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Category: Blog

Austin Transit Partnership and Workforce Solutions Capital Area launch partnership to develop Austin’s mobility workforce

AUSTIN, Texas–Austin Transit Partnership and Workforce Solutions Capital Area today announced a partnership that will aim to develop Austin’s workforce to accommodate the expanding infrastructure projects in Central Texas. The two organizations will create the region’s first Workforce Mobility Industry Sector Partnership and Workforce Infrastructure Action Plan that will seek to build skilled talent from within the Austin community to meet the employment demands of the region as Project Connect progresses.

“I congratulate Austin Transit Partnership and Workforce Solutions Capital Area on this endeavor, and I am confident the partnership will have a positive, long-lasting impact on the Austin community,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said. “ATP has been committed to increasing our city’s mobility since its inception, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s dedication to uplifting job seekers is unmatched in our community. I look forward to their collaborative achievements in the years to come.”

The Workforce Mobility Industry Sector Partnership will result in recommended oversight opportunities for infrastructure funding, enabling efficient and productive means to align workforce development resources through mobility, transit and infrastructure projects. Recommendations will include processes to reach underinvested

communities, as well as wraparound service needs.

“As Austin’s population grows and the region continues to be a destination for businesses across all sectors and industries, our infrastructure needs to expand and improve,” Greg Canally, executive director of Austin Transit Partnership, said. “We need to make sure every Austinite has equitable access to transportation throughout the city, and Austin Transit Partnership is working to achieve this goal. Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the perfect partner to ensure that as we build and grow, the Austin workforce is ready to meet the increasing demand for employees in construction, engineering and beyond.”

According to JobsEQ, a provider of labor market data and demographics, the Austin metro area currently employs 103,898 workers in the local construction and transit-related industries. The demand for workers in those fields is expected to increase to 142,657 over the next decade, with many of those jobs needed for Austin and the rail expansion within Project Connect.

“Austin is brimming with untapped talent needed to fill the thousands of jobs our future mobility and infrastructure projects, including Austin Light Rail, will generate,” Tamara Atkinson, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Ensuring Austin has the skilled workforce needed to meet the demands of our growing region is paramount, and we are ready to serve as the hub for filling and growing mobility roles in operations, management and beyond.”

The partnership will kick off in April with Workforce Solutions analyzing the community’s mobility and infrastructure workforce ecosystem. The work will include a comprehensive study on the supply and demand of occupations in construction, skilled workers and related industries. Additionally, it will contain an assessment of current worker availability, job training capacity, academic readiness of job seekers and more.

Prior to delivering the action plan, Workforce Solutions is also charged with educating leaders on the value of training local workers for infrastructures needs and will include one to two best practice visits to cities that are using mobility funds to create stronger and more resilient communities.

ATP was created by CapMetro and the City of Austin after voters approved the provision of dedicated funding for the Project Connect System Plan. ATP is committed to delivering a core light rail system that connects people with jobs and destinations in an equitable manner and within an established budget. Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which connects local job seekers to local jobs, will coordinate with ATP, CapMetro, the City of Austin, the Community Advisory Committee and other mobility/transit entities to ensure there is skilled talent ready and available to take on jobs in the industry as the system expands.

For more information, including the Austin Light Rail March 21 community meeting, please visit ATPTX.org.

# # #

About Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the non-profit organization that serves as the leadership and governing body for the Austin/Travis County area workforce system. They are responsible for the planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in the Capital Area. Learn more at WFSCapitalArea.com and follow along on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

About Austin Transit Partnership

Austin Transit Partnership was created by the City of Austin and the Capital Metro Transportation Authority as the independent entity, accountable, and responsible for the financing, design, construction, and overall implementation of Project Connect—the transformative, voter-approved investment in new transit services. ATP’s charge is to deliver on the Austin voters’ transit vision in partnership with the community – and in a way that embeds equity, sustainability, and transparency as overarching priorities.

March 3, 2023
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Named One of the Best Places for Working Parents in 2023
Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the local workforce development board for Austin-Travis County, is excited to announce its 2023 recognition as one of the Best Places for Working Parents in Austin by Early Matters Greater Austin.

