Category: Briefings & Performance Updates

Building Austin’s Skilled Workforce Together

Since launching in March 2025, the Austin Infrastructure Academy has brought together employers, educators, community organizations, and workforce partners to strengthen Austin’s skilled trades talent pipeline. 

Together, we’re helping local job seekers access training and career opportunities while supporting the workforce needs of Austin’s growing infrastructure and mobility industries.  

We are committed to mindful growth, continuously aligning with employer partner needs to ensure that training leads directly to meaningful jobs. Strong employer partnerships are critical to this work—grounded in shared workforce forecasts, training informed by employer needs, clear entry-level career pathways, and a commitment to hire locally. 

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What is the Austin Infrastructure Academy?

The Austin Infrastructure Academy is a local coalition of partners in government, education, business, and the community working together to grow Austin’s workforce in transportation, construction, and other skilled trades. 

We connect local people to training and careers that power Austin’s growth—removing barriers so they can make a living, making Austin. 

What we do: 

• Help employers find the workers they need​ 
• Support people in building long-term careers​ 
• Remove barriers including training costs, childcare, transportation, and gear​ 

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Year One by the Numbers

March 2025 – March 2026; Workforce Solutions Capital Area outcomes only

*Unemployment Insurance (UI) data typically reflects a two-quarter reporting delay​ 
**Median Current Salary: $41,600

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Year One Highlights

1. Preparing Talent for High-Demand Careers

Training programs supported through the Austin Infrastructure Academy are aligned with current employer demand across Austin’s mobility and infrastructure industries. Below is a snapshot of the entry-level training pipeline developed to meet those needs.

March 2025 – March 2026; Workforce Solutions Capital Area outcomes only

Target Occupation	Graduates Trained
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	41
Electricians	40
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	21
Carpenters / General Construction	6
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	2

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2. Strengthening Communication on the Job Site

Through a partnership with Texas Mutual, Freestyle Languages, Austin Safety Council, and Associated General Contractors of Central Texas, we launched a grant-funded Spanish and English language course designed to improve communication across job sites. 

A total of 61 participants took part in the program, helping strengthen workplace safety, teamwork, and career growth opportunities. 

Why this matters: 

• Safety‑critical work depends on clear, trusted communication across crews 
• Language gaps surface as job site risk, not just training gaps 
• Workforce readiness includes the ability to raise concerns before incidents occur 

Results include: 

• Spanish-language learners achieved a 74% attendance rate, up from 40% in a previous session.  
• 80% of Spanish-language participants advanced in the program 
• English-language learners reported improved confidence communicating on job sites 

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3. Employers Supporting the Local Talent Pipeline

The following employers represent a snapshot of the 140+ partners collaborating with the Austin Infrastructure Academy to strengthen the local talent pipeline across construction, mobility, utilities, transportation, and skilled trades. 

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Stories of Progress

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2. Building the Future Workforce

Building a strong workforce starts early by helping students explore real-world career opportunities through hands-on learning and industry exposure.  

Through intentional partnerships with schools, educators, and industry leaders,  we’re helping students better understand careers in transportation, construction, and other skilled trades while connecting classrooms to future opportunities..  

Recent K–12 engagement efforts included: 

• Metroplex Career Rally: 98 students from Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Pflugerville ISD, and American Youthworks visited Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 286’s union hall on March 12 to explore skilled trades careers firsthand. 
• Austin Contractors & Engineers Association Construction Expo: 151 students participated in hands-on activities and explored career opportunities in the construction industry on March 27. 
• Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) Design Build Competition: 100 high school students across seven teams designed and built structures under the guidance of industry professionals during the April 8–9 competition. 

Photo: CIEF Design Build Competition at ACC Riverside

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3. Expanding Opportunities for Women in Skilled Trades

Women remain underrepresented in infrastructure and skilled trades careers. To better understand barriers, motivations, and opportunities for growth, the Austin Infrastructure Academy gathered insights from more than 400 women across Central Texas. 

What we heard: 

• Women are drawn to work with visible community impact and strong safety culture 
• Clear information about career pathways and entry points matter. 
• Childcare and schedule predictability remain major barriers. 
• Workplace culture, belonging, and representation influence interest and retention. 

Download the Women in Mobility & Infrastructure Toolkit, for practical messaging, outreach tools, and recruitment strategies to help partners connect more women to careers in mobility and infrastructure.

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Looking Ahead

Austin Community College’s planned expansion in Southeast Travis County represents a major investment in the future of skilled trades education and workforce development. The facility will be the front door for the Infrastructure Academy in partnership with the City of Austin, Workforce Solutions Capital Area, and many other community partners, serving as a hub for hands-on training in construction, manufacturing, automotive technology, HVAC, welding, and related careers.