—our community’s future workforce—we’re joining the national observance of National Provider Appreciation Day!
This event began in 1996 with a single group of volunteers in New Jersey.
The drive to recognize the dedicated efforts of child care providers has grown year by year, and today Provider Appreciation Day is a national event.
We understand the value that child care providers create for their community. By guiding the growth and development of children today, they help positively shape our community tomorrow.
As part of our commitment to quality child care, Workforce Solutions Child Care Services offers quality rated programs, quality initiative activities and other community resources to child care providers who strive for quality.
One of our largest offerings is the annual Child Care Symposium. This two-day event features keynote speakers and workshops to inform and inspire the leadership of our community’s child care providers and provide professional development opportunities for staff.
The 2022 symposium was held August 5 – 6 with 319 early learning professionals in attendance.
The speakers and workshops motivated participants to strengthen their centers’ programs for the benefit of staff and children alike.
To support our providers, we partnered with Austin Public Health to host curbside pickup events for providers to receive cleaning supplies and at-home testing kits. At our last event in December 2022, we distributed 20 pallets’ worth of supplies to 134 providers.
Use the hashtag #ProviderAppreciationDay on social media to follow the Provider Appreciation Day momentum. How will you celebrate? Tell us in a comment below!
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves to lead and govern the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. In this role, we are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Simply put, we connect local people — youth and adults — to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs.
To help us bridge our region’s skills gap, we are excited to welcome Josh Crawford to our board of directors. Josh currently serves as Vice President and Director of Texas Aviation at Garver.
Get to know Josh in our Q&A below, and connect with him on LinkedIn to see his extensive experience in the mobility and infrastructure industry.
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas but Fayetteville, Arkansas is home.
Q: How is WFS a go-to resource for employers in Austin?
A: The WFS mission and that of Austin employers goes hand in hand: to build a prosperous and productive workforce within the region, and in turn, helping the community that we share thrive for decades to come. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that supports Austin employers by engaging the workforce in new ways.
Q: What is the value of connecting local people to local jobs?
A: I believe local people have a vested interested in seeing their community thrive. It takes all of us to help Austin be its very best, and a great place to start is connecting those who call Austin home to local jobs and crafting a regional workforce system.
Q: How does upskilling benefit your industry?
A: Like most industries, the engineering industry is everchanging. And to best serve our clients and communities, we as engineers should continuously pursue new skills and information. This constant pursuit allows us to develop the innovative infrastructure solutions – from the runways and highways we use every day to the water we drink – that will serve the places we call home for decades to come.
Q: How does your organization support growing Austin’s workforce from local programs and schools?
A: I’m proud to work for a firm that prioritizes professional development, and therefore, is investing in Austin’s workforce. Garver does this in a variety of ways, including offering professional development courses through our Learning and Development program and supporting employee networking through a program we developed called Garver Connect. Garver also encourages community and industry involvement through professional organizations. As a member of the Airport Consultants Council, Airports Council International, and the American Association of Airport Executives, I’ve experienced first-hand just how crucial these types of organizations are to Austin’s aviation industry and beyond.
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q: What does your ideal day in the Austin area look like?
A: An ideal day includes lunch at Maudie’s, and then head to the cinema (preferably Alamo Drafthouse), followed by going to bed early. But let’s be honest, having young kids makes this a fantasy.
Q: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A: Well….according to the dictionary.com definition of a sandwich, yes. But I refuse to call a hot dog a sandwich.
Q: Which famous person do you look up to, and why?
A: My faith is very important to me, and as such I look up to, and look to, Jesus.
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: Hard work does pay off, but don’t try to predict when it will. Keep your head down, but don’t forget to glance up from time to time.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves to lead and govern the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. In this role, we are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Simply put, we connect local people — youth and adults — to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs.
To help us bridge our region’s skills gap, we are excited to welcome Jacob Calhoun to our board of directors. Jacob currently serves as Director of Transit System Enablement at CapMetro.
Get to know Jacob in our Q&A below, and connect with him on LinkedIn to see his extensive experience in the mobility and transit industry.
