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Tag: K-12 Awareness

Education officials look to grade schoolers to overcome state nursing shortage

Texas does not have enough nurses to meet demand.

According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, a report shows that from now through 2036, some popular nursing careers like registered nurses and certified nurse midwives will be in a deficit compared to the ideal projections of nurses Texas should have.

For registered nurses, the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies (TCNWS) reports that the state will be over 50,000 short by 2036. The deficit for midwives isn’t as drastic, but the center still reports that Texas will be over 270 midwives short.

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March 2, 2026
Feb 2026 Future Workforce Snapshot, Austin Metro + Surrounding Counties
Across our 10-county region, more than 115,000 students are enrolled in industry-aligned, credential and degree pathways connected to high-demand careers.
- 50,000 students in healthcare
- 46,500 in STEM
- 13,400 in semiconductor & advanced manufacturing
- 6,500 in skilled trades
At the same time, thousands of job openings across these sectors show just how important early career awareness, work-based learning, and employer engagement truly are.

Our newest Texas Talent Experts report — developed in partnership with Opportunity Austin and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area — highlights how regional collaboration is aligning K-12 pathways with real workforce demand.

Read the white paper and see how Central Texas is strengthening its talent pipeline from the classroom forward.
February 13, 2026
High school students work with Austin Transit Partnership, learn about careers in transportation engineering

Ten Austin-area high school students went through an seven-week summer internship with the Austin Transit Partnership.

It was a chance to teach the students about careers in transportation engineering and planning.

The Austin area is filled with multiple billion-dollar infrastructure projects in the pipeline.

“We’re going to need about 10,000 more workers annually forecasting after 2040, if we’re going to deliver on the promise of these projects,” said Workforce Solutions Capital Area Director of Mobility Industry Partnerships Sarah Garza.

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July 16, 2024
Educators join Samsung externship program

In June, Samsung Austin Semiconductor hosted seven teachers from area school districts as part of the Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Educator Externship Program. The paid externship program allows educators to visit companies in Central Texas where they can gain insight into both the technical and essential skills required in an ever-changing workplace.

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June 29, 2024
Educators participate in externship program at Samsung Austin Semiconductor, leave with knowledge to help students

In June, Samsung Austin Semiconductor hosted seven teachers from area school districts as part of the Workforce Solutions Capital Area and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area Educator Externship Program. The paid externship program allows educators to visit companies in Central Texas where they can gain insight into both the technical and essential skills required in an ever-changing workplace.

Teachers attending the externship program can integrate what they learn into their teaching plans and classroom management to better prepare students for future careers.

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June 20, 2024
Local organizations, schools work to combat nursing shortages in Central Texas
A handful of Austin-area organizations and educational institutions are working to combat projected nursing shortages with special programs, partnerships and scholarships.

Ashley King, WSCA’s director of healthcare partnerships, said that in Austin:
- 16,000 nurses are currently employed
- An additional 4,000 will be needed in the next 10 years
Go deeper.
May 10, 2024
The Future Talent of Austin is in Our K-12 System | Future Workforce Snapshot (Apr 2024)

Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) regularly analyzes the regional labor market to identify the most in-demand industries and occupations.

Our new white paper gives a snapshot of Austin area future workforce so that local companies and organizations can prepare for their hiring needs. This report offers data and innovative solutions to meet talent demand through Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s K-12 initiatives.

Read the white paper for more on the future talent pipeline and where to look for strategies to attract and retain that talent.

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.

April 25, 2024
Local high schoolers get hands-on nursing practice at Texas State University Round Rock

Over 50 students from nine local school districts attended Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s biannual Nursing Academy on Feb. 21 for a day of interactive learning in Texas State University Round Rock’s five nursing simulation labs.

The academy is put on twice a year through WSCA’s Central Texas Healthcare Partnership, which consists of Baylor Scott & White, Ascension Seton and St. David’s HealthCare.

“There’s so much negative publicity in the news about nursing,” said Ashley King, WSCA director of health care partnerships. “We’re really trying to give a positive spin to a really great career opportunity and all of the different career options that they have—the different pathways, the different tracks that they could do.”

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February 26, 2024
Nursing academy aims to fill Central Texas nursing shortage

Central Texas high school students filled the classrooms at Texas State University’s Round Rock campus on Wednesday.

Health care professionals hope they may be a solution to a much larger problem.

“Our shortage is pretty substantial,” said Ashley King, the director of health care partnerships with Workforce Solutions Capital Area. “Nursing is the larger shortage that we have in health care, and with an expected 6 percent increase in the next 10 years.”

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February 22, 2024
Workforce Solutions to Host Nursing Academy

On Tuesday, September 26, Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, and the Central Texas Healthcare Partnership (represented by Baylor Scott & White Health, Ascension Seton and St. David’s HealthCare) will host a nursing academy for junior and high school students in the Central Texas area.

This event will allow students from Austin, Del Valle, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Georgetown, Hays, Leander, Lockhart, Pflugerville and Round Rock ISDs, as well as local charter schools and American YouthWorks, to explore nursing career paths, along with hands-on opportunities in Austin Community College’s simulation labs to experience wound care, injections, and IV lines.

The nursing shortage is the largest gap in employment for healthcare, and the event is designed to help inspire the next generation of skilled healthcare workers, as well as spotlight the value nurses provide to our community.

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September 19, 2023