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Category: Manufacturing

  • From Layoff to New Opportunity: Tirone’s Workforce Solutions Story

    From Layoff to New Opportunity: Tirone’s Workforce Solutions Story

    Update: Shortly after we filmed his story, Tirone connected with an employer at a Workforce Solutions job fair and found a new job.

    Tirone knows how quickly life can change.

    After being laid off from a manufacturing technician position, he suddenly found himself facing an unfamiliar job market. Like many experienced workers, he discovered that finding employment looked much different than it had years before.

    “Being a little computer illiterate is a downfall… everything is computerized now,” he shared.

    Unsure where to begin, Tirone turned to Workforce Solutions Capital Area.

    From his very first visit to the East Career Center, he found more than job leads. He found people willing to answer questions, provide guidance, and help him navigate a process that initially felt overwhelming.

    “When you’re laid off, it’s gut hitting,” Tirone said. “If you ain’t been down that road, it’s a rough road to go through.”

    That support didn’t end after one visit.

    As Tirone continued his job search, Workforce Solutions staff remained alongside him—connecting him with career guidance, hiring events, and additional resources as he worked toward his next opportunity. His journey reflects the coordinated support that helps many customers navigate periods of transition with confidence.

    Today, he encourages others not to wait until they feel stuck.

    “This is a great place for people who want a job. I think you should go to one of these [Workforce Solutions locations] and you can find something.”

    For Tirone, Workforce Solutions became exactly that—a place to start again.

    When asked to describe Workforce Solutions Capital Area in one word, his answer was simple:

    “Best.”

  • PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS: How a Growing Mid-Sized Texas City Builds a Technical Workforce

    PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS: How a Growing Mid-Sized Texas City Builds a Technical Workforce

    The holy grail of economic development is workforce development, and no one understands that better than Jerry W. Jones Jr., executive director of the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC).

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  • June 2025 Manufacturing Industry Snapshot, Austin Metro

    June 2025 Manufacturing Industry Snapshot, Austin Metro

    From robotics classrooms to registered apprenticeships, the journey to a thriving manufacturing workforce begins early and grows with every opportunity to learn, train, and upskill. In Central Texas, that journey is backed by strong regional partnerships linking K12 systems, higher education, and employers.

    • In-demand roles like CNC programmers and industrial engineers have grown by over 40% since 2019.

    • Students and veterans alike are engaging with hands-on training through programs like Semiconductor Technician Advance Rapid Start (STARS) and the Make It Center.
    • Employers are retaining top talent through zero-cost apprenticeship models, supported by local workforce boards and training providers.

    Explore how Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Opportunity Austin, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, and the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association are aligning efforts to grow and sustain our regional talent pipelines.

    Read the white paper for workforce trends and industry partnership highlights.

  • Job fair seeks Austin workers for infrastructure, manufacturing openings

    Job fair seeks Austin workers for infrastructure, manufacturing openings

    Austin-area job seekers interested in manufacturing careers will have the opportunity to meet with local employers at the 2025 Manufacturing Job Fair.

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  • ‘Center of the universe’: ACC announces plan to extend semiconductor training nationally

    ‘Center of the universe’: ACC announces plan to extend semiconductor training nationally

     

    Austin Community College ― a semiconductor workforce training leader in Central Texas that has been recognized with federal grants secured by U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett and gifts from major manufacturers NXP and Samsung ― is partnering with other companies to share its semiconductor training curriculum nationally, officials announced Wednesday.

    Central Texas has attracted significant manufacturing industry growth, but a Workforce Solutions report last year showed there are “significant shortages” in manufacturing technicians — a job that requires more than a high school degree but less than a four-year college degree — in the Austin metro area due to its rapid growth.

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  • Preparing Our Future Workforce to Support Manufacturing Growth | Manufacturing Industry Snapshot (Oct 2024)

    Preparing Our Future Workforce to Support Manufacturing Growth | Manufacturing Industry Snapshot (Oct 2024)

    The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, leading to material shortages and logistics disruptions that have impacted Austin’s growing manufacturing sector.

    As regional and industry growth continue (24% industry growth over the next 10 years), local manufacturers must address labor shortages and invest in developing their workforce to build a more resilient and adaptable supply chain infrastructure.

    Read the white paper for more labor market insights and see how Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA), and Opportunity Austin are preparing our future workforce to support industry growth.

    Looking to connect with future talent and strengthen your workforce in manufacturing and other industries? Become a Talent Ambassador for Opportunity Austin to get better access to local talent! Get started.

  • Job fairs seeking workers with disabilities, manufacturing experience

    Job fairs seeking workers with disabilities, manufacturing experience

     

    Workforce Solutions Capital Area is helping to promote a pair of career fairs to help connect local workers with prospective employers, including those looking to fill thousands of manufacturing and skilled trades jobs needed locally in the coming decade.

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  • ABC Copy Co Builds its Manufacturing Workforce with the Subsidized Employment Program

    ABC Copy Co Builds its Manufacturing Workforce with the Subsidized Employment Program

    Workforce Solutions Capital Area, through its dedicated Business Consultant in the Manufacturing Industry, has forged a strong partnership with ABC Copy Co, a well-established Travis County manufacturer. This collaboration has led to ABC Copy Co joining the Subsidized Employment (SE) program, which aims to connect employers with skilled job seekers while providing financial support to participating businesses. The initiative focuses on filling critical positions at ABC Copy Co, particularly in the customer service department.

    The Need

    ABC Copy Co, like many small local businesses, faced challenges in finding qualified candidates to fill three entry-level positions in their customer service department. As a company with a strong commitment to serving the Austin community, ABC Copy Co sought to hire individuals who shared their values of hard work, creativity, and dedication to customer satisfaction.

