2020 Impact Report

Workforce Solutions Capital Area

ALL IN for our parents & children · for our job seekers & employers · for rebuilding our economy

Highlights

What they’re saying

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In 2020, Workforce Solutions Capital Area became the first responder for employment.

In a matter of days, a declining unemployment rate that had lasted for years spiked into the double digits due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Workforce Solutions quickly pivoted to a virtual space to assist all impacted members of our community—students, workers, parents, businesses and more—in a safe and effective way.

The Austin metro area is now one of the fastest recovering in the nation, with many industries experiencing job growth. Our hard work and our partnerships help to make it possible.

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Highlights

5-Year Impacts (2016-2020)

Austinites are better off after receiving our services

16,292

Travis County residents directly supported by WFS

indirectly impacting 41,927 family members & 17,698 children

93%

Employment rate for laid-off workers

92%

Employment retention for families participating in our child care program

$317M

Total post-program wages earned by our customers

▲$103M

Total post-program wage increase compared to pre-program earnings

▲$9,807

Average post-program wage increase per customer

Who We Served FY20

We are here to serve Austin’s workforce and children and parents

5,846

Future Workforce

Children ages 0-12

245

Emerging Workforce

Youth ages 14-24

13,208

Current Workforce

Adults ages 18+

3,789

Business & Industry

Employers

COVID Response (Mar-Dec 2020)

Since the pandemic first struck in March, we never stopped serving our community

$4.3M

In enhanced reimbursement funds distributed

to help child care providers stay open and address increased operating costs

$3.1M

In local funding invested in Phase 1 of the RE:WorkNOW rapid training model

to increase services to laid-off workers

$532.5K

In stabilization grants distributed

to help closed child care providers defray ongoing fixed costs so they can eventually reopen

23K+

Students reached in 5 ISDs and 25 campuses

to introduce students to career programs and postsecondary education options

What They’re Saying

Workforce Solutions has been an integral part of Austin’s economy for years, and never more so than during this past year.

Senator Sarah Eckhardt

State of Texas

I sincerely appreciate Workforce Solutions Capital Area’s commitment to community-wide goals as they work to efficiently and effectively help get Texans more skills that lead to higher earnings.

Chairman Bryan Daniel

Texas Workforce Commission

Travis County is excited to continue supporting Workforce Solutions in their work to rapidly empower people in this new economy.

Judge Andy Brown

Travis County

Workforce Solutions has a proven track-record of success in linking local people to local jobs and assisting our most vulnerable residents, including lower-income Austin residents and those who are experiencing homelessness.

Mayor Steve Adler

City of Austin

Our approved Medical Assistant program in partnership with Workforce Solutions and Austin Community College improved the talent supply for this in-demand field.

Mark Sherry

Regional HR Director, Baylor Scott & White Health

I have never seen such commitment in helping our organization build a pipeline to our registered apprenticeship programs.

Leonard Aguilar

Secretary-Treasurer, Southwest Pipe Trades Association

At Bank of America, we see Workforce Solutions as a critical partner in the effort to build and maintain the workforce we need to keep Austin vibrant.

Nikki Graham

Austin Market President, Bank of America

Texas Mutual is proud to support Workforce Solutions and the Community Workforce Plan as we work to lift 10,000 residents out of poverty.

Jackie Sekiguchi

Community Affairs Manager, Texas Mutual

Workforce Solutions delivers the critical connections we need to share our programs with local jobseekers, hiring managers, and supporting nonprofits in our regions.

Sherry Wynn

CSR Manager, IBM

Through our relationship with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, Applied Materials has benefitted from a variety of programs that have helped to build and fill our pipeline of talent.

Mark Derderian

Global Manufacturing Training Institute Manager, Applied Materials

See More

Read the full report for more on our work, partnerships, and labor market in 2020.

Read the Report

Got questions? Interested in partnering? Please use the form below to contact us.

Contact Us

If you are an Employer, please use the form below to contact us directly.

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