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: I’m from Temple, TX, just an hour north of Austin. It’s a nice town that my family has been in for more than 100 years. Temple got a Buccee’s a few years ago that you might have seen.
Q: How did you first become involved with Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS)?
A: Some of my colleagues have been involved with workforce development for years and I’ve recently gotten to see the positive impact it has had on recent CapMetro projects. With big initiatives like Project Connect, it’s imperative that we have and develop local talent to deliver big programs.
Q: How is WFS a go-to resource for employers in Austin?
A: So much of the workplace journey is having the ability to grow in your career. The network and resources that WFS provides creates an opportunity for a large pool of talent to guide their growth and help them achieve their goals.
Q: What is the value of connecting local people to local jobs?
A: For the mobility and transit industry, local knowledge is critical. We’re building projects that locals will interact with every day for decades to come. It’s imperative that our talent knows the local landscape but also has the ability to pull best practices from around the world into their work. Transit and mobility projects are also opportunities for our local workforce to not only contribute to the projects, but for locals to experience gains and benefits from the additional employment opportunities.
Q: How does upskilling benefit your industry?
A: Humans have been moving ever since we’ve been humans. We’re constantly looking for ways to go places and the mobility industry is tasked with facilitating that movement throughout the region. We need to ask ourselves though, “Are there better ways to get around?” The world continues to change on a daily basis, and we need a diverse mobility portfolio to ensure that our region can adapt to this change and remain resilient. While mobility projects may move people quickly, the projects are often large and can take many years to deliver. We need to cultivate the local talent we have and develop the skills we need to prepare for the future before it arrives.
Q: How does your organization support growing Austin’s workforce from local programs and schools?
A: CapMetro is actively preparing for the workforce that will be needed to deliver the future of transit in Central Texas. The agency supports their staff in receiving professional certifications, like my AICP certification. CapMetro also coordinates with colleges and universities to provide internship opportunities for students interested in the transit industry. Mentorship, networking opportunities and professional development is encouraged at CapMetro. Additionally, as our community has conversation about affordability and childcare, the CapMetro team is proud to provide on-site daycare for employees through a partnership with Bright Horizons. The daycare is available to employees at a prorated rate to ensure all employees have access to the childcare benefit.
Q: How has skills training helped you develop your career?
A: I’ve had the privilege of being trained in technical materials but I’ve also had the opportunity to enhance my network as well as having amazing mentors to help guide me through the industry. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am without the ability to enhance my skills through training.
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q: What does your ideal day in the Austin area look like?
A: It’s a beautiful Spring day in early May and I wake up with the sun to go for a morning run on the Northern Walnut Creek Greenbelt near my house. After a nap, my family and I walk to Balcones District Park to have a picnic under a live oak tree. We then take the Red Line downtown to the Austin Central library to check out some books and get ice cream. We take the train back home to eat dinner at Aviator Pizza. I say goodnight to my kids and I bike over to meet some friends at Hopsquad for a few pre-game drinks before we head to Q2 stadium to watch Austin FC. I pedal home from the win, a great day behind me.
Q: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A: According to my 4 year old daughter, a hot dog bun with peanut butter and honey IS a sandwich but that’s just the bread doing all the hard work with the hot dog nowhere to be found. The real question is why are we talking hot dogs? Where is the bratwurst on a pretzel bun with spicy mustard? I want to be part of that conversation.
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: While it’s great to look ahead and see what could be, it’s important to enjoy the where you are, too. There’s a lot going on right now and it would be great to join in that fun while it’s here.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves to lead and govern the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. In this role, we are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Simply put, we connect local people — youth and adults — to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs.
To help us bridge our region’s skills gap, we are excited to again welcome Kwee Lan Teo to our board of directors. Kwee Lan currently serves as Head of Workforce Development at Samsung Austin Semiconductor. In her previous role at the Austin Chamber, Kwee Lan had served on our board for many years.
Get to know Kwee Lan in our Q&A below, and connect with her on LinkedIn and to see her extensive experience in economic development and the advanced manufacturing sector.
