Ready to Work is the Bridge to Belief:

• Belief in every person’s ability to contribute;
• Belief in every person’s right to pursue happiness;
• Belief in the value of traditional and non-traditional education; and
• Belief that we all have the power to change the future when we work together.

From the desk of Mike Ramsey, Executive Director of the City of San Antonio's Workforce Development Office

San Antonio is poised and ready to be set apart from all other communities across the United States. The Ready to Work program, and all who play an integral part, have created a beacon of hope for our community. Together, with your help, Ready to Work will enhance San Antonio’s workforce ecosystem for years to come.

The road to further success is going to take all of us, interacting and supporting each other in the collaborative spirit that San Antonio has demonstrated in support of this program. 

The depth of our partnership with employers, partner agencies and community-based organizations across the city affords us the opportunity to help thousands of people now and for generations to come.  

It is our goal to share program milestones, updates, and features through this monthly newsletter. You will gain insights into the people and organizations that are impacting and changing the future of San Antonio.

I am grateful for each and every one of you!! With you, we are ready for success!

Sincerely,

Mike Ramsey

What is Our North Star and Your Star Role?

A North Star is like a mission statement. It is a fixed destination that we can all depend on no matter what changes around us.  Ready to Work will change the future of its people and the community in which we live, work and play. We each have a Star Role in that outcome.

• Participants will discover a customized approach to succeed in education, in a career and in life.
• Official Partners will help remove financial and social barriers for adults committed to education, to job training and to professional success.
• Pledged Employers are committed to hiring participants and to informing training pathways aligned with well-paid current and future job openings.
• Approved Training Providers offer certifications, associate degrees or bachelor's degrees as listed in the Approved Course Catalog.
• Community Supporters provide additional support for participants as they complete their Ready to Work journey.

Ready for the Future

Ready to Work is designed to enroll more than 28,000 participants to receive job training and education, and to secure in-demand high-paying jobs. The program officially launched on May 16th and more than 3,500 people are already on their way to a better life by taking the first step to register. Ready to Work is helping those who are unemployed, under-employed or historically underserved overcome financial, mental or social barriers. The program offers emergency funding and support services to gain the training and the skills needed to succeed in a career.

Ready to Work is pleased to feature one of the first participants in this unprecedented program, Jazlyn Puente.

Jazlyn is well on her way to securing a position as a certified clinical medical assistant with a focus on geriatrics. But just a few years ago, she had hit rock bottom.

“I have a troubled past due to drugs and too many poor choices,” she said with tears in her eyes. “But now I have this. Ready to Work is the option for me.”

Jazlyn, with the help of Ready to Work and one of its prime partners, Project Quest, attends classes at the University of the Incarnate Word. She has the support of her husband, a house to live in and a car to get her where she needs to be. But most importantly, Jazlyn has the will to create a better life for her family.

“I am doing this to show my (six) kids that no matter how down you are, it’s never too late to come back up; no matter what road you go down, you can always achieve your goal in the end,” she said, smiling through the tears. “It’s never too late.”

Jazlyn says she gets emotional telling her story because she thinks about all the people along the way that have helped her. She credits her determination to finding strength in her faith and to the support of the program that has given her the confidence to believe in herself.

“It’s possible for anyone,” Jazlyn said. “If I can be here and do this clean for five years, anyone can.”

Ready to Change Lives

Thank you to the more than 200 local employers that have pledged support for Ready to Work. Employers will help guide the desired training and education of participants to help improve our local economy and to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Being an active and engaged business leader bring benefits to local businesses in the short and long term. These benefits include but are not limited to:

• Access to expanding talent pipeline 
• City-funded training and educational benefits for eligible employees
• Input on approved training catalog
• Enhanced network of workforce agencies, community resources and local training providers
• Increased contracting and subcontracting opportunities
• Workplace diversity
• Economic development for San Antonio

Employer Highlight of the Month: Bank of America, represented by Jennifer Cantu

Bank of America is committed to connecting individuals to jobs to move local economies forward. That is why the organization is actively involved in the Ready to Work program by being a local Pledged Employer. Jennifer Cantu, Senior Vice President and San Antonio Market Executive of Bank of America, serves as the Chair of the Ready to Work Advisory Board Employer Engagement Subcommittee.

“Through our Bank of America Charitable Foundation, we invest in supporting underserved groups with the skills, resources and experience they need to succeed,” Cantu said. “By signing the Ready to Work pledge, we are building on our long-standing focus to help people get the skills they need to be successful in high-demand careers.”
 
According to Cantu, Bank of America believes in creating opportunities to advance economic mobility to help build stronger communities and financial futures, a mission that aligns with Ready to Work’s efforts to help thousands of residents strengthen their quality of life through job training and placement.

