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Category: Job Seekers

  • From the Desk of Tamara Atkinson–How to Find a Job

    From the Desk of Tamara Atkinson–How to Find a Job

     

    For Tamara, workforce development is personal. When she moved back to Austin in 1999 (after attending undergrad at The University of Texas), she had only $800 in her bank account, temporary housing and a baby with life-threatening health problems. Tamara needed a job to help her survive. The first company that gave her a chance was Workforce Solutions Capital Area (formerly WorkSource). The opportunity at Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the nonprofit responsible for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County, changed the trajectory of her life.

     

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  • Austin Community College to offer free job training to some unhoused individuals

    Austin Community College to offer free job training to some unhoused individuals

     

    Around two dozen people experiencing homelessness will soon have the opportunity to become certified in heating and air conditioning maintenance through free training offered by Austin Community College (ACC).

    The training is the result of a partnership between ACC and Urban Alchemy, the nonprofit that manages the ARCH and 8th Street shelters. Twenty-five people living at those shelters will be able to participate in the HVAC training program.

    According to Urban Alchemy, two representatives for ACC approached the ARCH eight months ago to start the program. After much collaboration between the shelter, Workforce Solutions and ACC, the free program is expected to launch this month.

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  • Pflugerville Public Library launches new online platform for skilled trades industry

    Pflugerville Public Library launches new online platform for skilled trades industry

     

    There are thousands of jobs in fields like construction, transportation and utilities that need to be filled in Central Texas.

    Pflugerville Public Library hopes to chip away at that number through its new online platform called Blue Career.

    According to Workforce Solutions Capital Area, this area will need about 10,000 more workers annually to deliver on various projects in the works.

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  • At Esperanza, ACC will provide crucial step out of homelessness: Job training

    At Esperanza, ACC will provide crucial step out of homelessness: Job training

     

    Not far from the trucks rumbling down U.S. 183, in front of the tidy rows of colorful cabins that provide shelter for the present, a tall blue building at the gateway to the Esperanza Community stands for something else.

    The future.

    Next month, the first 30 students will file into this building, all Esperanza residents eager to learn well-paying trade skills that will be their path out of homelessness. Half will pursue certification as heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, technicians. The other half will pursue certification as auto mechanics.

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  • New partnership aims to be a one-stop-shop for food and job assistance in Austin

    New partnership aims to be a one-stop-shop for food and job assistance in Austin

     

    Two organizations are coming together to better serve the Austin community. Wednesday, the Central Texas Food Bank and Workforce Solutions Capital Area announced their partnership, which aims to create a one-stop-shop for members to get their food and job needs.

    Being unemployed and needing help putting food on the table often go hand-in-hand. Now, people can get help with both at the Central Texas Food Bank headquarters.

    “We’re bringing staff resources right here co-located with the Central Texas Food Bank to bring workforce, job training services to customers that also receive services from the food bank,” Workforce Solutions Capital Area CEO Tamara Atkinson said.

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  • Food, job assistance easier to access in new nonprofit partnership

    Food, job assistance easier to access in new nonprofit partnership

     

    The Central Texas Food Bank is partnering with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to create a one-stop shop for community members to receive food and job assistance services.

    Both services will now be provided under one roof at the Central Texas Food Bank headquarters on Metropolis Drive. This comes as Travis County sees an increase in demand for these types of services.

    Sari Vatske, the CEO and President of the Central Texas Food Bank, said last year the food bank nearly saw 178,000 food insecure individuals and is anticipating about 208,000 people to go through their doors this year. That demand can be attributed to population growth and the high cost of living.

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  • Central Texas partnership creates one-stop-shop for food and job resources

    Central Texas partnership creates one-stop-shop for food and job resources

     

    The Central Texas Food Bank is teaming up with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to offer people job resources when they come in for food.

    There are Workforce Solutions career counselors stationed right inside the Benefits and Emergency Services offices at the food bank. Anytime anyone visits to get food, they can also be connected to in-demand jobs or career training and development opportunities.

    Workforce Solutions Capital Area CEO Tamara Atkinson said after looking at data, the group noticed its clients often need support, like food assistance, so this partnership makes sense.

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  • City of Pflugerville funds workforce training for residents

    City of Pflugerville funds workforce training for residents

    In partnership with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the city of Pflugerville is providing funding to support tuition-free job training through the end of the year for up to 20 eligible residents.

    The initiative is being funded by the city’s Community Development Block Grant, a federal grant the city receives annually. The money is intended to support affordable housing and suitable living environments as well as expand economic opportunities, according to city documents.

    Through the workforce training program, individuals will receive tailored training “to equip them with the necessary skills for in-demand occupations in industries quickly growing in Pflugerville, such as advanced manufacturing,” the release said.

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  • Workforce Solutions Capital Area joins City of Pflugerville for job training with a Community Development Block Grant

    Workforce Solutions Capital Area joins City of Pflugerville for job training with a Community Development Block Grant

    Exciting news for Texans in Pflugerville looking to gain new skills: Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the local workforce development board for Austin/Travis County, has received funding through a Community Development Block grant award from the City of Pflugerville to provide no-cost job training for eligible residents.

    Program participants will train to earn required skills for in-demand occupations in industries quickly growing in Pflugerville, such as advanced manufacturing. Eligible participants must reside within the Pflugerville city limits and meet federal standards for low- to low-to-moderate income.

    The Community Development Block Grant Program, led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

    WFS Capital Area will serve up to 20 Pflugerville residents through December with this funding. Pflugerville residents interested in participating can contact us to begin.

  • Training Austinites for Roles in Healthcare & Tech with QS Academy

    Training Austinites for Roles in Healthcare & Tech with QS Academy

    QS Academy is a premier provider of workforce development training throughout the United States, specializing in serving job seekers, military personnel, government employees, and professionals in the healthcare and IT industries. Their fundamental mission is to empower individuals to achieve their career ambitions through outstanding education and training programs. QS Academy and Workforce Solutions Capital Area have collaborated successfully for over three years due to our shared objectives. Together, we are dedicated to ensuring the success of participants interested in training, thereby enhancing their families’ financial prospects. Here’s a concise overview of QS Academy’s offerings:
    • QS Academy offers short-term, online career training programs leading to national certifications in Information Technology and Healthcare fields.
    • Our programs feature flexible start dates and utilize Bootcamp models, ensuring adaptability to individual schedules.
    • We prioritize equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pass National Credential Exams within a structured learning environment.
    • Students commit 16-20 hours per week to coursework, supported by monitored training and consistent outreach from our dedicated team.
    • One-on-one mentoring sessions are provided to enhance student learning and overall success.
    • Our Career Service team offers comprehensive job placement assistance, aiding students in securing employment upon program completion.
    • To facilitate learning, training materials include laptops (if needed), physical and/or electronic books, practice exams, and exam fees.
    QS Academy is deeply committed to providing top-tier education and support to our students, ensuring they are well-prepared to excel in their chosen field.