Q: What is the value of connecting local people to local jobs?
A: The value is having people who want to stay in our region and grow with our community.
Q: How does upskilling benefit your industry?
A: Upskilling helps with retention and provides opportunities for people looking to grow further in the advanced manufacturing industry.
Q: How does your organization support growing Austin’s workforce from local programs and schools?
A: Samsung Austin Semiconductor has provided support to local schools in the form of site visits, career subject matter experts, post-secondary scholarships, internships and grant funding for industry-related programs
Q: How has skills training helped you develop your career?
A: I believe we learn new skills almost every day, however insignificant it may seem.
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: Learn more languages and play more musical instruments.
AUSTIN, Texas–Austin Transit Partnership and Workforce Solutions Capital Area today announced a partnership that will aim to develop Austin’s workforce to accommodate the expanding infrastructure projects in Central Texas. The two organizations will create the region’s first Workforce Mobility Industry Sector Partnership and Workforce Infrastructure Action Plan that will seek to build skilled talent from within the Austin community to meet the employment demands of the region as Project Connect progresses.
“I congratulate Austin Transit Partnership and Workforce Solutions Capital Area on this endeavor, and I am confident the partnership will have a positive, long-lasting impact on the Austin community,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. “ATP has been committed to increasing our city’s mobility since its inception, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s dedication to uplifting job seekers is unmatched in our community. I look forward to their collaborative achievements in the years to come.”
The Workforce Mobility Industry Sector Partnership will result in recommended oversight opportunities for infrastructure funding, enabling efficient and productive means to align workforce development resources through mobility, transit and infrastructure projects. Recommendations will include processes to reach underinvested
communities, as well as wraparound service needs.
“As Austin’s population grows and the region continues to be a destination for businesses across all sectors and industries, our infrastructure needs to expand and improve,” Greg Canally, executive director of Austin Transit Partnership, said. “We need to make sure every Austinite has equitable access to transportation throughout the city, and Austin Transit Partnership is working to achieve this goal. Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the perfect partner to ensure that as we build and grow, the Austin workforce is ready to meet the increasing demand for employees in construction, engineering and beyond.”
According to JobsEQ, a provider of labor market data and demographics, the Austin metro area currently employs 103,898 workers in the local construction and transit-related industries. The demand for workers in those fields is expected to increase to 142,657 over the next decade, with many of those jobs needed for Austin and the rail expansion within Project Connect.
“Austin is brimming with untapped talent needed to fill the thousands of jobs our future mobility and infrastructure projects, including Austin Light Rail, will generate,” Tamara Atkinson, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Ensuring Austin has the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of our growing region is paramount, and we are ready to serve as the hub for filling and growing mobility roles in operations, management and beyond.”
The partnership will kick off in April with Workforce Solutions analyzing the community’s mobility and infrastructure workforce ecosystem. The work will include a comprehensive study on the supply and demand of occupations in construction, skilled workers and related industries. Additionally, it will contain an assessment of current worker availability, job training capacity, academic readiness of job seekers and more.
Prior to delivering the action plan, Workforce Solutions is also charged with educating leaders on the value of training local workers for infrastructures needs and will include one to two best practice visits to cities that are using mobility funds to create stronger and more resilient communities.
ATP was created by CapMetro and the City of Austin after voters approved the provision of dedicated funding for the Project Connect System Plan. ATP is committed to delivering a core light rail system that connects people with jobs and destinations in an equitable manner and within an established budget. Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which connects local job seekers to local jobs, will coordinate with ATP, CapMetro, the City of Austin, the Community Advisory Committee and other mobility/transit entities to ensure there is skilled talent ready and available to take on jobs in the industry as the system expands.
For more information, including the Austin Light Rail March 21 community meeting, please visit ATPTX.org.
