Category: Newsroom

The Austin Infrastructure Academy is seeing early returns on its efforts to bolster Austin’s construction and mobility workforce, and talent should start to exit the new pipeline soon.

The academy, which launched in March, has seen notable interest from the private sector and job seekers over its efforts to connect locals to training opportunities in the construction industry. It was spawned by projections that Austin won’t have enough workers as it embarks on at least $25 billion in projects, including light rail expansions, I-35 upgrades, a new convention center and a larger airport — not to mention the usual private sector construction.

“We’ve seen slow momentum, but I think it’s going to increase over the next couple of months,” said Yael Lawson, the chief operations officer for Workforce Solutions Capital Area, which oversees the academy. “We’re training people now, so we’re going to start to see them graduating and hired.”

Workforce Solutions Capital Area has picked a leader to oversee a major push to bolster the region’s workforce.

Megan Fortson, who is now senior director of the Austin Infrastructure Academy, will help build out the infrastructure and construction workforce needed in the region to complete $25 billion in projects.

The Austin Infrastructure Academy — a collaboration between Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the city of Austin, Austin Community College and other local governments — officially launched in March. It’s tasked with helping fill the need for 10,000 new jobs annually in the infrastructure field that are being created through major projects like the expansion of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, the expansion of I-35, the redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center and the buildout of the Austin Transit Partnership’s light rail project.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) celebrated graduates working to fill trade jobs in Central Texas on Wednesday, while highlighting efforts to further close the gap.

Meeting the growing need is a challenge statewide. Texas has a shortage of workers in construction, manufacturing and other skilled trades.

On Wednesday morning, North America’s Building Trades Unions brought its national Opportunity Pipeline Tour to the UA Local 286 Training Center in East Austin to celebrate local graduates of an apprentice readiness program.