Category: Strategic Plans

Goal 5: Child Care

We support workers and employers by increasing access to affordable high-quality childcare, promoting early learning, and fostering long-term self-sufficiency for families

OBJECTIVES

5.1 Access: Support expansion of childcare facilities into childcare deserts. Increase provider capacity through supply of additional slots.

5.2 Whole Family: Provide financial support through scholarships to local families. Leverage workforce services for individuals requesting and receiving childcare services.

5.3 Quality: Assist childcare providers to achieve higher Texas Rising Star ratings

5.4 Professional Recognition: Support advances in education and training for childcare educators. Support advances in building pipeline of early childhood educators

5.5 Promote Partnerships; Leverage public and private resources to support the childcare ecosystem of providers and families

5.6 Data Collection: Assess data collection capacity. Work in community to improve data collection and analysis capabilities. Create special report on childcare access for children ages infant to age 3. Create a dashboard annually to share the state of childcare in Travis County from WFS’ perspective.

5.7 Policy Tracking: Report to Childcare Advisory Council and Board of Directors (as appropriate) local, state and federal childcare policies that impact localized childcare system and services

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Goal 4: Upskilling

We assist frontline and mid-level workers in acquiring skills and higher-pay through employer-based partnerships

OBJECTIVES

4.1 Upskilling: Promote apprenticeship (in all its forms) for workers and employers

4.2 Wage + Training Support: Help employers with the cost of training their workforce through employer services and grants

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Goal 3: Employment

We connect employers with local talent to fill quality entry-level jobs and good-paying career pathways

OBJECTIVES

3.1 Seamless Hiring: Reduce hiring hassles by connecting qualified job candidates to employer job postings

3.2 Local Hiring: Promote local hiring by connecting employers to job fairs, hiring events, and training programs to meet Austin talent

3.3 Connections: Facilitate opportunities for employers to meet worker candidates through earn-and-learn opportunities, site tours, classroom visits, practicum experiences, and graduation celebrations

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Goal 2 : Career Readiness + Training

We remove barriers and equip workers with the skills they need to succeed

OBJECTIVES

2.1 Skills Alignment: Ensure that training curricula are aligned with regional employers’ needs and a 21st century workplace

2.2 Capacity: Grow capacity of regional training providers for industry priority occupations to meet the demand for entry and mid-level workers

2.3 Access: Increase residents’ access to training and good-paying careers. Partner with education agencies and community-based orgs to create easy entry programs

2.4 Persistence: Increase persistence and completion rates for all students

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Goal 1: Career Awareness + Enrollment

We cultivate interest in high-demand, quality entry- and mid-level careers

OBJECTIVES

1.1 Labor Market Info: Package and publish labor market and career information to support outreach activities

1.2 General Education: Design and execute campaigns targeted at key populations to raise awareness of high-demand, quality entry- and mid-level careers

1.3 Career Exploration: Provide meaningful career exploration opportunities for residents entering the labor force or considering changing careers. Such opportunities could include career orientations, career workshops, career fairs, job shadowing, work-based learning, site/workplace tours, and integration with career and technical education programs.

1.4 Provide Client Support + Referrals: Provide client support and referrals.  Increase partnerships with basic needs, transportation, and affordable housing agencies.

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Target Populations

We serve all Austin-Travis County residents but have identified three populations with greater need/opportunity based on local data. This additional focus helps us strategically improve areas of service within our Hire Local Plan. An individual can be in multiple target populations.

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1. PLACE-BASED FOCUS

Eastern Crescent, Manor, and Del Valle; Inclusive of City of Austin Districts 1, 2, and 3

Select supporting data:

• Manor and Del Valle are inclusive in the Eastern Crescent, which includes the below Austin Districts and zip codes:
  • Austin District 1 (East Austin): 78653, 78701, 78702, 78712, 78721, 78722, 78723, 78724, 78725, 78752, 78753, 78754
  • Austin District 2 (Del Valle area): 78617, 78719, 78744, 78745, 78747, and 78748
  • Austin District 3 (Lower East Austin): 78702, 78704, 78721, 78725, 78741, 78742, and 78745
• According to recent data from the City of Austin Planning Department and Census data:
  • Although migration has long been a major contributor of growth to the Austin region, recent figures show slower growth coming from domestic migration. For the first time in 20 years, in 2023, more people moved out of Travis County than moved in.
  • Areas of Travis County with the greatest population growth are mostly located in suburban areas.
  • Austin suburbs are among the nation’s fastest growing in 2023. Manor ranked #44 with a 6.3% population growth.
• Anecdotally, local elected officials and Workforce Solutoins Capital Area (WFS) board members have mentioned desire for WFS presence in Manor and Del Valle, especially relevant as WFS considers expanding its co-location options.
• WFS employment and demographic data support are high rate of service for individuals in this area.
• 5 of the 7 child care desert zip codes in Capital Area are in the Eastern Crescent
• According to the Children At Risk Child Care Deserts Map, 5 of the 7 child care desert zip codes in Capital Area are in the Eastern Crescent.
  • 78742 zip code has 0 child care seats per 100 children of working parents.
  • 78725 zip code has 11 child care seats per 100 children of working parents.
  • 78724 zip code has 18 child care seats per 100 children of working parents.
  • 78741 zip code has 19 child care seats per 100 children of working parents.
  • 78752 zip code has 33 child care seats per 100 children of working parents.

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2. YOUTH (AGES 16-24)

Not just “opportunity youth;” includes in-school youth; Special emphasis on young people with disabilities

Select supporting data:

• Ages 16-24 is the second lowest age range Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) serves, and can be inclusive of adults. This age range has experienced an uptick over the last three years—WFS has served an additional 100+ each year.
• WFS’ Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth funding tends to be around $2.3 million for a two-year period, which is $2.2 million less than WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker funding combined. However, opportunities exist to stretch Youth funding by co-enrolling into WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker programs.
• Young parents with children in child care have shown income growth up to 20% above the Federal Poverty Line when compared to young parents who do not place their child in care. (National Institutes of Health, using data from Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort)
• Young Texans aged 16-24 are crucial to not only our workforce but our economic future, yet 13.1% are neither in school nor working. (Children at Risk, 2024)
  • According to data from Senate District Profiles and House District Profiles, Texas House Districts 14, 21, and 25 see the following numbers of “disconnected” youth (not in school or working):
    • District 46: 1,642 disconnected youth
    • District 49: 1,235 disconnected youth
    • District 50: 1,802 disconnected youth
    • District 51: 1,495 disconnected youth

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3. VETERANS

Receive WFS priority services

Select supporting data:

• Programmatically, WFS has served 110 veterans over a three-year period. Employment-wise, WFS has served 4,298 veterans over a three-year period.
• Employers have a high interest in hiring veterans, and more coordinated, intentional work could be done to inform veterans of available WFS services.

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Give your input: Enter comments below. If you’re comfortable, please also note the organization you represent.

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