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Transforming Lives and Communities: Kevin Brackmeyer of Skillpoint Alliance

29:03

Earn and Learn Apprenticeships in Central Texas: Building Strong Talent Pipelines

38:01

Zyniah's Lived Experience Helps Her Support Job Seekers in Need

2:00

Quentin Hit Rock Bottom Once, Now He is a Counselor

2:33

Building Bridges: Mayor Kirk Watson on Austin’s Infrastructure and Affordability

20:14

Unleashing Austin's Workforce Potential: Introducing Austin Hires Local with Tamara Atkinson

5:30

Investing in Austin's Future: Vanessa Fuentes on Child Care, Affordability, and Infrastructure

Could improving childcare access, cost, and infrastructure radically change the quality of life in Austin?
Join us as we sit down with Vanessa Fuentes, Austin council member for District 2, who shares her firsthand experiences and bold initiatives aimed at addressing issues like childcare accessibility, transportation, and housing affordability. We tackle the critical issue of the 30 ‘childcare deserts’ in Austin, focusing on the exorbitant costs and the need to make it easier to establish childcare centers, especially in underserved areas. We explore Austin's efforts to invest in its youth through the summer youth employment initiative, highlighting successful partnerships with local businesses, such as the airport and Tesla, and emphasizes the crucial role of grocery retailers and healthcare providers in bridging food access and healthcare gaps in Southeast Austin.
Transportation and workforce development are also covered, as we discuss exciting projects like the new light rail line and airport expansion. With $25 billion worth of infrastructure projects on the horizon, the creation of Austin's Infrastructure Academy is a game-changer, poised to upskill workers and address workforce shortages. Tune in to discover how these initiatives not only enhance job accessibility but also foster economic growth and improve the quality of life for all Austinites.
Vanessa Fuentes took office in 2021, and has championed improved health, affordability, and creative arts in her District 2 community. As Chair of the Public Health Committee, she has advanced health equity through legislation on displacement prevention, community health workers, and mental health services, to name a few. Raised in Central Texas by an immigrant mother and military veteran father, Vanessa’s career spans from criminal policy reform to national healthcare advocacy. She has also boosted local affordability by raising the minimum wage and expanding access to childcare and pre-K. Vanessa serves on several key committees, including Audit and Finance and CAMPO Transit Policy Board.
In This Episode:
(00:00) Introduction Councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes, first jobs, lessons learned
(04:00) Austin’s summer youth employment program
(06:30) Need for healthcare infrastructure and food access in SE Austin
(07:45) What ”Hire Local” means
(08:40) Childcare and 30 childcare deserts in Austin, home-based childcare
(12:30) Housing in Austin, displacement prevention program
(15:40) Transportation, light rail, airport connectivity improvement
(18:50) Austin’s Infrastructure Academy funding
(23:25) Tracking trends in employment, the state of the workplace, mental health
(26:00) Looking forward
Like and subscribe to hear all of our informative upcoming episodes!
About the show:
Austin Hires Local, powered by Workforce Solutions Capital Area and hosted by WFS CEO Tamara Atkinson, dives deep with the trailblazers who are shaping the future of jobs in our city, our state, and even nationally. We pull back the curtain on the challenges we all face - the anxieties, the roadblocks, and what's holding us back from filling those critical open positions. But hey, it's not all doom and gloom. We also celebrate the victories: the ingenious solutions, the unexpected collaborations, and the best practices that are making us all sharper. You’ll hear guests from all sides of the table - elected officials with a finger on the pulse of the economy, industry leaders from booming sectors like tech, healthcare, and skilled trades, and educators shaping young minds in our schools and post-secondary education programs. So, tune in and get ready to be informed, inspired, and maybe even surprised by the future of work in Austin.
Resources:
Vanessa Fuentes www.austintexas.gov/department/council-member-vanessa-fuentes-biography
Workforce Solutions Capital Area www.wfscapitalarea.com/
Tamara Atkinson LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/tamara-atkinson-6456345/
Central Texas’ first-ever labor and demand forecast for the mobility and infrastructure sector www.wfscapitalarea.com/reports-insights/labor-market/building-a-robust-labor-force-to-deliver-generational-infrastructure/
About Workforce Solutions Capital Area:
Workforce Solutions is the state-designated authority for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County. They connect local people to the most in-demand industries with quality jobs. These specialized services are provided at no cost - including career training, apprenticeship programs, scholarships, job search assistance, child care assistance, tailored business solutions and more.

มุมมอง: 54

วีดีโอ

Transforming Lives and Communities: Kevin Brackmeyer of Skillpoint Alliance

29:03

Transforming Lives and Communities: Kevin Brackmeyer of Skillpoint Alliance

มุมมอง 13914 วันที่ผ่านมา

We often hear, “People don’t want to work anymore.” Our latest episode of Austin Hires Local shatters this myth. Tamara Atkinson sits down with workforce hero Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of Skillpoint Alliance, to uncover the inspiring stories behind the push for skilled trades and workforce development. Kevin shares his journey from working in construction to leading a pivotal organization, emphasiz...

Earn and Learn Apprenticeships in Central Texas: Building Strong Talent Pipelines

38:01

Earn and Learn Apprenticeships in Central Texas: Building Strong Talent Pipelines

มุมมอง 175หลายเดือนก่อน

Welcome to Austin Hires Local! In this episode, Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) interviews Mark Sherry, WFS Board Chair and VP of Human Resources at Baylor Scott & White Health. Listen in as Mark recounts his impactful first job in a college career service office, which led to a memorable experience with Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, profoundly shaping ...

Zyniah's Lived Experience Helps Her Support Job Seekers in Need

2:00

Zyniah's Lived Experience Helps Her Support Job Seekers in Need

มุมมอง 25หลายเดือนก่อน

Zyniah is a single mother who had no resources not too long ago. Today, she is a program specialist for WFS Capital Area and helping Texans overcome challenges similar to the ones she had. #austin #lifechanging #workforcedevelopment

Quentin Hit Rock Bottom Once, Now He is a Counselor

2:33

Quentin Hit Rock Bottom Once, Now He is a Counselor

มุมมอง 79หลายเดือนก่อน

Quentin spent his youth with the wrong crowd and was in and out of prison. He turned his life around with support from Workforce Solutions Capital Area and today he is a counselor with the American G.I. Forum. #austin #lifechanging #workforcedevelopment

Building Bridges: Mayor Kirk Watson on Austin’s Infrastructure and Affordability

20:14

Building Bridges: Mayor Kirk Watson on Austin’s Infrastructure and Affordability

มุมมอง 103หลายเดือนก่อน

In this episode, host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, speaks with Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. Tamara and the Mayor delve into how Austin’s city leaders are prioritizing affordability to empower local residents and foster economic security. The Austin Infrastructure Academy - a groundbreaking initiative approved by the Austin City Council in early March 2024 - takes cente...

Unleashing Austin's Workforce Potential: Introducing Austin Hires Local with Tamara Atkinson

5:30

Unleashing Austin's Workforce Potential: Introducing Austin Hires Local with Tamara Atkinson

มุมมอง 1092 หลายเดือนก่อน

Calling all job seekers, employers, and anyone who cares about the future of Austin's workforce! Introducing Austin Hires Local, your one-stop shop for understanding our city's job market.Join me, Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, as we navigate the complexities of Austin's job market in future episodes of the podcast. Together, we'll explore the vital connection between...