Las becas están disponibles para recién graduados que exploran planes de carrera posteriores a la escuela secundaria, así como para otras personas que buscan mejorar sus habilidades en sus carreras actuales.
Category: Job Seekers
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Shelley Lefebvre Pays it Forward by Giving Back
Shelley Lefebvre’s background is in education: she taught English and History for the seventh and eighth grade for over ten years. In 2015, she moved to Austin. The next year, Shelley’s life fell into a spiral when she went through several serious events, including incarceration.
A criminal record is a large barrier to securing employment and housing, but Shelley did not give up. “My first contact with Workforce Solutions came about in a way that was unfortunate. I had gotten in some trouble and went through a treatment program,” Shelley said. “I was in a steady decline, then a steady progression, step-by-step —rebuilding after the storm.”
In early 2020, while at a sober living center, Shelley met Barbara Ornales of the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL), an affiliate of the National Urban League providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of Central Texans. Barbara spoke to the residents about services offered by AAUL.
Shelley saw an opportunity to overcome her barriers and entered AAUL’s Returning Citizens Advancement Program (RCAP). RCAP recruits and serves formerly incarcerated individuals—returning citizens—who have experienced exclusion and barriers to housing, education, and employment leading to an improved quality of life.
Shelley was working at the time but was laid off when the COVID-19 pandemic struck Austin. While in AAUL’s program, she learned about a new service offered by Workforce Solutions for residents impacted by the pandemic. Shelley had connected with Workforce Solutions in the past and AAUL was connected with them currently—it was a connection that was, in Shelley’s words, “a godsend.” She finally saw hope and possibility through this partnership.
Barbara Ornales and Shelley Lefebvre Staff at the East Career Center assisted Shelley in enrolling in the federal Disaster Relief Temporary Employment (DRTE) program. In 2020, Workforce Solutions began participating in this program, which assists residents who had lost their jobs due to the pandemic. DRTE provides dedicated funds to cities and states to help respond to the pandemic recovery effort. The funds help to offset payroll costs for organizations doing humanitarian work directly related to the pandemic, such as AAUL.
Shelley began working at AAUL temporarily through DRTE. Her background in teaching, lived experiences and drive to help others impressed her colleagues at AAUL, and she was hired as a Case Manager to assist other Central Texans experiencing the same events that Shelley experienced.
Her work focuses on assisting those who are facing personal, professional, and economic challenges by connecting them to services and employment. “I am privileged to serve clients who sit in the chairs I once sat in myself. I want them to know I understand, and it is my goal to be a light on path that is not easy, but certainly possible,” Shelley said.
Everyone that I have encountered at Workforce Solutions have been very encouraging and the staff at AAUL has created a space for us to thrive. I appreciate all their effort—it’s been a very positive experience for me.
“I am in a satellite office at Clean Investments, an outpatient program that I had to complete myself. All of the steps, hoops and hurdles that one has to go through to rebuild and thrive again can be lessened when the person before them comes back to help the ones coming up after. It is a blessing to walk through those doors each day and truly believe that If I can do it, so can they. And I didn’t do it alone and they don’t have to either! I am passionate about helping other people who need the services that I needed when I first started,” said Shelley.
Shelley also spends her time building relationships with Second Chance employers to assist her judicially involved clients with gainful employment. RCAP wants to see each client on a career path with a livable wage in a job that has potential for growth.
“We are building bridges today, not burning them down. We are blazing a trail and setting the example for the people behind us,” Shelley said. “We want them have better opportunities for employment, to understand their rights when searching for employment, as well as the responsibility to suit up and show up in a way that shines a positive light on their community.
“It’s a challenging job and can be very demanding, but I am super grateful for all the support, guidance and resources provided to me. Programs like RCAP and DRTE are game changers for many of us,” she said.
She added, “Everyone that I have encountered at Workforce Solutions have been very encouraging and the staff at AAUL has created a space for us to thrive. I appreciate all their effort—it’s been a very positive experience for me. I think about the Case Managers I had and I strive to listen, partner and encourage as well as they did.
For Shelley, the events shaping her life in 2020 and 2021 are miraculous: “To me, it’s a miracle. I made choices that changed my life and it takes time to climb out. The beauty and the miracle in that climb is to now be in a position to use that experience to help someone else who will undoubtedly experience many of the same barriers that I faced.”
