After Travis County residents overwhelmingly voted ‘yes’ on a tax rate hike to help the county create more affordable child care, Travis County Commissioners approved two contracts to get that voter-approved taxpayer money out the door Tuesday.
Category: Newsroom
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Travis County launches $21M program to create 1,000 additional child care scholarships
Travis County is launching a new child care program called Raising Travis County.
On Tuesday, commissioners approved $21 million in funding to create another 1,000 child care scholarships for families. The money comes from a child care initiative voters approved last year.
Officials say this will help children and parents in Travis County.
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“It Was a Game Changer” | Beth on Partnering to Solve the Nursing Shortage
Beth Vaughn of St. David’s HealthCare shares how partnering with Workforce Solutions Capital Area is helping address one of healthcare’s most pressing national challenges: a shortage of qualified workers across critical roles.
Through collaborative efforts like the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, Beth and other employers are strengthening clinical rotation access, improving student engagement, and increasing the number of local nursing graduates — from around 600 in 2019 to nearly 1,300 in 2024.
“Coming together has made the difference in creating a stable pipeline here in Austin.”
This is what happens when community, education, and industry align for long-term impact — and lead by example.
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Workforce Industry Insights partnership to focus on growing Central Texas
Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (which serves Hays county), Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Opportunity Austin announced the Workforce Industry Insights partnership, a joint initiative designed to amplify the strength of the Central Texas workforce ecosystem and support the region’s rapidly growing industries.
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Opportunity Austin partners with Workforce Solutions Capital, Rural Capital Area to support regional industry growth
A new information partnership between Opportunity Austin and both Workforce Solutions Capital and Rural Capital Area will provide data insights into a variety of growing industries in the Austin metro area.
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Workforce groups unite to bridge urban and rural training gaps
A new workforce development partnership is coming together to better connect urban and rural training and education programs.
Opportunity Austin is teaming up with Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area to create the Workforce Industry Insights partnership that will generate research and insights on workforce trends and needs in Central Texas. The group will also develop white papers, case studies and data reports.
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is a nonprofit focused on Austin and Travis County, and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area covers nine counties — Llano, Burnet, Williamson, Lee, Fayette, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays and Blanco — that surround Travis County.
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Meet our new board member: Darren Okruhlik
We’re honored to welcome Darren Okruhlik to the Board of Directors at Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS).
Darren is a seasoned construction professional who has been building infrastructure in the Austin area for over 20 years. He is known for his operational leadership and ability to deliver complex infrastructure projects with a focus on constructability, quality, and community impact. He currently serves as Area Manager at Sundt.
In Darren’s own words:
“My commitment to building a stronger local workforce has both professional and personal roots. As a manager at Sundt Construction, I’ve seen firsthand what success looks like when you truly invest in your employees. Giving them the tools to be successful and then providing a strong support foundation allows for internal career growth. With this structure in place, we are able to both develop and retain a workforce capable of achieving great things.
On a more personal level, my tie to developing a local workforce was formed through lived experiences. Having called Austin home for over 20 years, I’ve seen various industries thrive in both the good times and the bad. One true constant in weathering whatever challenges are faced are the employees that continue to show up. Yes, they show up for a salary to support their livelihood. Yes, they show up to develop tenure to eventually move up in title. But they also show up to support those working alongside them and show up to help create a better Austin. This is only achievable if we continue to commit to developing these employees and supporting workforce initiatives.”
Grow your business through talent: Workforce Solutions is uniquely positioned to help employers of all industries directly connect with local job seekers and talent. We’re collaborative and can tailor services based on your company’s needs. Get started.
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Meet our new board member: Emily Gupton
We’re honored to welcome Emily Gupton to the Board of Directors at Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS).
A seasoned entrepreneur, executive, and passionate community builder in Austin, Emily is passionate about empowering women and fostering a network to make Austin a hub of technology, innovation, and next-gen leadership. She currently serves as Chief Technology Officer at SKG.
In Emily’s own words:
“I’m committed to building a stronger local workforce because I believe equitable access to opportunities, learning, and building new skills will transform lives and strengthen our Austin community. My work as a woman in the C-suite, along with my engagement in the technology community, has shown me the transformations that result by connecting people with the resources they need to grow and thrive in the world today. I’m passionate about preparing people for the jobs of the future, and ensuring our workforce is skilled, inclusive, and prepared.
I am honored to join the board of directors for WFS. I am excited to engage our local tech companies to understand what they need from a local talent pipeline, allowing WFS to develop impactful training programs, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, and more for the Austin community.”
Grow your business through talent: Workforce Solutions is uniquely positioned to help employers of all industries directly connect with local job seekers and talent. We’re collaborative and can tailor services based on your company’s needs. Get started.
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“Thank You for Demonstrating Love” | Jemie’s Story of Child Care and Support
When Jemie talks about her partnership with Workforce Solutions CCS, she doesn’t just mention funding or checklists — she talks about love.
With CCS support, she’s been able to access training, mentorship, compliance tools, and guidance — all of which have helped her center stay open and serve families with confidence and compassion.
“It’s not just an assignment. They care. You’re not alone in this.”
In Jemie’s words: “Thank you for demonstrating love.”
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“This Is My First Chance” | Aimee’s Story of Reentry and Renewal
After incarceration, Aimee was connected to Workforce Solutions Capital Area through emergency food benefits. With support from her career navigator and resources like transportation assistance, she found a job aligned with her purpose — and a life of self-empowerment. This is her first real chance.
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