Best Places for Working Parents™ is a first-of-its-kind business self-assessment promoting research-backed policies that benefit both working parents and businesses’ bottom line.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area has supported early childhood success for many years and the pandemic has only made the need more acute. For that reason, we are proud to collaborate with Early Matters Greater Austin and invite you to become a part of this growing, national movement of business leaders that are proving family-friendly is business-friendly.

Through a short, confidential online self-assessment, businesses can see if they qualify for a Best Place for Working Parents™ designation and view how their company compares to other companies of similar size and industry. Qualifying businesses who take the assessment will be promoted through local media outlets and receive unique branding opportunities. The online, self-assessment can be found here.

Why is this initiative important?
- 83% of millennials said they would or likely would leave their current job for another job with better family friendly workplace policies. Your company can be at the forefront of attracting and retaining top talent by earning this designation and showcasing your commitment to family-friendly policies.
- National research tells us that there is a serious business case to being family-friendly. More than 15 million U.S. workers have quit their jobs since April 2021, and 45% of those surveyed said needing to take care of family was a key factor in their decision. Offering family-friendly workplaces is a crucial component of getting Texans back to work, fueling our state’s economic engine.
- Our city thrives when children thrive because they are our future citizens, workforce, and leaders. Employers of every size and industry can play an important role in ensuring all children reach their full potential. Even though most employers are not directly involved in raising children, their support for family-friendly workplace practices is good for business and good for Austin.
About Early Matters Greater Austin

EMGA is an alliance of current and retired business professionals focused on the critical relationship between access to high-quality early education and our State’s long-term economic success. EMGA is dedicated to bringing the business voice to the table where appropriate to help ensure young children in Central Texas reach their full potential by entering kindergarten prepared to learn and succeed. To learn more or to get involved as a Best Place for Working Parents™, visit https://www.earlymattersgreateraustin.org/.

About Workforce Solutions Capital Area

Workforce Solutions Capital Area Workforce Board is the publicly-funded workforce board for Austin-Travis County. Through strong partnerships and strategic collaborations, we are leading the region’s workforce system in the development of a world-class workforce. To learn more about our services for job seekers, employers, parents, and children, please visit wfscapitalarea.com.
January 19, 2023
Top 10 workforce moments of 2022

2022 was a monumental year for our local workforce and Workforce Solutions Capital Area! We want to celebrate some of the great work done for our community connecting local people to local jobs. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue making a positive difference in the lives of job seekers and employers. Here’s a recap of some of our top moments from 2022, presented in no particular order.

1. We launched the ‘Hire Local’ plan, offering 1,000 scholarships for training programs

Austin currently has one of the hottest job markets in the country, but our community continues to grapple with equity concerns such as unaffordability. Alongside Austin and Travis County leaders, we publicly launched the “Hire Local” plan in May 2022 and also announced 1,000 new scholarships available for our workforce training programs. The goal of Hire Local is to connect local people with the skills needed to land in-demand, higher paying jobs so they can afford to stay in Austin.

“[Workforce Solutions Capital Area] wants you to know that they have these opportunities for you all. They’re here for you. So I really want people to reach out and just respond to them, see what they have to offer.”
Khalyl Woodson, Workforce Solutions training scholarship recipient

Read more

2. We celebrated the first Hire Local Award winner through the Austin Chamber’s Greater Austin Business Awards

We’re honored to have partnered with the Austin Chamber to create a new recognition for local employers helping to strengthen our regional workforce.

As part of the Austin Chamber’s Greater Austin Business Awards, the Hire Local Award recognizes one local company that embraces the responsibility of preparing our future generations for careers in Central Texas. Congratulations to our board member John Newman with Athena Manufacturing for winning the first ever Hire Local Award!

Read more

RELATED: Manufacturing is a key industry in Central Texas, with many businesses producing everything from microchips to medical equipment. Hear from a local company building its talented workforce by relying on partners like Workforce Solutions Capital Area and no-cost training resources like the Certified Production Technician program.

3. We partnered with CapMetro on a 1,000+ Project Connect job development

A new collaboration between CapMetro and Workforce Solutions Capital Area will help develop more than 1,000 local jobs as the transit authority revs up its Project Connect mass transit program.

As part of the collaboration, we will work alongside our education and business partners to identify possible candidates from our talent pools and fulfill CapMetro’s workforce needs.