How WFS Capital Area supports judicially-involved job seekers: We offer assistance to all kinds of job seekers, including returning citizens. Our supports include job training as well as job searching. If you are facing employment barriers due to a criminal history, contact your nearest career center for assistance securing your next job or enrolling in training for an in-demand occupation.
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Texas’ extended unemployment benefits for jobless Texans will end in September
Texas will soon stop paying State Extended Benefits (EB) because of a decline in the state’s unemployment rate, announced by Texas Workforce Commission last week.
With the end of Extended Benefits, all enhanced unemployment benefit programs are no longer available for jobless Texans.
The state typically gives unemployed Texans 26 weeks of assistance, but high unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic triggered EB, which provides an additional 13 weeks of benefits during periods of high state or national unemployment.
For EB to trigger, the state’s three-month average unemployment rate needs to be above 6.5%. The last of the extended assistance will be given through the week ending Sept. 11.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area will continue its work to support and connect local people to local jobs. We will continue to offer services to assist individuals in finding employment and their training needs, and will provide additional information to persons needing job assistance.
Continued supports and services we offer for businesses and job seekers include:
- Virtual hiring events
- Posting and promoting available jobs through Jobs Now and WorkinTexas.com
- Scholarships for child care
- Scholarships for job training programs
- Individually working with each employer to fill job orders
- Highlighting employers on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube) who are hiring, offering sign on bonuses and wage increases, and more
- Offering financial incentives to businesses to grow their talent on the job
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to serve residents and businesses impacted by economic changes caused by COVID-19.
Residents seeking assistance can contact us at 512.549.4967 or visit wfscapitalarea.com to learn about our many other services and resources for job seekers, employers, parents, and students.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board is the publicly-funded workforce board for Austin-Travis County. Through strong partnerships and strategic collaborations, Workforce Solutions is leading our region’s workforce system in the development of a world-class workforce.
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Statement on Texas opting out of federal pandemic jobless benefits
The governor has announced that on June 26, 2021, Texas will stop participating in ARPA programs, including Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation Program (MEUC). Workforce Solutions Capital Area will continue its work to support and connect local people to local jobs. We will continue to offer services to assist individuals in finding employment and their training needs, and will provide additional information to persons needing job assistance.
Continued supports and services we offer for businesses and job seekers include:
- Virtual hiring events
- Posting and promoting available jobs through Jobs Now and WorkinTexas.com
- Scholarships for child care
- Scholarships for job training programs
- Individually working with each employer to fill job orders
- Highlighting employers on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube) who are hiring, offering sign on bonuses and wage increases, and more
- Offering financial incentives to businesses to grow their talent on the job
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three career centers across Austin are available by phone, email, or in-person to serve residents and businesses impacted by economic changes caused by COVID-19.
Residents seeking assistance can contact us at 512.549.4967 or visit wfscapitalarea.com to learn about our many other services and resources for job seekers, employers, parents, and students.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board is the publicly-funded workforce board for Austin-Travis County. Through strong partnerships and strategic collaborations, Workforce Solutions is leading our region’s workforce system in the development of a world-class workforce.
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18 Austinites are Becoming Electricians with this No-Cost Opportunity
Electrician is an occupation growing in demand in Austin, with an average entry level hourly wage of $16.55. To help connect residents interested in the skilled trades, we joined Lone Star Construction Trades Training (Lone Star) to host a five-day, 40-hour pre-apprenticeship class in March 2021 at the Austin Electrical Training Alliance!
Eighteen residents signed up for this training at no cost to them. The students first learned about safety, basic tools and circuity. Hands-on tasks included installing receptacle switches and lights. Next, they learn about ground fault interrupters (GFI), three-way switches and split receptacles. Finally, the students tackled more complex installations like four-way switches, dimmers and lighted receptacles.
Lone Star CTT is a 501(c)3 organization owned and operated by Darci Brennan and Rebecca Young. They are both Journeymen electricians with over 48 years of experience in the electrical trade. Lone Star is dedicated to providing no-cost hands-on training for women seeking a career in the construction trades.
Shane Mullen, who is hard of hearing, has lived in Austin for about two years and works at a lumber company. “My wife saw a post for this training on Facebook and sent it to me. I said I was interested, and she was totally supportive. She helped me fill out the application and sign up,” he said.
