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.
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.
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.
On May 11, Austin Community College District, in partnership with Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, Pflugerville ISD, Hays CISD and leading regional healthcare employers, announced the launch of the Central Texas Healthcare Academy, a regional partnership designed to help build the future of healthcare workforce in Central Texas.
The announcement, held at the ACC Health Sciences Regional Simulation Center at Highland Campus, brought together education leaders, industry partners and students to highlight a shared commitment to addressing the region’s growing healthcare workforce needs through early access, hands-on training and dual credit opportunities.
“I am really excited about this opportunity because I feel the program is more focused on what I want to do! Instead of just being in science classes, it is specific to the career I want to do, and I feel that I will be better prepared with this type of focused program.”
Presley M., incoming Hays High School student
Backed by a $6.3 million grant from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, with an additional $3.2 million co-investment from Bloomberg Philanthropies, the initiative will serve students across seven high schools in Pflugerville ISD and Hays CISD.
This funding builds upon earlier investments, including a $740,000 contribution from St. David’s Foundation that supported planning and partnership development, as well as a $300,000 contribution from the High Demand Jobs Training Fund Investment.
“Student success takes all of us. When K–12, higher education, and employers come together, students start earlier, gain real experience, and move into high-value careers with confidence,” Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, chancellor at Austin Community College District said. “ACC is proud to help bring that together to connect partners, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and create lasting opportunity. That’s how we care for our students, and it’s how we build the skilled workforce Central Texas needs.”
Austin Community College District (ACC), Hays CISD, Pflugerville ISD, regional healthcare partners, and supporters launch the Central Texas Healthcare Academy on Monday, May 11, 2026, at ACC Highland Campus in Austin, Texas.
Students enrolled in the academy will participate in healthcare-focused programs on their high school campuses while gaining access to college-level coursework, certifications and hands-on learning experiences. ACC will provide dual credit pathways that allow students to accelerate progress toward an associate degree or credential in healthcare fields.
The program is designed in close collaboration with healthcare employers, ensuring students graduate with the skills and experience needed to enter the workforce more quickly and efficiently. Regional partners including Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health, Central Health and St. David’s HealthCare are actively engaged in shaping curriculum and training opportunities.
“My science teacher introduced me to Radiology Technology, and it made me really interested in a healthcare career. I like that this program is focused on careers students are actually interested in, and I feel like it will help me prepare for my future.”
Sophia C., incoming Hays High School student
“Connecting local people to local jobs is at the core of what we do,” Yael Lawson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “The Central Texas Healthcare Academy brings that mission to life by aligning education and industry, giving students clear pathways to in-demand healthcare careers while helping employers meet critical workforce needs. This kind of partnership strengthens our regional economy and helps build a workforce that reflects and serves our community.”
The announcement event featured remarks from ACC chancellor, Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, as well as Pflugerville ISD superintendent, Dr. Quintin Shepherd and Hays CISD superintendent, Dr. Eric Wright, followed by a panel discussion with healthcare executives and workforce partners. Students from participating districts were also recognized, underscoring the real and immediate impact of the initiative.
The ACC-led academy allows students to begin healthcare training in high school, earn college credit, complete hands-on training, and prepare for high-demand careers in healthcare fields.
Across participating districts, hundreds of students have already enrolled in healthcare pathways, signaling strong early demand and momentum for the program.
The Central Texas Healthcare Academy represents a scalable, partnership-driven model for workforce development, connecting students to opportunity while helping meet one of the region’s most urgent workforce challenges.
“I would be most excited for Surgical Technology because it offers a fast-paced, hands-on environment that I can truly see myself thriving in. I am eager to use my skills to serve my community and contribute to something bigger than myself.”
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation: “Austin is growing quickly, especially in healthcare and life sciences, and we have an opportunity to make sure that growth is powered by the talent already here,” said Aliya Hussaini, Head of Health Initiatives, United States, at the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. “Across Central Texas, in every community, there are young people who are curious, capable, and ready to step into these careers. The Central Texas Healthcare Academy opens that path, giving students earlier exposure, real experience, and a more direct route into careers they can be proud of while building something that lasts for this community – a future where Austin is taking care of Austin. We’re proud to partner with Bloomberg Philanthropies to help build one of the strongest programs in the country, right here at home.”
Bloomberg Philanthropies: “The goal of our healthcare-focused high schools initiative is to create a model that can be replicated and scaled,” Jenny Kane, who leads the Career and Technical Education portfolio at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said. “We are so excited to partner with the Dell Foundation on the Central Texas Healthcare Academy to further demonstrate how education systems and employers can come together to create real pathways from the classroom to high-demand healthcare careers. By aligning curriculum, hands-on training, and industry needs, this model not only addresses critical workforce shortages but also ensures students graduate with the skills, credentials, and opportunities to succeed—and it’s a blueprint we believe can continue to be replicated across communities nationwide.”
