Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) partners with over 3,000 local businesses to invest in workforce development efforts in Central Texas. But we know that’s just a drop in the bucket. Over the past year, virtually every employer in our region is confronting unprecedented challenges in recruiting, retaining, and developing a skilled workforce.
To solve for these issues, Austin companies are leading the way by implementing upskilling strategies that provide pathways for long-term economic growth for their business, employees, and community.
WFS recognized six companies as 2021 Upskilling HEROES for building a higher-skilled workforce and more competitive economy through upskilling strategies:
Greystar Real Estate Partners
Recover Or Sacrifice Everything (ROSE) Counseling Center
Samsung Austin Semiconductor
Seedlings Gardening
Total Care Provider
Wells Solar & Electrical Services
Between these six companies, a total of 3,429 employees were upskilled, helping them upgrade their skill sets, earn higher wages while employed at the company, and remain competitive in the local workforce.
These companies’ decisions to invest in their employees addresses critical hiring needs and skills gaps and creates a steady pipeline of pre-vetted talent. Proactively developing a workforce with the precise skills, credentials, and experience that each business requires to fill critical positions has advanced these businesses as industry leaders in our region.
Companies are eligible for the award by participating in the annual Austin-Travis County Upskilling Survey, where WFS tracks companies that are increasing employee wages above $58,000 per year to get a pulse of the region’s economic health. By understanding the landscape of existing upskilling efforts, the Capital Area workforce board can demonstrate return on investment and advocate for additional funding to support local workforce development efforts.
Click here to learn more about the Upskilling Survey and Upskilling HEROES award.
Eddie Chien is the Senior Director of Human Resources at Luminex, a biotechnology company based in Austin, and a member of the Capital Area Board of Directors. We met with Eddie to hear his insights on:
How Workforce Solutions is a go-to resource for employers in Austin
The value of connecting local people to local jobs
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:
Highlighting employers on social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube) who are hiring, offering sign on bonuses and wage increases, and more
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.
More Americans are receiving their COVID19 vaccine, but the pandemic has not ended yet. During this time, the importance of creating safe and nurturing spaces for the children of working parents in Austin becomes more apparent. Many providers seek to continue offering care but have limited resources to do so.
To support them, Workforce Solutions Capital Area held curbside pickup events for providers to receive cleaning and PPE supplies at no cost on April 23 and 24 at First Workers Day Labor Center in Austin. The supplies included masks donated by Bank of America.
Over the two days, 198 providers picked up pallets of supplies, including hand soap and sanitizer, gloves and paper towels, bath tissue and bleach—more than 7,000 items in total. These providers care for 8,425 children across Travis County.
Thelma Herrera is the director at Rosie’s Day Care #3, where 10 staff care for 45 children. The center is open full time with five classrooms.
“I was excited when I heard about this,” Thelma said. “It’s hard to go place to place to find things, because one store might have something and another one doesn’t. This event is very helpful for us to keep our center and our children safe. It helps out a lot and I appreciate it.
“We will sanitize the kitchen and the bathrooms, the doorknobs, just about everything, and the toys the children play with throughout the day,” Thelma said.
“I want to thank Workforce Solutions and Bank of America for helping with the supplies. I really appreciate it, and I’m sure all the other providers also appreciate everything you do for us.”
At Promiseland Learning Center, 30 staff care for 200 children in the learning center and in afternoon care. Promiseland is a 4-star rated provider in the Texas Rising Star program, the highest rating available.
“Since the first time Workforce Solutions did this in August 2020, it has been such a blessing for us, because of COVID and the restrictions,” said director Caren Vera.
“In the beginning, we really couldn’t get ahold of everything. These events have literally carried us through the whole process,” she said.
“Our numbers never recovered from COVID. On a Friday, we had 154 children in our learning center and on Monday it went down to 64. Any help was absolutely welcome at that point. We were terrified that we would go out of business. Thankfully, Workforce Solutions stepped up and helped us and it has been a blessing through the whole entire year,” said Caren.
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.
“We can continue to do the work we are called to do and that we love. Caring for children is our passion,” Caren said.
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 on our website.
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.
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.
The severe winter weather that struck Austin in late February left many residents without water for days. While the City of Austin worked hard to fix pipes and get the water flowing again, Workforce Solutions Capital Area partnered with Austin Public Health to distribute bottled water to child care providers on February 22 at the First Workers Day Labor Center. One hundred eight providers from all around the Austin metro area signed up.
In one day, our staff prepared 10 pallets of water for 108 providers caring for 5,591 children. Those 10 pallets equaled about 750 cases, or 18,000 bottles of water!
“I was so worried about being able to provide drinking water for the kids and staff, but this was such a relief,” said one provider. “Thank you so much for doing this and helping us!”
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 on our website.
On February 12, 2021, the Texas Workforce Commission honored Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Career Pathways Award for 2020.
Capital Area is one of four boards selected for this performance award, based on the percentage of:
Adult dislocated workers and youth participants in training;
Increase of participants in training; and
Training participants in training-related employment.
However, this honor comes to the Workforce Solutions Capital Area as the WIOA program — one of WFS’s most prominent funding sources — was reduced for FY21 by 15.1% on October 1, 2020. Federal funding for these services is determined by regional economic health from June 2018 to July 2019.
