Who We Are

We are a private, publicly-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit responsible for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. Simply put, we connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs.

OVERVIEW
OUR IMPACTS
MEET OUR TEAM
NEWSROOM

OVERVIEW

Mission

To lead in the development of a world-class workforce

Vision

All people (our human capital) are productive and our region is prosperous

Core Values

Diversity · Leadership · Collaboration · Innovation · Accountability & Results
WHAT WE DO

Meeting Travis County residents where they are, at any point of their career journey

To carry out our mission, we provide specialized services at no cost, including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, tailored business solutions and more. We also work hand in hand with the Texas Workforce Commission to assist people receiving unemployment benefits and help them successfully reenter the workforce. And with child care critical for families to work or continue their education, we assist families and providers through scholarships to afford quality care and partnership to increase the quality of early childhood education. Read more

Strategic Plans
The Hire Local Plan’s goal is to help Austin improve affordability by improving economically disadvantaged residents’ access to better economic opportunities. We do this in four ways: raising awareness of these opportunities, enrolling residents in skills training, placing them in higher-paying jobs, and upskilling underemployed workers. By better preparing local workers for in-demand jobs, companies can fill their roles at a lower cost and the community can see economic benefits as a result.

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA): Under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), local workforce development boards are required to develop a four-year strategic plan that identifies and describes policies, procedures, and local plans that align with the Texas Workforce Commission’s state plan.

OUR IMPACTS

Austinites are higher-skilled and earning more after receiving our services

Highlight

⬆$30K

Average annual wage increases for individuals after completing training through us in 2022

Meet Our Board of Directors

Mark Sherry

Baylor Scott & White Health

Board Chair

David Parks

enChoice Inc.

Vice Chair

Michelle Teakell

Amazon Web Services

Secretary/Treasurer

Melanie Flowers

Craft Education

Immediate Past Board Chair

Meet Our Leadership Team

Tamara Atkinson

Chief Executive Officer

Yael Lawson

Chief Operations Officer

Angela Benavides

Chief Information Officer

Louis Tatum

Chief Financial Officer

Jameson Cardenas

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Cynthia Sanchez

HR Generalist

Latest News

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