“We look for candidates who have a genuine interest in our business, who are committed to our purpose to making financial lives better, who share a passion for serving our clients and the communities in which we operate,” Cantu added. “We look for candidates who come from rich and varied backgrounds and experiences, who will champion personal integrity and accountability, and who bring their authentic self and distinctive expertise to every situation. We strive to employ those with an aptitude for leadership and who carry an immense respect for our values and culture of inclusion.”

Cantu encourages other local employers to learn more about Ready to Work and to consider taking the Employer Pledge. She believes that industry leaders need to have a seat at the table and that each industry has a voice to make this program the best it can be. 

“We need employers’ experience, challenges, opportunities, and guidance to ensure that we are developing the future workforce for our businesses,” Cantu said.  “This is an opportunity to engage in a cross-industry, cross-sector collaborative that will impact thousands of residents and businesses over the next five years and beyond.”

Interested in taking the Employer Pledge? Click here! 

Ready to Serve

The City has partnered with over 30 local organizations to implement the Ready to Work program.

• Creative Noggin, COPS/Metro, MM Creative, and Black Business San Antonio are assisting with community outreach and marketing.
• SA WORX is assisting with employer engagement.
• Workforce Solutions Alamo, Alamo Colleges District, Project QUEST and Restore Education are the City’s prime contractors for intake, assessment and case management services. Subcontractors include Avance, Barcom, C2 Global Services, Chrysalis Ministries, Dynamic Advancement, Empyra, Family Service Association, Goodwill Industries San Antonio, Graduation Alliance, Our Community, Plumquest, Profile Design Studio, SA Food Bank, SAISD, SeeKing HR, Texas A&M San Antonio, WHY Group, Worldwide Languages and YWCA.

Partner Agency Highlight of the Month: Project QUEST, represented by Francisco Martinez

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Project QUEST connects San Antonians to emerging careers in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, trades, IT and cybersecurity. They strengthen the economy and transform lives by preparing individuals for in-demand, living-wage careers.

Q:  Why was it important for Project Quest to be a part of the Ready to Work Program?

A:  Ready to Work expands and amplifies the work that is necessary for our residents and our community to thrive! With all of our combined efforts, it enables QUEST to play our part in a bigger cause and a bigger system of change—the workforce ecosystem. It really does take a village! As we unite, we will all be able to help address the needs of the community one participant at a time.

Q:  What are some key qualities that Project Quest looks for in its case managers? 

A: We call our case managers Career Coaches. They are at the heart of our work and success. The participant's journey begins and ends with the work they do alongside their Career Coach. Beyond being knowledgeable and offering the guidance in areas like career and academic requirements, our Career Coaches connect and create a trusted relationship to help achieve success. The key to this is treating each participant with dignity and respect.  

Q:  What innovations do you see happening in Ready to Work?

A: We are already seeing innovation with the collaboration and partnerships developed in the region's workforce ecosystem. In addition, we see further innovation naturally come about as we build, establish, and learn from each other through our shared work and collaboration.    

Q:  What piece of advice would you give employers as they prepare for trained candidates from the Ready to Work program? 

A: We encourage employers to appreciate the participant's commitment to the journey and to validate the assets they bring with them that complement their specialized training. It is important to be open to their experiences; sometimes they may be non-traditional, but definitely rich with experience, drive and work ethic.

Q:  What is one piece of advice you might give a potential prospect that is hesitant to participate in Ready to Work?

A: The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step! Move from fear to faith. Put faith in the process, the journey and above all, yourself. Organizations like Project QUEST are here to help, and there is an entire community of partners committed to help them along their journey. Thanks to the voters, the City of San Antonio, and all of our combined efforts, there is no better time than now!   

Q:  What is one final sentiment you would like those that are reading the Ready to Work newsletter to know? 

A: The journey and outcome of Ready to Work is very much worth all of our commitment. We are not just supporting participants; we are supporting families, communities, and the city at large. It takes a village and we need to all be proud of being an integral part of that village.

Ready to Engage

Ben Peavy of Accenture Elected as Ready To Work Advisory Board Chair

We would like to congratulate Ben Peavy for his new role as Ready to Work Advisory Board Chair.

Mr. Peavy has been a member of the Board since its inception in Spring 2021 and his expertise as an employer in the IT field has been pivotal in the development and early stages of the program.

Mr. Peavy will serve as Chair of the Advisory Board through the end of the calendar year.

Upcoming Events

Ready to Work is engaging all the audiences throughout San Antonio to ensure the program is a success. Therefore, the team has a constantly evolving list of events and meetings to listen and to educate people about the Ready to Work program and how to be involved. Whether you are a community-based organization who can help reach the people of San Antonio who need support, or a business owner interested in taking the Employer Pledge, there is a place for you at the table. Below is a partial list of upcoming events. If you are interested in having Ready to Work be a part of one of your events, please contact rtw.help@sanantonio.gov.

Want to learn more about what Ready to Work offers? Click here!

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