Many Travis County residents are still seeking work or training opportunities at a volume higher than before the pandemic, although WFS’ financial resources have been further stretched.
Offered at no cost for participants, WIOA is designed to give job seekers personalized support and training needed to find a job. To ensure trainees find jobs, WIOA provides funding for training in occupations with proven earning potential in growing industries in Travis Co, such as auto mechanics, computer support specialists, and nurses. WIOA-funded training is provided by a wide variety of certified training providers in Travis County.
Low-income adult workers and laid-off workers living in Travis County, who are usually eligible for WIOA and are most impacted by the pandemic, are more so affected as our capacity to support them decreases. 50% of the 167,000 jobless claimants in Travis County since March previously earned less than $30,000 per year. 75% made less than $50,000 per year.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area has earned recognition for the fourth year in a row for committing to hiring veterans with the “We Hire Vets” award from the Texas Workforce Commission. Today, 11 percent of Workforce Solutions Capital Area Board employees are veterans.
“Service in uniform teaches commitment and integrity, and our veteran team members demonstrate this every day in their roles serving the communities of the Austin metro area,” said Tamara Atkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Capital Area. “In 2018, we became the first workforce board in the state of Texas to receive this recognition, and we are honored to be awarded for a fourth time in 2021.”
Workforce Solutions Capital Area Board’s veteran employees served in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, and have a combined 19 years of service.
The Texas Workforce Commission, with the Texas Veterans Commission and Texas Workforce Solutions Offices, launched the “We Hire Vets” employer recognition program in July 2017. Employers whose workforce is composed of at least 10 percent military veterans are eligible for recognition, which includes a display decal for employers’ storefronts and an electronic decal to display on employers’ websites. The “We Hire Vets” program is part of the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Operation Welcome Home initiative.
Supporting Texas veterans is part of Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s mission. Veterans receive priority for job and training referrals at Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s three Career Centers. Career specialists at the centers are specifically trained to help veterans of the U.S. military to achieve maximum employment and training opportunities.
There are currently 1.7 million veterans in Texas, and an estimated 967,000 of these veterans are eligible for work, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Offering pre-apprentice dual credit courses can benefit schools and employers alike. For schools introducing career and technical education (CTE) programs, they can gain industry input and guidance from career professionals. For participating employers, they have the opportunity to help guide the next generation of skilled workers.
Electrical contractor TRIO Electric offers a pre-apprentice dual credit course at no cost for students who want to become the future electricians of Austin. The program is entering its third year at Navarro Early College High School and its first year at Travis Early College High School in Austin Independent School District (AISD). The course is part of a partnership between electrical contractor TRIO Electric, Austin Independent School District and Austin Community College.
Participating in the program for its second year is Premier North High School in combination with Premier Pflugerville High School. The Premier schools are ResponsiveEd public charter schools offering credit recovery programs.
TRIO hosted three virtual commitment ceremonies in January for newly participating students: 31 at Travis ECHS; 33 at Navarro ECHS; and 11 students from Premier.
Christina Steele-Hantgin, principal at Travis ECHS, said “You guys are pioneers, and you are building a legacy that will last long after you graduate high school.”
The program teaches students how to be safe, productive and skilled electricians as well as other employable and soft skills. The students attend the TRIO Pre-Apprenticeship Program virtually and safely in-person at their schools, where TRIO has built labs for the students.
Shelia Henry, Executive Director of High Schools at AISD, said, “You have made an investment into your own future. You are making grown men and women decisions about what you will do next in your lives. I wish you success!”
The dual credit courses, through Austin Community College (ACC), include Basic Electrical Theory, Introduction to Electrical Safety and Tools, Calculations, Construction Engineering Technology and Commercial Wiring. The ACC coursework will lead students to a Level 1 College Certificate, which crosswalks with the Texas Education Agency’s Electrical 1 and 2 requirements.
“Our partnerships go beyond just helping our students—we want to help you build a pathway,” Natalia Almanza, Manager of High School Careers Program at ACC, said.
“This program will lead you into a career where you can work your way into becoming a leader at TRIO and at the same time you can choose to work to earn money for college.” Beau Pollock, President and CEO of TRIO Electric
The program will offer learning outside of the classroom as well. Students will visit jobsites to observe electricians completing work, and can accept TRIO’s offer of paid full-time internships in the summer.
Beau Pollock, President and CEO of TRIO Electric, said, “You were told when you enrolled that if you worked hard, TRIO will extend a job offer to you upon graduating high school. This program will lead you into a career where you can work your way into becoming a leader at TRIO and at the same time you can choose to work to earn money for college.”
Elaine Diaz is the Education Instructor for TRIO and has 20 years of experience working in the skilled trades.
“I became a teacher when I started at TRIO Electric. I felt really comfortable with it, being that throughout my career I have worked with many first-year apprentices,” Elaine said.
“You are students in a unique position—the entire country needs trained electricians, and you will be trained to become great electricians. I wish you courage, strength and wisdom in your future as electricians,” said Elaine.
Julian Alvarez, the Commissioner Representing Labor for the Texas Workforce Commission, said, “You will be attending school but also receiving on-the-job experience through paid internships and finally paid employment. The commit you are making today will provide you with the knowledge and expertise that will carry you for a lifetime. Congratulations to the next future workforce of this great state of ours!”
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