    However, the competitive job market and limited resources made it difficult for them to attract and retain the right talent. Recognizing the need for assistance, ABC Copy Co reached out to WFS Capital Area for support in finding suitable candidates.

    The Solution

    Our Business Consultant, specializing in the Manufacturing Industry, worked closely with ABC Copy Co to understand their specific hiring needs and requirements. Through a comprehensive screening and matching process, the consultant identified James R. as an ideal candidate for the General Production Helper position. James, a Travis County resident and job seeker, possessed the necessary skills, experience, and work ethic to excel in this role.

    To support both ABC Copy Co and James, Workforce Solutions Capital Area enrolled the company in the Subsidized Employment (SE) program. This program offers a 12-week internship, during which the employer receives financial subsidies to offset the costs of hiring and training new employees. James officially started his full-time (40 hours per week) SE Internship as a General Production Helper at ABC Copy Co on June 10, 2024, with an anticipated end date of August 30, 2024.

    Outcomes + Benefits

    The partnership between Workforce Solutions Capital Area and ABC Copy Co has yielded significant benefits. ABC Copy Co gained a valuable team member in James, who quickly adapted to his role and contributed to the company’s productivity and customer satisfaction.

    The financial support provided through the SE program alleviated some of the financial burdens associated with hiring and training new employees, allowing ABC Copy Co to focus on growing their business and serving their customers. This successful collaboration demonstrates the positive impact that Workforce Solutions Capital Area can have on the local community.

    By connecting employers with skilled job seekers and providing financial support through programs like Subsidized Employment, Workforce Solutions Capital Area contributes to the economic growth and stability of Travis County. Small local businesses, such as ABC Copy Co, benefit from access to a pool of qualified candidates and financial assistance, while residents, like James, gain opportunities for employment and professional development.

    As the partnership between Workforce Solutions Capital Area and ABC Copy Co continues to thrive, it serves as a shining example of how targeted initiatives, collaborative efforts, and innovative programs can bridge the gap between employers and job seekers, fostering a stronger and more resilient workforce in Travis County.

    Partnerships and Enabling Public Policies

    The success story of ABC Copy Co and James R. highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and enabling public policies in creating a thriving workforce ecosystem in Travis County. Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s collaboration with local businesses, such as ABC Copy Co, demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in addressing the unique challenges faced by employers and job seekers.

    Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s Business Consultant played a crucial role in facilitating this partnership by understanding ABC Copy Co’s specific needs and matching them with a qualified candidate. This personalized approach showcases the importance of having dedicated professionals who can bridge the gap between employers and job seekers, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship.

    Furthermore, the Subsidized Employment (SE) program, which provided financial support to ABC Copy Co for hiring James R., is a testament to the effectiveness of enabling public policies. This program recognizes the financial challenges that small local businesses often face when hiring and training new employees. By offering subsidies, the SE program encourages employers to take on new hires, creating opportunities for job seekers who might otherwise struggle to find employment. The success of the SE program in this case underscores the need for continued investment in similar initiatives.

    Our partnership with ABC Copy Co highlights the importance of fostering collaboration between workforce boards and private businesses. By working together, these entities can identify and address the specific challenges faced by different industries and communities. This collaboration can lead to the development of targeted solutions, such as customized training programs, job fairs, and mentorship opportunities, which can help bridge the skills gap and prepare job seekers for the demands of the modern workforce.

    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.

  • Central Texas employers eye new talent pool — laid-off Tesla workers

    Central Texas employers eye new talent pool — laid-off Tesla workers

    Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said in a statement that the Austin metro’s advanced manufacturing and transportation sectors have added about 5,000 jobs over the past 12 months.

    “We have seen a steady increase in job openings in the Austin metro, especially in advanced manufacturing,” said Atkinson, whose organization provides job training and assistance. “Manufacturers across Central Texas are eager to hire people with these skills.”

    Still, that doesn’t mean all of the laid-off Tesla employees will quickly find new jobs or have the skills that are viewed as in high demand in the metro. For them, job training and assistance agencies, such as Workforce Solutions and Skillpoint Alliance, say they stand at the ready.

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  • National Institute for Innovation and Technology Hosts Austin Semiconductor Panel, Awards GlobalFoundries & Applied Materials, Inc. for Pioneering Semiconductor Registered Apprenticeships

    National Institute for Innovation and Technology Hosts Austin Semiconductor Panel, Awards GlobalFoundries & Applied Materials, Inc. for Pioneering Semiconductor Registered Apprenticeships

     

    Today the National Institute for Innovation and Technology™ —the nation’s leader in semiconductor talent pipeline development and U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) national Intermediary responsible for establishing and expanding Registered Apprenticeships (RAs) throughout semiconductor and nanotechnology-related industry supply chains—awarded two semiconductor industry giants, GlobalFoundries® and Applied Materials, Inc. for their work in establishing semiconductor manufacturing RAs.

    Representatives from both companies were presented with the awards during “Texas Transistors: Building a Stronger Semiconductor Talent Pipeline,” a live-panel event held in Austin, TX, with stakeholders in the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries. GlobalFoundries was awarded for instituting the nation’s first semiconductor Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), which graduated its first apprentices last year at the company’s manufacturing facility in Malta, New York. The company also has a successful RAP at its Essex Junction, Vermont, manufacturing facility.

    The awardees participated in the panels alongside other experts from NXP Semiconductors® and ManpowerGroup®, and leaders at the Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area boards.

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