Read more

4. We expanded apprenticeship programs in healthcare, manufacturing and tech with more than $500,000 in grants in hand

Apprenticeship programs allow local people to keep a source of income, getting paid while they train on the job for in-demand careers. Learning from the skilled trades apprenticeship program from partners like Local 286 Plumbers and Pipefitters, we have been able to envision apprenticeship in other in-demand industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and tech.

Read more

RELATED: We won first place for the 2022 Registered Apprenticeship Expansion Award at the Texas Workforce Commission Conference. It’s an honor to receive this recognition for building effective training pathways in growing industries.

5. We partnered with Central Texas Food Bank to feed and find jobs for those in need

We partnered with Central Texas Food Bank for an event called “Fed Today, Work Tomorrow” to help those in need get food and job placement assistance ahead of the holidays. We offered free meals for the first 100 people, and SNAP enrollment coordinators were on site to help people get signed up.

“Collaboration is at the core of our mission. And so, it can be difficult for folks to try and navigate a system and receive assistance or get information. Any time we can come together to provide a one-stop shop of information and resources in one place and provide a meal, it’s a win for us.”
Sari Vatske, president and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank

Read more

6. We are improving child care services and resources for low-income families

Low-income families may find it difficult to work or pursue an education and pay for child care without financial assistance. That is why we offer child care scholarships and corresponding providers to meet the needs of their families.

Currently, we work with more than 300 child care providers that are caring for more than 3,000 children.

Read more

Dr. Desmar Walkes, Commissioner Aaron Demerson, and Council Member José “Chito” Vela

7. At the Child Care Symposium, providers received opportunities to learn and connect

Providing eligible parents with financial assistance for quality child care is essential for these parents to work or train to better provide for their families. It also helps to develop the future skilled workforce of Central Texas. To help accomplish this, we host the annual Child Care Symposium for child care directors, owners and workers in Central Texas.

Read more

8. We connected industry to the classroom with the Teacher Externship Program

Last summer, we partnered with local school districts and employers from various industries for the third annual Teacher Externship Program. Our program strengthens relationships with local school districts to connect with the next generation of skilled talent. We connect industry to the classroom, supporting students in developing in-demand academic and technical skills for today’s workforce.

“The employer component was outstanding. I learned the value in sharing all the opportunities that our scholars have beyond just believing they need to go to a college/university to have the job of their dreams or their choice.”
Stacey Jackson, Manor ISD

Read more

RELATED: In partnership with Austin Independent School District, as well as Austin Energy and the City of Austin, we held a ceremony inspired by athletic signing events to spotlight students pursuing careers and technical education upon graduation.

9. To meet job seekers where they are, we’re now co-located with key local partners

Dedicated Workforce Solutions Capital Area career counselors now have a permanent home at Austin Community College District’s Northridge Campus. The move is part of a new co-location formed in order to connect students more seamlessly to city and county funding for workforce training.

Workforce Solutions has also strategically co-located with other training providers and community organizations, including Austin Public Library, Texas Building Trades Council, and more.

Read more about our co-location with ACC

10. We were awarded a $100,000 grant from Texas Mutual grant for workforce development

Grant funds from Texas Mutual Insurance Company expanded students’ skills training opportunities with Elgin Independent School District. Workforce Solutions is one of 44 recipients of Texas Mutual’s annual workforce development and training safety grant.

For this grant, Workforce Solutions and Elgin ISD expanded the district’s Auto Tech Pathway program by purchasing industry standard professional equipment and providing associated OSHA Basic 10 training and interactive and experiential safety training.

Read more

RELATED: We received $45,000 from JFF and New Profit to design and launch a pilot initiative in October to implement the IBM SkillsBuild learning platform. This pilot will be part of the Workforce Development Board Digital Skills Pilot Initiative, led by JFF and New Profit, and funded by Google.org and IBM.

January 11, 2023
Providing PPE for our Child Care Providers with Austin Public Health

As cases of respiratory illnesses spread across the Austin metro, the importance of providing quality child care in a safe environment becomes all the more important. To support our providers, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Austin Public Health hosted curbside pickup events for providers to receive cleaning supplies and at-home testing kits for COVID19 at no cost on December 9 and 10 at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center.

