Tamara Atkinson, Workforce Solutions Capital Area CEO, was honored with the Friend of Manufacturing Award by Austin Regional Manufacturing Association (ARMA) for her leadership and continued investments in workforce initiatives toward the local sector’s growth over the last year.
Other 2020 honors recipients include Samsung Austin Conductor, Austin Community College District chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes, and Three Point Partners president Trey Salinas.
Every year, ARMA recognizes one company and individuals outside of manufacturing who contribute to the sector’s success. As the CEO of the Workforce Board in Travis County, Tamara Atkinson continues to invest in manufacturing programs that add value to companies and the region. The investment includes providing resources for a joint partnership between Workforce Solutions and ARMA that addresses workforce issues. This partnership has trained over 75 people in 2020, launched a campaign to promote manufacturing to youth, and administered a $150,000 grant to provide supervisor training to ARMA members. Her spirit of collaboration sets the tone for the workforce initiatives in the region.
Congratulations to our 2020 #ARMA Award winners! Company of the Year goes to @Samsung Austin Semiconductor. Friends of #Manufacturing awarded to Dr. Richard Rhodes @accdistrict, Tamara Atkinson @wfscapitalarea and Trey Salinas @3PointPartners. https://t.co/zZcREUX9gN
— Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (@MFGaustin) January 6, 2021
Atkinson says this award is motivation to continue the success that the association and local manufacturing community saw in the past year, even in the face of an economic crisis.. She has thanked the Workforce Solutions Capital Area team’s leadership, industry-leading partners in the association, and ARMA for recognizing Workforce Solutions and choosing her as a winner.
With Austin-area joblessness in November still two times pre-pandemic levels, Workforce Solutions sees a critical need to connect local job seekers to in-demand industries like manufacturing. One way is through RE:WorkNOW, a no-cost, rapid job training program, where graduates get connected to jobs in high-growth industries like IT, healthcare, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing. Workforce Solutions Capital Area will continue to partner with industry leaders like ARMA to bridge workforce skill gaps.
As the trusted advisor for connecting local people to local jobs, expectations are high for Workforce Solutions Capital Area. Still, Atkinson promises Workforce Solutions will stand unwavering by its mission for better jobs, better services, and better lives for all Travis County neighbors.