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About Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves as the leadership and governing body for the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. They are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Learn more at WFSCapitalArea.com and follow along on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
About Austin Transit Partnership
Austin Transit Partnership was created by the City of Austin and the Capital Metro Transportation Authority as the independent entity, accountable, and responsible for the financing, design, construction, and overall implementation of Project Connect—the transformative, voter-approved investment in new transit services. ATP’s charge is to deliver on the Austin voters’ transit vision in partnership with the community – and in a way that embeds equity, sustainability, and transparency as overarching priorities.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the local workforce development board for Austin-Travis County, is excited to announce its 2023 recognition as one of the Best Places for Working Parents in Austin by Early Matters Greater Austin.
Best Places for Working Parents™ is a first-of-its-kind business self-assessment promoting research-backed policies that benefit both working parents and businesses’ bottom line.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area has supported early childhood success for many years and the pandemic has only made the need more acute. For that reason, we are proud to collaborate with Early Matters Greater Austin and invite you to become a part of this growing, national movement of business leaders that are proving family-friendly is business-friendly.
Through a short, confidential online self-assessment, businesses can see if they qualify for a Best Place for Working Parents™ designation and view how their company compares to other companies of similar size and industry. Qualifying businesses who take the assessment will be promoted through local media outlets and receive unique branding opportunities. The online, self-assessment can be found here.
Why is this initiative important?
83% of millennials said they would or likely would leave their current job for another job with better family friendly workplace policies. Your company can be at the forefront of attracting and retaining top talent by earning this designation and showcasing your commitment to family-friendly policies.
National research tells us that there is a serious business case to being family-friendly. More than 15 million U.S. workers have quit their jobs since April 2021, and 45% of those surveyed said needing to take care of family was a key factor in their decision. Offering family-friendly workplaces is a crucial component of getting Texans back to work, fueling our state’s economic engine.
Our city thrives when children thrive because they are our future citizens, workforce, and leaders. Employers of every size and industry can play an important role in ensuring all children reach their full potential. Even though most employers are not directly involved in raising children, their support for family-friendly workplace practices is good for business and good for Austin.
About Early Matters Greater Austin
EMGA is an alliance of current and retired business professionals focused on the critical relationship between access to high-quality early education and our State’s long-term economic success. EMGA is dedicated to bringing the business voice to the table where appropriate to help ensure young children in Central Texas reach their full potential by entering kindergarten prepared to learn and succeed. To learn more or to get involved as a Best Place for Working Parents™, visit https://www.earlymattersgreateraustin.org/.
About Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board is the publicly-funded workforce board for Austin-Travis County. Through strong partnerships and strategic collaborations, we are leading the region’s workforce system in the development of a world-class workforce. To learn more about our services for job seekers, employers, parents, and children, please visit wfscapitalarea.com.
2022 was a monumental year for our local workforce and Workforce Solutions Capital Area! We want to celebrate some of the great work done for our community connecting local people to local jobs. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue making a positive difference in the lives of job seekers and employers. Here’s a recap of some of our top moments from 2022, presented in no particular order.
1. We launched the ‘Hire Local’ plan, offering 1,000 scholarships for training programs
Austin currently has one of the hottest job markets in the country, but our community continues to grapple with equity concerns such as unaffordability. Alongside Austin and Travis County leaders, we publicly launched the “Hire Local” plan in May 2022 and also announced 1,000 new scholarships available for our workforce training programs. The goal of Hire Local is to connect local people with the skills needed to land in-demand, higher paying jobs so they can afford to stay in Austin.
“[Workforce Solutions Capital Area] wants you to know that they have these opportunities for you all. They’re here for you. So I really want people to reach out and just respond to them, see what they have to offer.”
Khalyl Woodson, Workforce Solutions training scholarship recipient
2. We celebrated the first Hire Local Award winner through the Austin Chamber’s Greater Austin Business Awards
We’re honored to have partnered with the Austin Chamber to create a new recognition for local employers helping to strengthen our regional workforce.
As part of the Austin Chamber’s Greater Austin Business Awards, the Hire Local Award recognizes one local company that embraces the responsibility of preparing our future generations for careers in Central Texas. Congratulations to our board member John Newman with Athena Manufacturing for winning the first ever Hire Local Award!