Over the two days, we distributed 20 pallets’ worth of supplies to 134 providers. These included 1,600 cans of spray disinfectant, 620 buckets of disinfectant wipes, 760 bottles of hand soap, and 620 cases of gloves. Austin Public Health provided hand sanitizer, masks for adults and children, gloves, and at-home testing kits for COVID19. These providers care for 7,431 children across Travis County.

One of the providers was Shannon Saldana at Austin Community College Children’s Lab School. This full-day, year-round early childhood program has 12 full-time and 15 part-time staff and cares for 44 children.

“I was excited because we are running low and it’s hard to find masks and gloves sometimes,” Shannon said. “The cost of things has gone up, so finding the little things and not having a high cost or a long wait time is helpful.”

For Sharon Knight, director of Tarrytown Children’s Center, the rising costs of necessary supplies has been an ongoing challenge for her 14 staff to care for the 56 children at their center.

“I am so happy that someone is thinking about child care and the larger picture, instead of us trying to scrape together, ask parents for more, and try to dig into our funds,” Sharon said.

“This has really saved us during this three-year period, and I honestly don’t know what we would do without it because finding supplies has been almost impossible. I am very appreciative of what Workforce Solutions does,” said Sharon.

Tarrytown Children’s Center is a 4-star rated provider in the Texas Rising Star program, the highest rating available. The Texas Rising Star program is for child care providers who meet quality requirements that exceed the state’s minimum licensing standards and that are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, and social development of children in care. In return for their commitment to quality, providers receive numerous benefits including enhanced reimbursement rates, learning materials and equipment, child development college course scholarships, and more.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is committed to supporting providers in Austin who care for the children of our region’s workforce. By providing care in a safe and nurturing environment, Austin’s child care providers are helping to develop a future workforce that is skilled and productive. Learn more about how we support child care providers.

December 16, 2022
Michelle Teakell joins Workforce Solutions Capital Area board of directors

The mission of Workforce Solutions Capital Area is to connect local people to local jobs. We are excited to welcome our newest member of our Board of Directors to help us bridge our region’s skills gap: Michelle Teakell. Michelle currently serves as Senior Technical Program Manager, Data Center Engineering at Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Get to know Michelle in our Q&A below, and connect with her on LinkedIn and to see her extensive experience in the tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Q: Where is your hometown?

A: Born in Abilene, raised in San Antonio.

Q: How did you first become involved with Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS)?

A: A friend and colleague, Melanie Flowers [WFS’ board chair], was telling me about all the good work being done and I kept asking questions about how I could help. The tech space in Austin is growing so fast, and there’s a skills gap to be filled.

Q: How is WFS a go-to resource for employers in Austin?

A: Workforce Solutions is a good place to match industry skill demands with skill set development in the community.

Q: What is the value of connecting local people to local jobs?

A: Locals have a longer retention rate.

Q: How does upskilling benefit your industry?

A: Overall, the tech labor market in Austin is increasing. The benefit of upskilling is filling that need with pre-existing talent who want to grow their skills.

Q: How does your organization support growing Austin’s workforce from local programs and schools?

A: AWS Academy courses are offered at Austin Community College and The University of Texas at Austin.

Q: How has skills training helped you develop your career?

A: I’m a forever-student. I love developing my own personal skill set.

BONUS QUESTIONS

Q: What does your ideal day in the Austin area look like?

A: I’m a morning person, so my ideal day starts early with a casual jog with my kids on their bikes or scooters. Then in the afternoon, I would love to catch a live University of Texas (football or basketball depending on the season) game. Then grab an early dinner at Chuy’s to beat the crowds!

Q: Is a hot dog a sandwich?

A: No way. Ketchup doesn’t belong in a sandwich.

Q: If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

A: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Really, it’s not worth it.

December 15, 2022
WFS Capital Area Awarded $45,000 from JFF and New Profit to Pilot IBM SkillsBuild initiative, grow Austin’s tech workforce
Workforce Solutions Capital Area has received $45,000 from JFF and New Profit to design and launch a pilot initiative in October to implement the IBM SkillsBuild learning platform. This pilot will be part of the Workforce Development Board Digital Skills Pilot Initiative, led by JFF and New Profit, and funded by Google.org and IBM.

Why it matters: Workforce Solutions Capital Area partners with IBM to offer the SkillsBuild digital learning platform to Central Texans. Our existing relationship with IBM positions us to utilize SkillsBuild as a resource to address the issue of how few training programs are financially accessible to low-income residents.

