AUSTIN (KXAN) — According to Workforce Solutions Capital Area, there are more than enough jobs but not enough skilled workers in Austin.
The organization is trying to address the city’s skills gap through its Hire Local initiative. It released its 2023 annual report highlighting the initiative’s impacts.
“That is designed to close the gap by connecting local people with the skills needed in high demand jobs, high paying jobs, so they can afford to stay here in Austin,” said Chair for Workforce Solutions Capital Area Board Mark Sherry.
Sherry said the regional labor market’s top challenge is addressing the skills gap.
“The gap between the number of local jobs available and the amount of skilled workers qualified to fill the job.”
Mark Sherry
How ‘Hire local’ is helping
The initiative started in 2022 and was meant to encourage Austin-area employers to hire people within the community.
Workforce Solutions helps by providing people the training and certification to get those jobs.
“Looking at raising the awareness for the opportunities of these high demand jobs within our marketplace. Connecting Austinites to the skilled training through our training providers,” Sherry said. “Additionally, it’s placing them in what we hope are higher paying jobs.”
Some of the region’s highest growth industries include:
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Manufacturing
- Skilled trades
- Mobility and Infrastructure
“We see in just about all the industry sectors, an increase in residents that are being placed in these training programs and also moving into the high demand roles.”
Mark Sherry
According to the 2023 Hire Local Report, there have been improvements addressing the skills gap.
From October 2022 through September 2023, Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
- Helped nearly double the number of nursing graduates in the last five years
- Assisted 7,614 employers with awareness-raising, training, placement and upskilling efforts
- Invested $192,000 in upskilling efforts
According to the report, local hiring efforts throughout the Austin metro placed 14,870 people in focus industry training and education programs.
A real-life impact
It’s always been Holly Angell’s dream to become a nurse.
“I’m really passionate about helping people. I’ve always wanted to help people.”
Holly Angell
However, it didn’t always feel like it could become a reality.
“I overcame drug addiction, and I overcame homelessness too,” Angell said. “I got pregnant and I decided you know, time to straighten up.”
After getting sober, Angell found the Hire Local plan. She was able to take a six-week program that helped her get a job as a patient care technician at St. David’s.
“I got to work with mannequins and stuff. It was hands on, you know, learn how to draw blood,” Angell said. “It was really cool and Workforce paid for it.”
Angell is now taking pre-requisite courses at Austin Community College. She is preparing to one day apply for nursing school.
“I just want to inspire other people in my position to turn their lives around. Turn your life around and do good for others.”
Holly Angell
Austin Infrastructure Academy
Sherry said the Austin Infrastructure Academy is another project that Workforce Solutions Capital Area is working on.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson announced plans for a new infrastructure academy to help build a local pipeline of workers for major construction and transportation projects in the region.
The academy will do things like:
- align training programs with in-demand skills
- offer childcare and other wraparound services to eliminate participation barriers
- facilitate the matching of trained job seekers with job creators
“Workforce Solutions is proud to serve as the front door for the infrastructure academy,” Sherry said. “With this, what we’ll end up doing is exploring the future academy locations.”