“I am really impressed with the two instructors. Their background, their stories, it inspired me,” Shane said. “Having this hands-on training shows me that I am picking this up. It’s really helpful being hands-on, and it’s developed my skill and knowledge of electrical tremendously.
“At first, I was a little overwhelmed. But family and friends told me I could do this. I have learned something new every day and I’m amazed at what I’m doing,” said Shane.
After completing Lone Star’s training, Shane’s future plans are to join International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 520 and become a journeyman.
“My first step is to sign up with the apprenticeship program and keep learning on a daily basis. I want to go to school and learn everything I can to be as knowledgeable as possible,” Shane said.
“I want to support my family and friends, and I want them to be part of this union and to join this program. I am seeing that I can be successful at this, and telling my friends, ‘You were right, I can do this!’” he said.
“My advice for the younger generation for moving up in the world is to utilize your talents,” Shane said. “Go to a trade school. Find your profession—it could be welding or electrical. Whatever you want to do, go for it. Go in and join up. It will lead you to a successful life and a successful career, and it will be a happy life.”
Graduates earn a certificate from Lone Star, as well as their Texas apprenticeship license and their OSHA 10 license (paid for by Lone Star). For a graduation gift, the students receive bags of tools, making them ready to begin working.
Rebecca Young is the Director and Electrical Instructor at Lone Star CTT.
“You go through your apprenticeship and become a journeyman. From there you have all these different paths to take—you can become a foreman, an instructor, an inspector,” Rebecca said. “When I started, I was the foreman, I drove the service van, and I was an inspector for a while. Now I am an electrical instructor. That journeyman license can take you anywhere.
“I’ve been doing this for 29 years. It was the best decision I ever made my entire life. I’ve made so much money and had so much fun doing it,” she said.
Krysta Willis was born and raised in Austin and has done general construction work. She sees Lone Star’s training as an opportunity begin skilled work right away.
“This is like shooting you straight to the job. It shows you what you will be doing,” she said. “I really like that we are spending enough time on each thing to grasp it and moving on. I’m learning a lot of things.”
“The fact that this is taught by other women is so great. This really makes it feel more inclusive and empowering to work with other women. I feel like even after the program, I can reach out to Rebecca and Darci and they will help me,” Krysta said.
Are you interested in launching a good-paying career in the skilled trades? We can help! To begin, contact your local career center and ask about your eligibility.
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Supporting Austin’s Live Music Scene with Austin Texas Musicians
With about 8,000 working musicians in Austin, this talented workforce is important to growing Austin’s hospitality and tourism industries and strengthening Austin’s reputation as a destination city. Serving as the trusted voice of Austin’s musicians is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit called Austin Texas Musicians (ATXM).
Pat Buchta, Executive Director at Austin Texas Musicians Pat Buchta is ATXM’s Executive Director and one of three members on ATXM’s board of directors. Along with the 20 volunteers on ATXM’s Musicians Advisory Panel, they act as the voice for thousands of local musicians.
“We started this mission about a year and a half ago to identify the needs of our music community and how to support them in Austin’s ever-changing landscape,” Pat said. “It’s become more unaffordable for musicians to stay here so we lose musicians when they move away—the very backbone that Austin identifies with is starting to diminish.”
In spring 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic swept into Austin, venues closed their doors without the certainty of knowing when the music would resume. ATXM partnered with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support Austin’s musicians and help live music return.
Speaking to Austin’s musicians to give them the info they need
ATXM launched a series of live broadcast shows in the evenings called Night Shift, with a focus on how to help musicians with receiving unemployment benefits or finding gigs during the pandemic.To do this, Pat connected with Tamara Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer at Workforce Solutions Capital Area. “Tamara came on the show and we started to build this amazing relationship almost immediately,” said Pat. “Tamara asked, ‘What can we do to support our musicians?’”
By partnering with ATXM, Workforce Solutions could speak directly to Austin’s musicians and keep them informed about changes to unemployment benefits, work search requirements, and more.
Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, spoke about how Workforce Solutions can assist Austin’s musicians on Night Shift on April 29, 2020.Appearing on Night Shift also presented an opportunity to promote RE:WorkNOW. This rapid training effort, launched in late 2020 in partnership with the City of Austin and Travis County, is designed to assist 260 jobless residents connect to no-cost, rapid, and safe training. We restructured our training and support model to rapidly prepare residents for a new career in one of Austin’s growing industries. Enrollees in RE:WorkNOW training courses receive $200 weekly stipends, career advising and placement. Childcare, transportation, and digital inclusion are also provided as needed.
Robin Spilman with Workforce Solutions Capital Area spoke about the RE:WorkNOW program on Night Shift on December 10, 2020.“We did a show talking with U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett and Workforce Solutions joined us to talk about RE:WorkNOW,” Pat said. “This is a great opportunity for musicians to get trained on new job skills and the great benefits that come along with that training.”
Pat added, “Workforce Solutions continues to join us for live discussions with our groups and it continues to be a very valuable resource for educating our community.”
Custom job lists for a talented workforce
Along with providing updates to unemployment benefits provided by the State of Texas and additional federal benefits, Workforce Solutions creates job lists for musicians seeking a different line of work until they can perform again.Our Business Solutions team creates tailored job lists for ATXM to provide for ATXMPRO members. “Every working musician out there we can identify who make their income mostly from live music now receives these tailored lists every week, lists just for them,” Pat said.
“The tailored lists have great work-from-home positions and positions that fulfill our members’ skill sets, like music teacher or instructor positions, that our audience is very excited to hear about,” said Pat. “Our members tell me it’s exactly what they need and that they look forward to it every week.”
Connecting with employers through virtual job fairs and video tutorials
ATXM and Workforce Solutions’ shared mission to support Austin’s musicians exists in a virtual space as well, with ATXM members regularly invited to participate in virtual hiring events with local employers and find job-searching tips in videos created by Workforce Solutions.“We share Workforce Solutions’ video content, like how to prep resumes and interviews, so our members are fully prepared at job interviews to take the next step,” Pat said.
“It’s very helpful to know we can let our musicians know they can come to these virtual events, safely at home, and meet all these potential employers and see where they fit in,” said Pat.
“We are so humbled and so honored that Workforce Solutions takes the time each week to focus on helping our community. It’s truly inspiring to know you guys are here for us.”
United together to make a positive difference
Live music is a part of what makes Austin, Austin—and assisting our musicians until the pandemic ends and beyond is an important part of how Workforce Solutions supports our community.“Without this assistance, a lot of musicians would not have the jobs and resources they need to put food on the table,” Pat said. “When they can’t do what they trained to do, what their profession is, they must look elsewhere for income—and Workforce Solutions has stepped up and provided this for us in every way possible.
“Our partnership has been one of the greatest things in helping our organization grow. Post-pandemic, I think this is something we will always have a need for,” Pat said, “and I would love to see us continuing in this direction and working together.”
Standing with Austin’s businesses and workforce
Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Business Solutions Team offers many services to assist businesses in Travis County to grow and strengthen their workforce. Learn more about how we can support your organization at our Employers page. -
COVID-19 Halted David Arredondo’s College Plans, but Workforce Solutions Helped Him Land a Job Fast
David Arredondo graduated from John B. Connally High School in Austin in 2020 with plans to begin his collegiate career as a soccer player. Despite COVID-19 interfering with his playoff-bound high school soccer season, David impressed college coaches and was slated to join Schreiner University’s soccer team roster. Then David learned COVID-19 would also put an end to Schreiner’s season.
Now newly jobless and with finances a major consideration, attending university was no longer an immediate option for David.
“Tuition was a problem. And I didn’t want to go to college and not get a chance to even play soccer. That was the reason I really wanted to go to college,” David said. “I was more comfortable staying in Austin to learn a trade and earn money.”
David would eventually enroll and earn his electrical apprenticeship license with financial support from Workforce Solutions Capital Area — including a weekly $200 stipend — through a RE:WorkNOW training course at Skillpoint Alliance.
RE:WorkNOW is the no-cost rapid training program for City of Austin and Travis County residents, launched by Workforce Solutions Capital Area.
In response to the workforce crisis brought on by the pandemic, participating RE:WorkNOW training providers have expanded rapid training programs in both remote and hybrid formats. Courses can take as little as four weeks, are aligned with industry expectations, and will result in high-demand jobs at better wages.