WFS Capital Area offers 44 training programs in IT through our partners—ranging from Adobe Certified Associate, Cloud Administrator, Project Management & Agile Scrum, and more—and expanding SkillsBuild as an offering offers more opportunities to residents interested in pursuing careers in tech.

Through this initiative, we will accomplish three goals:
1. Bridge the entry-level skills gap;
2. Increase opportunities for success by providing a stronger pre-training foundation for underrepresented populations in tech; and
3. Engage Austin tech employers to hire using skills-based hiring practices with SkillsBuild as a resource.
Leading our grant is Jessie Camarillo, Director of Technology Partnerships.

“This opportunity will help us by offering resources to grow a skilled workforce and engage tech employers in our region more intentionally to hire local, thereby diversifying their workforce,” Jessie said.

“We aligned this initiative with our community’s new Hire Local Plan to increase diversity in the regional workplace, and with the proven and employer-led workforce development strategy behind our Capital Area Technology Workforce Coalition, a tech sector partnership driven to build the tech industry in Central Texas and develop a skilled workforce with local talent,” said Jessie.

“We are joining tech executives around the Austin metro to work together and influence alignment around common solutions with awareness, training, hiring, and upskilling,” Jessie said.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is one of five workforce boards to receive this grant, and one of two in Texas.

Learn more about the Workforce Development Board Digital Skills Pilot Initiative here.
October 13, 2022
Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Austin Community College partner to improve outcomes for continuing education at Northridge campus
Dedicated Workforce Solutions Capital Area career counselors will have a permanent home at Austin Community College District’s (ACC) Northridge Campus. The move is part of a new co-location formed in order to connect students more seamlessly to city and county funding for workforce training.

Why it matters: Data shows that ACC students who receive funding for career training through community-based partners such as Workforce Solutions Capital Area are 1.7 times more likely to complete their education faster than those who do not receive support.

Student benefits: The partnership allows students to have direct access to funding and training for high-skilled and high-paying careers. In-demand certifications that will be immediately available at ACC Northridge include:
To apply or learn more about one of the above courses, please contact Maria Coleman: (512) 223-7662 · maria.coleman@austincc.edu
To apply or learn more about one of the above courses, please contact Marcela Nouzovska: (512) 223-7588 · mnouzovs@austincc.edu
What’s next: As the partnership grows, more certifications will be added, with the goal to co-locate continuing education staff at additional ACC campuses.

Am I eligible? Travis County residents are eligible for no-cost continuing education training if they are 18 years old, live in Austin-Travis County, are authorized to work in the U.S. and have been impacted by COVID-19.
October 6, 2022
Workforce Solutions Capital Area awarded over $500,000 in grants to expand local apprenticeship programs

AUSTIN, Texas – Workforce Solutions Capital Area is the recipient of $548,883 in grants to aid in expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs in the manufacturing, technology and healthcare industries. These grants were awarded by a mix of both public and private entities, including Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Healthcare Career Advancement Program (H-CAP). The industries supported by these grants have experienced a skills gap over the past several years, and the new apprenticeship opportunities will help Travis County residents earn higher wages while achieving a certification and on-the-job training that will help them advance their careers.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support from our community, which allows us to offer these apprenticeship programs and provide much needed opportunities to grow our region’s manufacturing, technology and healthcare industries,” Tamara Atkinson, chief executive officer of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Programs like these allow for the development of a highly skilled workforce, provide residents with the tools they need to get hired for high-paying jobs, and support employers with a diverse and talented applicant pool from which to recruit.”

Enrollment for these apprenticeships is currently open for those interested in careers in technology and healthcare. Enrollment in manufacturing is scheduled to open in January 2023. To apply or learn more about these apprenticeships, please visit wfscapitalarea.com/apprenticeships/.