RELATED: Manufacturing is a key industry in Central Texas, with many businesses producing everything from microchips to medical equipment. Hear from a local company building its talented workforce by relying on partners like Workforce Solutions Capital Area and no-cost training resources like the Certified Production Technician program.
3. We partnered with CapMetro on a 1,000+ Project Connect job development
A new collaboration between CapMetro and Workforce Solutions Capital Area will help develop more than 1,000 local jobs as the transit authority revs up its Project Connect mass transit program.
As part of the collaboration, we will work alongside our education and business partners to identify possible candidates from our talent pools and fulfill CapMetro’s workforce needs.
4. We expanded apprenticeship programs in healthcare, manufacturing and techwith more than $500,000 in grants in hand
Apprenticeship programs allow local people to keep a source of income, getting paid while they train on the job for in-demand careers. Learning from the skilled trades apprenticeship program from partners like Local 286 Plumbers and Pipefitters, we have been able to envision apprenticeship in other in-demand industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and tech.
RELATED:We won first place for the 2022 Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Award at the Texas Workforce Commission Conference. It’s an honor to receive this recognition for building effective training pathways in growing industries.
5. We partnered with Central Texas Food Bank to feed and find jobs for those in need
We partnered with Central Texas Food Bank for an event called “Fed Today, Work Tomorrow” to help those in need get food and job placement assistance ahead of the holidays. We offered free meals for the first 100 people, and SNAP enrollment coordinators were on site to help people get signed up.
“Collaboration is at the core of our mission. And so, it can be difficult for folks to try and navigate a system and receive assistance or get information. Any time we can come together to provide a one-stop shop of information and resources in one place and provide a meal, it’s a win for us.”
Sari Vatske, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank
6. We are improving child care services and resources for low-income families
Low-income families may find it difficult to work or pursue an education and pay for child care without financial assistance. That is why we offer child care scholarships and corresponding providers to meet the needs of their families.
Currently, we work with more than 300 child care providers that are caring for more than 3,000 children.
Dr. Desmar Walkes, Commissioner Aaron Demerson, and Council Member José “Chito” Vela
7. At the Child Care Symposium, providers received opportunities to learn and connect
Providing eligible parents with financial assistance for quality child care is essential for these parents to work or train to better provide for their families. It also helps to develop the future skilled workforce of Central Texas. To help accomplish this, we host the annual Child Care Symposium for child care directors, owners and workers in Central Texas.
8. We connected industry to the classroom with the Teacher Externship Program
Last summer, we partnered with local school districts and employers from various industries for the third annual Teacher Externship Program. Our program strengthens relationships with local school districts to connect with the next generation of skilled talent. We connect industry to the classroom, supporting students in developing in-demand academic and technical skills for today’s workforce.
“The employer component was outstanding. I learned the value in sharing all the opportunities that our scholars have beyond just believing they need to go to a college/university to have the job of their dreams or their choice.”
RELATED: In partnership with Austin Independent School District, as well as Austin Energy and the City of Austin, we held a ceremony inspired by athletic signing events to spotlight students pursuing careers and technical education upon graduation.
9. To meet job seekers where they are, we’re now co-located with key local partners
Dedicated Workforce Solutions Capital Area career counselors now have a permanent home at Austin Community College District’s Northridge Campus. The move is part of a new co-location formed in order to connect students more seamlessly to city and county funding for workforce training.
Workforce Solutions has also strategically co-located with other training providers and community organizations, including Austin Public Library, Texas Building Trades Council, and more.
10. We were awarded a $100,000 grant from Texas Mutual grant for workforce development
Grant funds from Texas Mutual Insurance Company expanded students’ skills training opportunities with Elgin Independent School District. Workforce Solutions is one of 44 recipients of Texas Mutual’s annual workforce development and training safety grant.
For this grant, Workforce Solutions and Elgin ISD expanded the district’s Auto Tech Pathway program by purchasing industry standard professional equipment and providing associated OSHA Basic 10 training and interactive and experiential safety training.
RELATED: We received $45,000 from JFF and New Profit to design and launch a pilot initiative in October to implement the IBM SkillsBuild learning platform. This pilot will be part of the Workforce Development Board Digital Skills Pilot Initiative, led by JFF and New Profit, and funded by Google.org and IBM.