Eligible enrollees in RE:WorkNOW courses may receive $200 weekly stipends while they train, along with career advising and placement. Childcare, transportation, and digital inclusion are also provided as needed and as funds are available.
Program graduates are connected to jobs in growing industries like IT, healthcare, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing.
Starting a new life as an electrician
David first became interested in the electrician occupation while at Connally. Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) of Central Texas spoke to students in his geometry and construction class about the in-demand field. Two of his friends who had earned their pre-apprentice electrical certification at Skillpoint recommended he enroll.
David signed up for the four-week course beginning on October 5, 2020, at no cost and in a fully virtual format. Skillpoint provided course materials, tools, and laptops to the cohort before the class started. In the class, students learned about electrical safety, hand tools, and power tools, and received exposure to different career opportunities within the industry.
In the virtual training environment, Alan Wilson, a Skillpoint instructor, closely reviewed the trainee’s hands-on work wiring device boxes, bending conduit, and assembling raceways through webcam.
“Alan was an amazing instructor,” said David. “In the four weeks he had us, he taught us a lot.”
Students received individual “pods” to practice on, built for home use and similar to what they would typically work on in a training facility.
Support every step of the way
Shortly after enrollment, David was contacted by Hillary Silvas, a career counselor at Workforce Solutions Capital Area.
“Hillary told me how Workforce Solutions wanted to help me, how they can pay me for tools, and how they can pay me for gas money if I needed it to apply for jobs,” said David. “They wanted to see me employed and become an electrician.”
Before enrolling at Skillpoint, David had applied for jobless benefits but was told by the unemployment office that he wasn’t eligible. His reason for leaving was considered willful because he quit his job to attend college and not tied to the pandemic. David was thrilled to hear he qualified for $200 per week through RE:WorkNOW, just from being enrolled in the Skillpoint training.
“Before enrolling, I was asking my parents for money, doing chores for them, and mowing people’s lawns,” David said. “When I received the stipend, it felt like I got paid again. It helped me in that whole month.”
Hillary said Workforce Solutions’ team of career counselors daily hears the stories of many Austin and Travis County residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The entire Workforce Solutions team wants to make sure that they know we hear them and want to help,” said Hillary. “The RE:WorkNOW program specializes in removing barriers to training and providing support along the way.”
“Workforce Solutions made it super easy. Hillary respected that I wasn’t necessarily familiar with what was going on or what I had to do because I felt like a kid still,” said David. “She made the transition to being an adult really easy.”
A recharged career
David graduated on October 31. He received his industry-recognized certifications, including the Texas apprenticeship license and OSHA 10 license, to begin working in the field. He started his job of choice at Beckett Electrical in December, a commercial and construction contractor, earning $32K-$37K.
David said he felt like he had a “team that was helping me get hired,” with support from Workforce Solutions, IEC, and Skillpoint.
David hit the ground running and says he had proved his aptitude in the trade on day one. He credits the know-how to the training at Skillpoint and support from Workforce Solutions.
“I’m just glad I took that class because it really helped me,” said David.
Skillpoint executive director Kevin Brackmeyer gives all the praise back to students who were persistent in overcoming barriers brought on by the pandemic to complete their training.
“Despite 2020 being a challenging and difficult year, our students are committed to pursuing a new direction for their lives,” Kevin said. “Their persistence and commitment speak volumes to their work ethic and willingness to create a better life for themselves and their families.”
David offered this advice to others who may be in a similar situation: “If you really want to do something, you just have to put your mind to it and reach out for help. There are people that really want to see you succeed. I feel like I got in contact with the right people, and they helped me.”
David plans to continue his education through IEC to become a journeyman. Next, he wants to pursue a career in real estate, where he says his experience as an electrician will help him in the long run.
With financial backing from the City of Austin and Travis County, Phase 1 of RE:WorkNOW will provide 260 scholarships to jobless residents for no-cost, rapid, and safe job training. Space is limited, and enrollment into approved courses is handled first-come, first-served.
To learn more and apply, visit reworknow.org/austin.
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What the new COVID-19 relief bill means for your unemployment benefits
On Sunday, December 27, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which extends PUA and PEUC through March 13.
Below are a few key ways this new legislation affects your unemployment benefits.
Important note: There will be no gap in benefits for those who were eligible for PEUC or PUA on December 26 since the law implements the extension of benefits effective December 27, 2020.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) extended.
