From the Desk of Mike Ramsey: Giving Thanks!

As we approach Thanksgiving, it's a perfect time to pause and reflect on how grateful we are for the San Antonio Ready to Work (RTW) community. This program isn't just about training and employment, but it's about providing opportunity, growth, and connection across our city.

We're thankful for our participants, whose hard work and dedication inspire us every day. We're thankful for our training partners, who open doors and guide each step toward success. We're also thankful for the employers who continue to see the potential in our participants and invest in their futures. Together, you are the reason this program is changing lives.

When the City invests in education, training, financial empowerment, and career support, we are not simply preparing individuals for employment, we are unlocking human potential. That investment strengthens families, supports local employers, and builds a more resilient economy for the entire community. For these reasons we are thankful for our partners contracted to implement the Ready to Work initiative, making this a reality for thousands of community members everyday.

Let's carry that spirit of gratitude forward into this holiday season. Every success story, every new job, and every milestone reminds us that when our community works together, real progress happens. Thank you for being part of the RTW story, and I hope you will share the great stories being included in this newsletter.

Participant Spotlight

Chloe Bruno - Ambitious and Ready!

At 22 years old, San Antonio native and San Antonio Ready to Work (RTW) participant Chloe Bruno has some ambitious goals.

 “My long-term goals include either joining the military or working as a special agent specializing in cybersecurity with the FBI,” Bruno said.

The Texas A&M – San Antonio senior was one of about 30 participants that recently took part in a Cyber Range Live Attack simulation that was hosted by the UTSA Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII). Inside the room were current students, I.T. professionals, and employers who were ready to learn about the simulated “attack” they may need to be prepared for in the future.

“They are preparing me to be the best that I can be,” Bruno said. “They (RTW) have given a lot of support by allowing us to attend job fairs, speak with professionals, and be with like-minded individuals that have really helped us develop essential skills one will need when they go into the workforce.”

RTW and Greater SATX partnered to sponsor 100 of the trainees to help pay for part of a UTSA Cyber Range Membership. It’s the type of training that Bruno feels makes a difference when it’s time to level up, gain experience, and eventually land a job.

“It’s cool to see and apply learning from a book to experiential learning,” she added.

It’s proof that no matter where a participant may be in his or her RTW path, there are many different options out there to help.

Dashboard Snapshot

Assisting Military Members and their Families

Did you know that there are more than 1,700 people with military ties in RTW? Military members that live inside Bexar County or their family may qualify. It's an opportunity to help them transition out of the military or help find that higher paying in-demand job right here in Military City, USA.

Partner Spotlight

Workforce Solutions Alamo - Honoring Veterans with Opportunity

In the spirit of Veterans Day, Workforce Solutions Alamo celebrated service and opportunity at its 14^th annual Hiring Red, White & You! Job fair. The event connected hundreds of veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with employers ready to hire.

“This is really important,” Workforce Solutions Alamo Director of Ready to Work Rebecca Espino Balencia said. “We are a connector of talent, so we want employers to understand that.”

This unique hiring event primarily focused on the military and their families, but it was also open to all RTW participants looking for in-demand jobs. 98 employers were able to meet with 1,277 people seeking that next job opportunity.

"The employers are understanding that the (RTW) program is really guiding individuals to the right career path," Espino Balencia said. “We are introducing them to the employer, but the job seeker introducing themselves to the employer becomes critical.”

For the Workforce Solutions Alamo team, success is a community effort.

“It takes everyone,” Espino Balencia added. “Our employers, our prime partners as Ready to Work partners, the job seeker to make our community here better, and I think that’s what we are doing here with Ready to Work.”

Employer Spotlight

San Antonio Food Bank - Serving Today, Building Tomorrow

During the recent government shutdown and pause to SNAP benefits, the San Antonio Food Bank and the RTW showed how powerful community support can be. Demand for help grew almost overnight at the Food Bank with a need to serve about 50,000 more families each week.

“Typically, the San Antonio Food Bank pushes out about two million pounds of food per week,” Director of Neighbor Services Yesenia Bazan said. “We increased that by an additional one million pounds ever week.”

Through their partnership, the Food Bank and RTW are able to provide both food relief and career training. RTW participants working at the Food Bank are pursuing culinary arts or warehouse and logistics training, but they are also able to receive additional support when needed.

“Ready to Work participants really leveraged their support dollars up to $1,500 toward any support they're experiencing and need," Food Bank Workforce Development Manager Kazhari Davis said.

For immediate help, RTW was able to provide participants support funds to cover essentials like rent, utilities, and transportation while the Food Bank was able to help with immediate food distribution needs.

Together, the Food Bank and RTW are creating a full-circle model of hope that matches the Food Bank’s three pillars of providing food for today, food for tomorrow, and food for a lifetime.

Ready to Work - Featured
 

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA)

Collaboration is Key!

Having the opportunity to share information and learn from others is always a good thing.

The City of Charlotte and City of San Antonio (COSA) Workforce Development Office delivered a presentation to COSA department leaders about Registered Apprenticeship programs. The Charlotte team shared their framework and strategic approach for developing Registered Apprenticeships within city departments.

During the visit, the Charlotte team was able to tour the Solid Waste Department, where they learned about its registered apprenticeship program and observed side-loader operations. In addition, the City’s Office of Historic Preservation gave a tour of its demolition and restoration site alongside the Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant team.

Collaboration like this demonstrate how municipalities can lead the way in growing skilled talent and expanding apprenticeship opportunities.

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