As cases of respiratory illnesses spread across the Austin metro, the importance of providing quality child care in a safe environment becomes all the more important. To support our providers, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Austin Public Health hosted curbside pickup events for providers to receive cleaning supplies and at-home testing kits for COVID19 at no cost on December 9 and 10 at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center.
Over the two days, we distributed 20 pallets’ worth of supplies to 134 providers. These included 1,600 cans of spray disinfectant, 620 buckets of disinfectant wipes, 760 bottles of hand soap, and 620 cases of gloves. Austin Public Health provided hand sanitizer, masks for adults and children, gloves, and at-home testing kits for COVID19. These providers care for 7,431 children across Travis County.
One of the providers was Shannon Saldana at Austin Community College Children’s Lab School. This full-day, year-round early childhood program has 12 full-time and 15 part-time staff and cares for 44 children.
“I was excited because we are running low and it’s hard to find masks and gloves sometimes,” Shannon said. “The cost of things has gone up, so finding the little things and not having a high cost or a long wait time is helpful.”
For Sharon Knight, director of Tarrytown Children’s Center, the rising costs of necessary supplies has been an ongoing challenge for her 14 staff to care for the 56 children at their center.
“I am so happy that someone is thinking about child care and the larger picture, instead of us trying to scrape together, ask parents for more, and try to dig into our funds,” Sharon said.
“This has really saved us during this three-year period, and I honestly don’t know what we would do without it because finding supplies has been almost impossible. I am very appreciative of what Workforce Solutions does,” said Sharon.
Tarrytown Children’s Center is a 4-star rated provider in the Texas Rising Star program, the highest rating available. The Texas Rising Star program is for child care providers who meet quality requirements that exceed the state’s minimum licensing standards and that are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, and social development of children in care. In return for their commitment to quality, providers receive numerous benefits including enhanced reimbursement rates, learning materials and equipment, child development college course scholarships, and more.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is committed to supporting providers in Austin who care for the children of our region’s workforce. By providing care in a safe and nurturing environment, Austin’s child care providers are helping to develop a future workforce that is skilled and productive. Learn more about how we support child care providers.
The mission of Workforce Solutions Capital Area is to connect local people to local jobs. We are excited to welcome our newest member of our Board of Directors to help us bridge our region’s skills gap: Michelle Teakell. Michelle currently serves as Senior Technical Program Manager, Data Center Engineering at Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Get to know Michelle in our Q&A below, and connect with her on LinkedIn and to see her extensive experience in the tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Q: Where is your hometown?
A: Born in Abilene, raised in San Antonio.
Q: How did you first become involved with Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS)?
A: A friend and colleague, Melanie Flowers [WFS’ board chair], was telling me about all the good work being done and I kept asking questions about how I could help. The tech space in Austin is growing so fast, and there’s a skills gap to be filled.
Q: How is WFS a go-to resource for employers in Austin?
A: Workforce Solutions is a good place to match industry skill demands with skill set development in the community.
Q: What is the value of connecting local people to local jobs?
A: Locals have a longer retention rate.
Q: How does upskilling benefit your industry?
A: Overall, the tech labor market in Austin is increasing. The benefit of upskilling is filling that need with pre-existing talent who want to grow their skills.
Q: How does your organization support growing Austin’s workforce from local programs and schools?
A:AWS Academy courses are offered at Austin Community College and The University of Texas at Austin.
Q: How has skills training helped you develop your career?
A: I’m a forever-student. I love developing my own personal skill set.
BONUS QUESTIONS
Q: What does your ideal day in the Austin area look like?
A: I’m a morning person, so my ideal day starts early with a casual jog with my kids on their bikes or scooters. Then in the afternoon, I would love to catch a live University of Texas (football or basketball depending on the season) game. Then grab an early dinner at Chuy’s to beat the crowds!
Q: Is a hot dog a sandwich?
A: No way. Ketchup doesn’t belong in a sandwich.
Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
A: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Really, it’s not worth it.