- The first payable week under the extension is week ending 01/02/2021 (for up to 11 weeks)
- Initial claims processed on or after 12/27/20 can only be backdated 12/6/20
- Initial Claims filed on or after January 31, 2021 have 21 days to provide documentation
- Continued Claim filers will be notified by 12/27/2020 of required documentation needed by TWC in order to continue processing PUA claims
- ID Verification requirements will need to be in place by January 26, 2021 for PUA claims and DOL will provide additional guidance soon
- PUA expires on March 13, 2021, however claimants with a balance and paid for week ending March 13 with entitlement have a phase out through April 10,2021
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is now available for an additional 11 weeks for a total of 50 weeks.
- First payable week is 01/02/2021 (for up to 11 weeks)
- Individuals currently collecting PUA following PEUC exhaustion will transition to PEUC (more guidance from DOL will be forthcoming)
- PEUC expires March 13, 2021 week ending with same phase out similar to PUA benefits, on April 10, 2021
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) resumes for 11 weeks at $300 and not $600.
- Individuals eligible for $300 if they receive at least $1 of benefits in a week
- There is no phase out period FPUC ends March 13, 2021
We will update this post as more information becomes available.
- For questions, please contact TWC TELECENTER at 800-939-6631, if you desire to speak with a TWC staff member.
- TELECENTER is open 7 days a week, from 7 am – 7 pm.
- Please note: TELECENTER continues to experience high call volume. Please be persistent and keep calling.
- You can also contact TWC with Larry the CHAT Bot – Virtual Assistant in the lower right-hand corner of TWC’s website.
- Type Contact > Click Submit > Click Request Contact from TWC > Include the following:
- Type your first and last name, phone number, email address, last 4 of your SSN and DOB > Click Next
- Please note: CHAT is also experiencing heavy traffic so it may take a week or so to receive a return call from TWC staff, but please make yourself available to receive the call. Note: TWC’s caller ID phone number is blocked.
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For Victoria Bradley, Every Day is an Opportunity to Be Better
Victoria Bradley was born and raised in Austin. She returned to her hometown in 2020 to take a mental health break from her studies at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Victoria planned to continue her studies in the summer, but the pandemic put her plans in a lurch.
Seeking a stable path despite the uncertain times, Victoria searched for assistance and discovered Workforce Solutions Capital Area. She received assistance from Anthony Alexander, manager at Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s career center in East Austin.
Anthony recommended enrolling in the Work and Education Readiness Continuum (WERC), a City of Austin- and Travis County-funded network of community partners. Once enrolled, Victoria participated in a subsidized employment program for eligible job seekers.
“At first, I thought that Workforce Solutions was only for people that were seeking job opportunities,” Victoria said. “Once I learned more about all the various programs that are offered, I was impressed by the way Workforce Solutions impacts the community so positively.”
Victoria interned at the East Center for four months while in the program.
“I had a positive experience and learned valuable skills that I will take with me on my career path. I was given the opportunity to learn a little bit of everything—front desk duties, data entry, filing, as well as inbound and outbound calls,” Victoria said.
“The staff took me under their wing and made sure I was ready for my next phase and always encouraged me to keep pushing forward. For that I am very grateful,” said Victoria.
“Every day is a new opportunity to be better and learn something new that can be carried throughout your life.”
In August, Victoria began working for BakerRipley, a Houston-based charitable organization under contract to manage Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s childcare program. She works as an information resource specialist at Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s North Career Center.
“We provide families with childcare assistance and so much more. My team members are knowledgeable and allowed me space to explore a working style that best suits me,” Victoria said.
“I interact with people from all walks of life, which I appreciate. Management is awesome and very patient. This position will keep you busy, but I would not change it for anything. The East center prepared me well for this role!” she said.
Victoria is now taking online courses with Stephen F. Austin State University and plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
For Austinites struggling to achieve goals impacted by the pandemic, Victoria offers this advice: “Every day you go in, be mindful of the goals you set for yourself. Be willing to learn and step outside your comfort zone,” she said.
“Every day is a new opportunity to be better and learn something new that can be carried throughout your life. My dad says if you take 90 days and buckle down, results will come. Things don’t come to you, so take the initiative to make your personal goals a reality!”
