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

Great things continue to happen with the Ready to Work program. We are firing on all cylinders now that Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) has officially kicked off its partnership with Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMUSA).  TAMUSA and its Mays Center for Experiential Learning and Community Engagement staff will provide Ready to Work enhanced learning opportunities and access to resources and relationships.

Ready to Work is the most ambitious education and job placement initiative in the nation, challenging systems that have historically inhibited access to education, training, and high-quality jobs. As of November 1, almost 7,500 people have already applied for Ready to Work, which exceeds expectations. Almost 250 employers have pledged to hire Ready to Work participants that are selecting a variety of training paths aligned with the critical needs of employers.  Almost 500 participants have enrolled in approved training programs, and seven have already found jobs with a median wage above $20/hour in logistics, trades, and information technology fields.

As we progress, we are identifying ways to streamline and to improve the program. This work is hard, and we know that it is not about instant gratification.  We are working with our partners to clarify the benefits and expectations of the program, to remove barriers to enrollment and to streamline the intake and training process as much as possible.  We continue to rely on the sound guidance of our Advisory Board and its Community Outreach and Employer Engagement Subcommittees.  We recently requested local community-based organizations to become Ready to Work Community Champions to promote Ready to Work among our shared clients.  You, too, can join this effort by emailing us at RTW.Partner@sanantonio.gov. We are Ready to Work together!

With sincere gratitude,

Mike Ramsey

Ready to Change Lives

Thank you to the 247 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: EasyExpunctions.com

Represented by Yousef Kassim, CEO

EasyExpunctions.com provides people the opportunity to expunge their criminal records or to clear already-expunged records from existing databases. Looking to give those with criminal records a second chance — including the ability to obtain housing and employment — local attorney Yousef Kassim founded Easy Expunctions in 2014. Offering a variety of packages, the San Antonio-based company expunges and seals criminal charges and scrubs records from the databases of background checks and mugshot companies. Kassim, who serves on the board of Workforce Solutions Alamo, is an enthusiastic supporter of the Ready to Work program.

“Easy Expunctions took ‘The Ready to Work Pledge’ because we deeply believe that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves equitable access to employment, and we want to actively support that endeavor,” he explained.

He emphasized that Easy Expunctions is working with partners and participants in the Ready to Work program to remove barriers to employment caused by criminal records.

“We work with the participants to determine what is in their background and what options for relief are available,” he said. “If an individual qualifies for expunction or sealing, we work directly with the participant to achieve that outcome quickly and completely. The participant can then confidently apply for opportunities without having to worry about their criminal record.”

Additionally, he shared what type of traits his company seeks in new hires.

“At Easy Expunctions, we, undoubtedly and urgently, seek to hire employees who are aligned with our mission to serve our community,” he said. “We hire employees who believe in equity and second chances, who have the grit and flexibility to find solutions for customers, and who share the belief that the collective good is worth 100% of their contribution.”

“Our goal is to partner with the Ready to Work program to hire like-minded individuals and to expand the reach of our record-clearing services to a greater audience,” Kassim continued.

Regarding advice for employers considering signing up for the Employer Pledge, he believes skills can be taught. Kassim also thinks that those who are ready for a second chance have the right mindset and skills to do EVEN MORE than expected, so everyone should take the opportunity to hire this type of employee.

For individuals considering participation in the Ready to Work program, Kassim noted that the program exists to help individuals get the most out of the opportunities available to them.

“Take these opportunities! Have the life you’ve always wanted, expand your horizons, and let the Ready to Work program help you do it. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Are you ready to take the Employer Pledge? Click here to learn more.

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: Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Represented by Clarissa E. Tejeda, Director of Employer Relations and Community Outreach

Texas A&M University-San Antonio (TAMUSA) was established in 2009 as the first upper-division institution of higher education in South San Antonio. Today, TAMUSA is a comprehensive four-year university offering affordable, high-quality education. It is a contemporary university reflective of the diverse and heritage-rich community it serves.