September 1, 2022
At the Child Care Symposium, Providers Receive Opportunities to Learn and Connect
Providing eligible parents with financial assistance for quality child care is essential for these parents to work or train to better provide for their families. It also helps to develop the future skilled workforce of Central Texas. To help accomplish this, Workforce Solutions Capital Area hosts the annual Child Care Symposium for child care directors, owners and workers in Central Texas.
- This year, we held the symposium in person and virtually August 5 and 6.
In-person attendees gathered at the Joe C. Thompson Conference Center at UT Austin for a full schedule of training opportunities and to hear from speakers representing state and local governments and a fellow child care provider.
- On August 5, 85 directors participated in-person or virtually.
- On August 6, 234 teachers participated.
- Our grand total was 319 early learning professionals who received 1,750 hours of training at the Child Care Symposium.
Speakers included Aaron Demerson, Commissioner Representing Employers for the Texas Workforce Commission, José “Chito” Vela, Council Member representing District 4, and Dr. Desmar Walkes, Austin Travis County Health Authority.

The event’s keynote speaker was Reshaun Webb, an Early Childhood Education coach and trainer who also owns a child care center.

“At the City of Austin, we are doing everything we can to be supportive of working parents and their children. We’re hosting summer camps all summer long for kindergarten all the way up to high school to support working parents,” Vela said.

Dr. Desmar Walkes, Commissioner Aaron Demerson, and Council Member José “Chito” Vela

“Quality child care is a win-win situation for Texas employers and job seekers alike,” Demerson said. “I believe in the importance of supporting child care providers in growing their business and providing much needed services to the growing population of our state.”

Dr. Walkes provided an overview of monkeypox and how to help prevent the spread of infection.

“When we talk about essential workers, we talk about doctors and nurses, but what we really mean are child care providers,” Dr. Walkes said. “None of this is possible without you.”

What they’re saying:

For the directors and teachers who participated, the Child Care Symposium provided valuable learning opportunities and moments to connect with one another, whether in person or virtually.

“This is my first time as a teacher and am finding every day as a teacher is different, so all this information has been very interesting,” said one attendee.

“I loved the interaction and conversation. I also liked the opportunity to connect. The Workforce Solutions staff were super helpful and friendly,” said another teacher.

Workforce Solutions Capital Area works with 400-plus providers across Central Texas to provide care for over 5,000 children.

Go deeper.
August 24, 2022
Caring for Child Care Providers with Austin Public Health’s Support
For child care providers in Central Texas, providing quality care during a pandemic and a labor shortage makes for a twofold challenge as limited resources and rising costs impact care.

To support our providers, Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Austin Public Health hosted curbside pickup events for providers to receive at-home testing kits for COVID19 and gloves at no cost on March 4 and 5 at the Rosewood-Zaragosa Neighborhood Center.

Over the two days, we distributed 6,840 boxes of gloves to 127 providers. Austin Public Health provided 5,130 testing kits for centers located in zip codes with the highest transmission rates. The 127 providers care for 7,981 children across Travis County.

One of the providers was Annie Sabetti, development director at Trinity Child Development Center. Her 11 staff provide care for 48 children.

“The cost of gloves and other supplies is a lot for us right now so we are always on the lookout for anything the community can give back to us,” Annie said.

“Our center provides affordable child care to families in East Austin. We have a lot of families receiving scholarships. We were about to order more gloves, so I was excited when I heard about this event,” said Annie.

For Sharon Knight, director of Tarrytown Children’s Center, rising costs related to staff turnover has become a challenge for her 12 staff to care for the 54 children at their center.

“I am thrilled that Workforce Solutions helped us out. Child care has been so difficult—last year, we went through 24 staff members,” Sharon said.

“Our extra expenses to hire and onboard staff have been phenomenal. The fact that Workforce Solutions helps us out with all of these supplies makes a huge difference in how we can serve our families,” said Sharon.

Tarrytown Children’s Center is a 4-star rated provider in the Texas Rising Star program, the highest rating available.

The Texas Rising Star program is for child care providers who meet quality requirements that exceed the state’s minimum licensing standards and that are designed to enhance the intellectual, physical, and social development of children in care. In return for their commitment to quality, providers receive numerous benefits including enhanced reimbursement rates, learning materials and equipment, child development college course scholarships, and more.

“I love having these guys as mentors and working with them,” Sharon said. “The work that TRS does to support the interactions between teachers and children, how they support us in providing a foundation for the children is absolutely critical.”

Workforce Solutions Capital Area is committed to supporting providers in Austin who care for the children of our region’s workforce. By providing care in a safe and nurturing environment, Austin’s child care providers are helping to develop a future workforce that is skilled and productive. Learn more about how we support child care providers.
March 8, 2022