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Austinites are Gaining Skills and Launching Careers as Electricians, at No Cost
Electrician is an occupation growing in demand in Austin, with an average entry level hourly wage of $16.55. To help connect residents interested in the skilled trades, we joined Lone Star Construction Trades Training (Lone Star) to host a five-day, 40-hour pre-apprenticeship class from November 30 to December 4 at the Austin Electrical Training Alliance!
Students first learn about safety, basic tools and circuity. Hands-on tasks include installing receptacle switches and lights. Next they learn about ground fault interrupters (GFI), three-way switches and split receptacles. Finally, the students tackle more complex installations like four-way switches, dimmers and lighted receptacles.
Lone Star CTT is a 501(c)3 organization owned and operated by Darci Brennan and Rebecca Young. They are both Journeymen electricians with over 48 years of experience in the electrical trade. Lone Star is dedicated to providing no-cost hands-on training for women seeking a career in the construction trades.
Spectra Stewart learned about the class from a friend. She decided to apply so she could use the electrical knowledge for personal projects, and joined the class with her friend, Amy Jordan.
Spectra Stewart “I am building a tiny house and I want to stand with the electricians and know what they are talking about,” Spectra said. “I want to have more knowledge. My mom is in an old house and the wiring in dangerous and I want to fix that.”
For Spectra, learning electrical theory and installation is like learning a new language: “There is a lot of terminology, and if you are not familiar with it, it’s like a new language. Like P equals power, or black wire doesn’t do the same thing as white wire. It’s so fun and rewarding when you can make a light bulb come on.”
She added, “We are learning so much, so quickly. My brain is full at the end of every day. But we go over everything and it’s starting to stick. Every day is more fun.”
“For five years, I worked with a contractor and learned a little bit about the trades except for electric. I would absolutely recommend this, especially for women,” Spectra said.
“These ladies are the best. They are patient, knowledgeable and I am elated that I came across this. I signed up one of my friends and would do this again in a heartbeat. I would it again just to solidify the knowledge. This is something anybody can use, all the time, daily,” she said.
Graduates earn a certificate from Lone Star, as well as their Texas apprenticeship license and their OSHA 10 license (paid for by Lone Star). For a graduation gift, the students receive bags of tools, making them ready to begin working.
Amy Jordan is currently working as a restaurant manager but seeking a new career path. “My friend Spectra posted this training on Facebook, and I was like, I totally want to do this! I build stuff but have no experience with electrical. I thought, ‘I already know a little bit about it, so I am totally taking up this opportunity,’” she said.
“The most challenging thing about the class is looking at the blueprints and thinking how this will look like in real life. I am not used to this language yet. It’s a whole new language—every receptacle, every outlet, every light has a different language,” said Amy.
Amy Jordan installs circuitry while Neda Frazier observers. For Amy, the weeklong class has been a positive learning experience: “It doesn’t feel like work, it feels like playing, like we’re making things and building stuff. It’s a fun and supportive environment, and that is the most rewarding part for me,” Amy said.
“They want me to be here and I feel like my time here is valuable. I took a week off work and I don’t have to pay out of pocket. It’s important that Workforce Solutions wants to fund this training and it’s such an honor to do this,” said Amy.
“I’m thinking that going into this will be a great opportunity for the long term. I love building—I build greenhouses for friends and do handyman work for them. Now I can add electrical to that. This looks like an actual, awesome job prospect for the future,” Amy said
Rebecca Young “Everyone will always need electricity. I like that I can go in, do my job and make everyone happy,” Amy said.
Rebecca Young is the Director and Electrical Instructor at Lone Star CTT.
“You go through your apprenticeship and become a journeyman. From there you have all these different paths to take—you can become a foreman, an instructor, an inspector,” Rebecca said. “When I started, I was the foreman, I drove the service van, and I was an inspector for a while. Now I am an electrical instructor. That journeyman license can take you anywhere.
“I’ve been doing this for 29 years. It was the best decision I ever made my entire life. I’ve made so much money and had so much fun doing it,” she said.
“I can guarantee there are tough times, but it is so rewarding. When you have your electrical license, you can go anywhere. You have that freedom and skills that no one can take away from you. Women can do this, and it is an amazing trade to be in,” said Rebecca.
Lone Star will host another class in Austin from January 25 – 29, 2021. Austinites interested in applying can begin on Lone Star’s website.