Ascension Texas: “At Ascension Texas, we believe in the power of collaboration,” Tyler Yeoman, chief human resources executive at Ascension Texas said. “The launch of the Central Texas Healthcare Academy solidifies our commitment to ensuring the next generation of healthcare professionals is equipped and empowered with the skills to serve our central Texas community.”
Baylor Scott & White Health: “Baylor Scott & White Health has long understood that solving workforce challenges requires starting early and building clear, intentional pathways,” Mark Sherry, system vice president of people operations and service solutions at Baylor Scott & White Health said. “The Central Texas Healthcare Academy represents exactly the kind of partnership our region needs right now. By connecting high school students to real credentials, real experience and real opportunity in high-demand healthcare fields, we are not just filling workforce gaps, we are strengthening the future of care in Central Texas and creating lasting economic mobility for our students.”
St. David’s HealthCare: “Strengthening our healthcare talent pipeline is essential to the long-term health and vitality of Austin,” Beth Vaughn, assistant vice president of academic partnerships at St. David’s HealthCare said. “Through our partnership with the Central Texas Healthcare Academy, St. David’s HealthCare is cultivating the next generation of highly skilled clinicians, providing them with the hands-on experience and academic excellence needed to lead the future of compassionate care.”
Central Health: “Central Health is proud to be a partner in building the healthcare workforce Central Texas will depend on for generations to come. Through the Central Texas Healthcare Academy, our Department of Education and Research will connect K-12 students across the Austin metro region with professionals in nursing and other healthcare fields, providing educational opportunities and observerships that open doors to meaningful careers. For students who go on to complete healthcare course credit at ACC, we’re taking that a step further, bringing them into the Central Health system for hands-on experiential learning. We believe that expanding opportunity and building a stronger workforce means better care for the community we serve.”
Hays CISD: “At Hays CISD, our mission is to ensure every student has a clear pathway to success, and the launch of the Central Texas Healthcare Academymakes that mission 100% possible,” Dr. Eric Wright, Superintendent at Hays CISD said. “We are incredibly excited to offer our students this high-level opportunity to earn college credits and real-world training in four critical healthcare fields while they are still in high school. This would not be possible without generous support from Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, St. David’s Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. By partnering with Austin Community Collegeand Workforce Solutions Capital Area, we aren’t just giving our students a head start on their associate degrees, we are answering the call of our community. This academy allows us to provide a homegrown, highly skilled talent pipeline for our local healthcare industry, ensuring our students become the outstanding professionals who will care for Central Texas for generations to come.”
Pflugerville ISD: “Joining the Central Texas Healthcare Academy is a natural extension of PfISD’s commitment to opening doors for our students,” Dr. Quintin Shepherd, superintendent at Pflugerville ISD said. “Through this partnership with Austin Community College and our regional healthcare community, students can graduate not just with a diploma — but with real credentials, real experience, and a real future in one of the most in-demand fields in our region. PfISD has long been focused on preparing students for life after graduation, not just college in the abstract, but careers with meaning and economic mobility. The Central Texas Healthcare Academy gives our students a direct path into nursing, radiology, and surgical technology, fields where the demand is high, the pay is strong, and the work matters deeply.”
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.
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.
Texas State University’s Department of Nursing completed their 4th Annual Study Abroad Panama Service-Learning experience in January. Twenty-two students and three nursing faculty members spent 10 days in rural Panama, engaging in meaningful, hands-on community work.
During the trip, students conducted community assessments, participated in clinic days hosted in schools across remote areas, and delivered health education sessions—known locally as charlas—for families and Community Health Workers (CHWs). A particularly impactful aspect of the experience was student involvement in CHW education, helping to support sustainable improvements in community health.
Over the course of the program, students connected with more than 200 community members and provided training for 10 CHWs. Educational topics included first aid, diabetes management, breastfeeding, hypertension, oral hygiene, and other essential health concerns.
This immersive experience not only strengthened students’ clinical and cultural competencies but also contributed to lasting health benefits within the communities served.
Nayelly Granillo-Rios ’26 has experienced many firsts throughout her academic career.
She is the first in her family to pursue a college degree. The first of her loved ones to leave New Mexico and move to Texas. And now, she is helping shape history as one of the first graduates of the new nursing program at St. Edward’s University.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, a report shows that from now through 2036, some popular nursing careers like registered nurses and certified nurse midwives will be in a deficit compared to the ideal projections of nurses Texas should have.
For registered nurses, the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies (TCNWS) reports that the state will be over 50,000 short by 2036. The deficit for midwives isn’t as drastic, but the center still reports that Texas will be over 270 midwives short.
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.