From its beginnings in 2009 to the fall of 2022, enrollment has grown by 215 percent. The University currently serves more than 7,300 students and has graduated more than 15,300 alumni. The student body is 65.7 percent female, 77 percent Hispanic, and approximately 60 percent of students are the first in their family to attend college.

Texas A&M San Antonio is the only public four-year university to be an official partner in all stages of the Ready to Work client experience. It supports the Ready to Work program through intake and assessment, case management and serving as a training provider. The University recognized early on that Ready to Work provides opportunities to create transformative, equitable experiences on the road to degree completion.

Clarissa E. Tejeda, Director of Employer Relations and Community Outreach at TAMUSA, emphasized that the University and the Ready to Work program share common goals and priorities.

“Like Texas A&M San Antonio, Ready to Work is primed to be a catalyst for opportunity,” she explained.  “Seeing a multi-level approach of wraparound and training dollars on this scale is truly inspiring. The level of active collaboration between workforce development partners, industry, and educational institutions is the innovative spark needed to build sustainable change to promote future economic growth and strengthen talent pipelines.”

Tejeda advises employers as they prepare for trained candidates from the Ready to Work program.

“Your candidates are eager to create a new opportunity for themselves and their family. Their participation in Ready to Work shows commitment to marketability and professional excellence,” Tejeda said. “This program is aligned to fill industry talent gaps. Remember that the employer commitment is KEY to a successful  Ready to Work program. Help us get talented San Antonio job candidates employed!”

As part of the TAMUSA and Ready to Work partnership, Workforce Solutions Alamo office established on the University’s campus. Tejeda said the campus office location and its team of talented case managers provide enhanced access to career training opportunities for the University’s students and their families.

“We recognize clients may be coming to us at various stages of their career and educational journey,” Tejeda said.  “Our case management team will strive to meet the client where they are as well as help develop goals that promote personal and professional growth. We pride ourselves on building a team of client-centric, solution-focused individuals who will help motivate and promote student success in and out of the classroom.”

Ready to Engage

Community Outreach Info Session Strengthens Relationships to Increase Impact

On Tuesday, October 11, Ready to Work hosted a Community Outreach information session at the United Way for over 30 local community-based organizations (CBOs). CEO Mike Ramsey kicked off the morning with an inspiring message of collaboration and alignment to provide much-needed services to the communities they serve.

During the session, various Ready to Work team members presented a high-level overview, including education and training services provided, eligibility requirements, and additional wraparound services available to help CBO clientele, like emergency funding, childcare support, transportation and even criminal record expunctions for qualified candidates.

Additionally, CBOs and Ready to Work exchanged ideas regarding solutions to the challenges that the community faces and ways to collaborate through reciprocal referrals to each other’s programs. 

“These community-based organizations serve many of the same people we are trying to help. Involving them at a deep level just makes sense. Aligning our efforts to improve people’s lives will only strengthen the efforts of Ready to Work and of these organizations, said Mike Ramsey. “Helping improve people’s lives is what we are all trying to do, so it only makes sense that we collaborate with as many of these organizations as possible.”

The session ended with an enlightening Q&A, and each CBO left with Ready to Work collateral to utilize and promote the initiative. Additional community outreach sessions will be slated for the future.

To learn more about how your program can engage in Ready to Work, email rtw.help@sanantonio.gov or use the QR code to sign up today as a community champion.

Upcoming Events

Ready to Work is reaching into the community throughout San Antonio to ensure the program is a success. Whether you are a CBO who wants to leverage Ready to Work to assist your client, 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.

Ready to Work Pledged Employers:

WSA Business Services & Business Grants Seminar on November 16

Do not miss this opportunity to learn about the free WorkinTexas.com online system and how it can help to post jobs, search résumés, and find qualified job seekers. Take advantage of job matching assistance, participate in incentive programs, find important information about the local labor market, get help with hiring and retaining qualified employees with disabilities, and more.

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

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