Austin Community College is collaborating with area schools to connect students to medical careers through the Central Texas Healthcare Academy.
Category: Newsroom
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New program gives high school students dual credit options in healthcare
Thousands of students in Central Texas will have access to training and education that will set them up for a healthcare career, starting in the fall.
The Austin Community College District and Workforce Solutions Capital Area on Monday announced the launch of the Central Texas Healthcare Academy, which will be available to students within the Pflugerville Independent School District and Hays Consolidated Independent School District starting in the fall of 2026.
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It used to take 2 years to get affordable childcare in Travis County. Now, it’s taking months
Travis County is working with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the nonprofit that also manages the state’s affordable childcare list, to connect families with Raising Travis County scholarships.
Marjorie Vese Villafranco, a family services manager for Workforce Solutions, said the funding is coming at a crucial time for new parents.
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Travis County approves $17.6M in childcare contracts to expand access
Travis County Commissioners on Tuesday approved millions in contracts that they said would expand childcare access in the county, with a particular focus on after-school and summer programs, as part of a funding initiative voters approved in 2024.
The contracts with more than a dozen local nonprofits — including United Way for Greater Austin, Austin Sunshine Camps, Latinitas and the Greater Austin YMCA — collectively represent a $17.65 million investment in childcare across the county.
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Travis County approves $17.6M expansion of childcare programs
Travis County commissioners voted Tuesday on more than $17 million in new contracts aimed at expanding childcare, after‑school programs and summer opportunities for families across the county.
The $17.65 million investment fund contracts with 13 community partners through the Raising Travis County initiative, which was approved by voters to increase access to affordable, high‑quality childcare and out‑of‑school time programs.
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2026 hasn’t been a banner year for infrastructure jobs, workforce leaders say
It’s been projected that Austin has needed to add tens of thousands infrastructure and mobility jobs to meet workforce demands. But in 2026, workforce development leaders say the demand for these jobs hasn’t been as strong as expected.
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ACC purchases 560,000-square-foot facility to house Austin Infrastructure Academy
The Austin Infrastructure Academy officially has a permanent home after the Austin Community College District (ACC) purchased a facility that is expected to become the College’s second-largest campus.
According to a Thursday morning announcement from ACC, the 560,000-square-foot facility will also be a hub for workforce training in advanced manufacturing, building construction technology, automotive technology and collision repair, welding technology, and heating, air & refrigeration technology (HART).
It was acquired on Wednesday for $130,500,000, funded through the College’s 2022 General Obligation Bond, per the ACC announcement.
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Travis County $75M affordable child care initiative underway with scholarships, expansion plans
Child care scholarships, after-school care and other efforts are underway to grow a voter-approved initiative to provide more affordable child care for low-income families in Travis County.
In 2024, voters approved increasing the county’s tax rate to generate $75 million for Raising Travis County. So far, the county has awarded more than $28 million to the Workforce Solutions Capital Area nonprofit as well as local school districts and other community organizations.
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Central Texas Healthcare Partnership: Nursing Students Complete Community Work Abroad
Texas State University’s Department of Nursing completed their 4th Annual Study Abroad Panama Service-Learning experience in January. Twenty-two students and three nursing faculty members spent 10 days in rural Panama, engaging in meaningful, hands-on community work.
During the trip, students conducted community assessments, participated in clinic days hosted in schools across remote areas, and delivered health education sessions—known locally as charlas—for families and Community Health Workers (CHWs). A particularly impactful aspect of the experience was student involvement in CHW education, helping to support sustainable improvements in community health.
Over the course of the program, students connected with more than 200 community members and provided training for 10 CHWs. Educational topics included first aid, diabetes management, breastfeeding, hypertension, oral hygiene, and other essential health concerns.
This immersive experience not only strengthened students’ clinical and cultural competencies but also contributed to lasting health benefits within the communities served.
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Gov. Abbott launches Texas Jobs Council to address skilled worker shortage
In June, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said the Austin area currently has about $25 billion in infrastructure projects, including expansions of I-35 and the city’s airport. The mayor said about 10,000 people per year are needed to fill those jobs. However, Watson said if leaders allowed people to be trained for those jobs organically without additional training efforts, they’d only be about 4,000 people short.