Category: Mobility, Infrastructure & Skilled Trades

The United States Conference of Mayors passed a resolution supporting the implementation of workforce development programs for infrastructure projects in cities and towns across the country similar to the Austin Infrastructure Academy. It further resolves that these programs shall serve as a training hub contributing to community-based and union-based training programs designed to support real-time needs identified by both job creators and job seekers.

Read the full resolution.

Austin, Texas – On June 26, Workforce Solutions Capital Area announced that Texas Mutual Insurance Company and Google.org have made significant contributions to support the design of the Austin Infrastructure Academy. The contributions, $125,000 from Texas Mutual and $100,000 from Google.org, will fund the program design that will guide strategic direction for the Academy to meet its goal of connecting more local job seekers to career pathways in construction and operations.

The Academy will serve as a central hub that will integrate recruitment, comprehensive and unified training, and wraparound service support for job seekers in Austin’s growing mobility and infrastructure industry.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Texas Mutual and Google for contributing to the creation of this one-of-a-kind Academy for our community that will equip our workforce with the skills and education needed to secure quality careers in mobility and infrastructure,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Austin’s infrastructure workforce employs over 222,000 residents and is expected to grow by more than 80% by 2040, so the Academy is a critical component to help prepare the current and future infrastructure workforce to meet this high demand.”

The financial contributions made by large local employers Texas Mutual, which provides workers’ compensation insurance and is headquartered in Austin, and Google.org, which has several Austin-area offices employing local staff, will fund the creation of a strategic plan for the Academy, establish the budget forecast for the first five years, support the organizational capacity of Workforce Solutions Capital Area to serve as the hub and administrator of the Academy, and will develop the first two years of the Academy’s operation plan. Additionally, the funding will support the capacity to hire the initial Academy program staff.

“At Texas Mutual, we strongly believe in investing in the workforce of tomorrow,” Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual, said. “The Austin Infrastructure Academy represents a unique opportunity to empower individuals with the skills and support they need to build meaningful careers while contributing to the growth and vitality of our region. By collaborating with great partners, we can create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the construction site, and we look forward to seeing the transformative effect the Academy will have on the lives of countless Austinites.”

On March 7, 2024, the Austin City Council passed a resolution, brought forth by Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, to approve the establishment of a program to fund and support workforce development by launching the Academy. Since then, Austin Community College has announced its contribution to the creation of a physical location for the Academy at its Southeast Travis County campus.

“Google is committed to supporting initiatives that drive economic growth and create opportunities for local communities,” said Jim Anderson, vice president of North America Partner Ecosystem and Channels at Google Cloud and Google Austin’s site lead. “The Austin Infrastructure Academy will play a pivotal role to equip job seekers with the skills needed for successful careers in the mobility and infrastructure sectors. By investing in education and workforce development, we are helping build a stronger, more resilient future for Austin and its residents.”

For more information about the Austin Infrastructure Academy, please visit www.wfscapitalarea.com/about/industry-sector-partnerships/mobility-infrastructure/academy/.