The Austin Infrastructure Academy will host its inaugural expo event later this spring to build up a local pipeline of infrastructure workers to support billions of dollars’ worth of mobility projects underway.
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Category: Mobility, Infrastructure & Skilled Trades
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Meeting the demand: new program builds pipeline of skilled workers to Austin’s construction industry
Texas Construction Career Pathways, a program run by Texas Climate Jobs Project, offered Travis County residents an opportunity that trains individuals in the construction industry and prepares them to join the workforce within unionized building and construction trades.
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A Letter to the Mobility + Infrastructure Sector Partnership
From Tamara Atkinson, CEO at Workforce Solutions Capital Area
As we close out 2024, I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your incredible support and dedication to the Mobility + Infrastructure Sector Partnership this year. Your hard work and commitment, both individually and collectively, have been instrumental in driving meaningful progress for the M+I sector and our community.
Throughout this year, you have generously shared your time and expertise through various working groups. In particular:
- You played a key role in developing the ‘Making a Living, Making Austin’ slogan, which will help elevate the visibility of infrastructure careers and highlight their vital role in our city’s growth.
- Your efforts have been instrumental in shaping recruitment and pipeline initiatives, with a strong focus on engaging young people and women in these fields. In our initial outreach to young people, we’ve heard from over 1,300 individuals about what they are seeking in a career, and these insights will be invaluable in diversifying and strengthening our workforce for the future.
- The working groups have also focused on identifying transportation solutions to better serve both employers and employees within the M+I space, ensuring that workforce mobility is not a barrier to opportunity.
AUSTIN’S INFRASTRUCTURE ACADEMY
A particularly exciting development that has emerged thanks to your valuable insights is the concept of the Infrastructure Academy. This idea has now become a reality, with the City of Austin approving the resolution in March and committing $5 million in resources this October to create career-building pathways for individuals seeking to enter the infrastructure sector. Additionally, Austin Community College has stepped up with a commitment to build a best-in-class facility that will support in-person engagement and hands-on training for aspiring workers.
Mid this year, a Design Committee was established to guide the development of the Academy, and your contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping its vision. Along with this committee, we have engaged key stakeholders, employers, training providers, and community-based organizations to inform and refine the academy’s design. These collaborations have ensured that the Academy will be grounded in the real-world needs of both workers and employers in the sector.
Looking ahead, our focus for 2025 will be on bringing the Infrastructure Academy to life, with the goal of making the service delivery model a reality. With your continued support, we are confident that we can create a lasting legacy that will strengthen the infrastructure workforce and provide long-term benefits to the Austin community.
WHAT’S NEXT?
We want to ensure that you are kept informed as we move forward into the new year. To help answer any questions and provide additional clarity, please refer to the FAQ that outlines the latest development. Please take a moment to review it at your convenience, and feel free to reach out with any additional questions.
Also, I’d like to invite you to our upcoming Sector Partnership meeting on January 30th from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Workforce Solutions Capital Area North office. This meeting will be an excellent opportunity to discuss our progress, review next steps for 2025, and continue shaping the future of the Infrastructure Academy and the sector as a whole. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you once again for your dedication, insight, and partnership. I look forward to working with all of you as we continue to make great strides in the new year.
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Connecting Local Talent with Opportunity: Mobility & Infrastructure Hiring Event Build Your Future
Workforce Solutions Capital Area recently hosted a successful hiring event for the growing Mobility and Infrastructure sector, bringing together 17 employers and 432 enthusiastic attendees. The event connected local talent with exciting career opportunities, helping job seekers meet recruiters, explore career paths, and apply for roles.
Why it matters: Many employers found qualified candidates for both entry-level and specialized positions, with some offering interviews on the spot. More than just filling positions, the event fostered meaningful connections, provided valuable career advice, and highlighted the need for skilled workers in our community.
Zoom in: The United States Postal Service, along with many other organizations, came together to provide job opportunities for individuals seeking their next career step. Our mission is to connect local talent with local jobs, and this event exemplified that by bringing companies directly to candidates. The goal was to support the community by filling vital positions that contribute to the growth of Austin.
Many of the companies at the event offered roles that are essential to our community. The United States Postal Service, for example, had several positions available, including Lead Automotive Technician, Maintenance Mechanic, Assistant Rural Carrier, Rural Carrier Associate, and City Carrier Assistant.
- These roles are in high demand to meet the mail processing needs and ensure timely delivery. To effectively serve the community, it’s crucial to have skilled talent to carry out these important tasks.
Partnering with WFS Capital Area gave local companies access to a diverse pool of talented individuals eager to start their next career. The event created a welcoming atmosphere where recruiters could engage with candidates in a more personal and meaningful way than through a Zoom call. It provided companies with the opportunity to showcase their organizations and connect with potential hires, setting them up for success in filling high-demand roles.
The event opened doors for many individuals in our community:
- For example, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office found three promising candidates for their Correctional Officer positions, who are now moving forward with required assessments.
- PeopleReady is currently onboarding several candidates, and the United States Postal Service is still reviewing potential hires, with updates expected soon.
Many attendees learned about the event through the news and were excited to connect not only with USPS, but also with other great local employers. Despite facing challenges in securing their next opportunity, many left the event feeling inspired and hopeful for the future after meaningful conversations with recruiters.
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.
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USPS positions, other jobs available at career fair Wednesday
Job seekers in Austin can look to the United States Postal Office for career opportunities this week.
USPS is hiring for several positions in various departments, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment, according to its website.
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Workforce Solutions holding hiring event for mobility, infrastructure jobs
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is hosting a Mobility & Infrastructure Hiring Event on Dec. 11 at the organization’s branch on North Interstate 35. The event offers the chance to explore career paths in the rapidly growing transportation industry as well as major infrastructure projects needed to complete multibillion-dollar efforts such as Project Connect, and the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.
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How local leaders in Austin and beyond are using ‘infrastructure academies’ to address their workforce needs
Building off a 2018 Brookings report that profiled the newly launched DC Infrastructure Academy, this piece aims to further contextualize and demystify what these academies are attempting to do by focusing on a new example in Austin, Texas. The details matter for how these academies are structured, who is involved in their creation, and the extent to which they are even addressing these workforce gaps. But Austin’s infrastructure academy is not just an ad hoc experiment; through its ongoing design and implementation, it can help inform how other regional leaders may consider launching similar approaches.
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Vocational skills center for homeless opens at Esperanza Community
The Other Ones Foundation, or TOOF, cut the ribbon on a vocational skills center that will serve the homeless population in Austin.
The John Paul DeJoria Vocational Skills Center opened Friday at the Esperanza Community. Its goal is to “host a new approach to homelessness services” by offering vocational training and services, according to a joint release from TOOF and JP’s Peace, Love & Happiness Foundation.
According to TOOF, the services offered at the vocational center are some of the fastest-growing and high-paying trades, as identified by the Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFSCA).
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Council OKs contract for new academy to train ‘workforce of the future’
City Council on Thursday approved a $5 million contract with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to start and manage the Austin Infrastructure Academy for 12 months. In addition to job training, the contract with Workforce Solutions includes the provision of child care services and job placement assistance for mobility and infrastructure related positions. Council approved the contract unanimously with Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison absent.
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City Council approves food plan, cadet housing study, construction contract, more items
Austin City Council held a meeting Thursday to go over multiple items focused on various aspects of city improvements.
The City Council also approved an interlocal contract with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to create the Austin Infrastructure Academy. The Academy will provide workforce training, and childcare services, plus job placement assistance for Austinites in construction, skilled trades, and operations.