From the desk of Mike Ramsey: Ready to Work turns 3 - and more exciting news!

This summer, RTW officially turned 3 years old! We marked the occasion with thousands of our closest friends at Woodlawn Lake Park for the City's official 4th of July Celebration. Mayor Ron Nirenberg told the crowd on hand that San Antonio takes care of its own - and with the help of RTW, nearly 8,000 people are now enrolled in their RTW training program, with over 2,100 participants having already finished their training. RTW is on track and under budget, with nearly 1,200 graduates in a quality job that will change their lives for the better.

As RTW turns a year older, we are reflecting on these past two years, having worked closely with our prime partners, community partners, participants and stakeholders to continuously improve and build momentum to meet program goals. This includes improving the application process, increasing program awareness, working with a wide array of partners at the local, state and national level to implement best practices, and putting our best foot forward for the benefit San Antonians and military-connected residents of Bexar County. This will change their lives and the lives of their families for generations to come.

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Here are a few more highlights:

• The Workforce Development Office has a brand new face. Joel Morgan, who hails from California, has extensive experience in the world of workforce development. Most recently, Joel served as regional director for Equus Workforce Solutions. Before that, he was the manager of workforce development for Bexar County. His unique qualifications will help guide and direct the Ready to Work team, both within the City of San Antonio, but also with our many partners and stakeholders. We look forward to him making positive change that will ultimately have a great impact on the participants who go through the program. Welcome, Joel!
• Recently, we honored our second RTW Champion Employer! Accenture, which has a global presence, has been leading the way right here in San Antonio in terms of setting an example for other companies, hiring Ready to Work graduates and endorsing the program. Mayor Ron Nirenberg celebrated with the leadership and employees of Accenture, noting how much of an influence the company has in San Antonio. Congratulations to Accenture for being named Champion Employer! Our next Champion Employer award will be held in September.

Financial Snapshot

A Look at RTW Financials To Date

RTW continues to spend program dollars wisely. To date, the City has collected more than $156 million in revenues, with just a little over $40 million expensed thus far. Total program expenses per participant enrolled in a training program averages $5,771.

Dashboard Data - At Your Fingertips!

Participant Spotlight

Athina Jimenez - Hensel Phelps

An unexpected layoff all but caught Athina Jimenez off guard. She began looking for her next opportunity when RTW caught her eye. 

"In a short period of time, I was able to start classes at Texas Tech online for the  associate's for project management certification, as well as the project management professionals certification," Jimenez said.

Jimenez went through the year long program and with the help of her case manager through YWCA and Workforce Solutions Alamo, she received an email for an interview with construction firm Hensel Phelps. The firm is contracted to work on the new phase of the San Antonio International Airport.

Learn More about the Airport Expansion

"I almost didn't even go to the interview!" she said. "I was intimidated. I was nervous. But I went and met with the project manager. It was  great interview. It was uplifting. He extended the offer for job site administrator."

Jimenez was a single mom raising four kids on her own. But this was a time, now that they're grown, to do something for herself. The 45-year old woman wanted the opportunity to grow.

Jimenez said the training program through RTW was a chance to build her confidence. It provided resources for her to keep learning. If it wasn't for RTW, she said, she would not be where she is today.

As a new employee with Hensel Phelps, Jimenez is getting to know everyone and her new environment. She is excited to start her journey as a job site administrator. With their experience and expertise in construction, she's able to combine that with her love for the industry. Since she was 18, she says she has been fascinated by it.

Jimenez would encourage anyone wanting to take the next step in their lives and careers to give RTW a shot.

"I would say to give it a chance!" she said. "Look into it. Follow the case manager's guidance. Something good will come from the program. It's helped me!

Partner Spotlight

UTSA Urban Education Institute

The UTSA Urban Education Institute (UEI) provides analytical data and evaluation to support RTW program goals and outcomes. Dr. Sharon Nichols, UEI director, and her team have produced six case studies and six quarterly reports since the beginning of evaluation, which focus on voices of the participants as they go through the RTW process. Quarterly reports focus on qualitative and quantitative analyses of RTW program implementation.

As RTW is now in its third official year, we are highlighting some of UEI's key findings to date. Some of them include the following: "RTW is a life changing experience for many who enter the program," and "Finding a job is hard, but RTW partners are helpful in preparing them (resume, interviewing skills). Key findings in Year 2 include, "Participants really enjoy training experiences they pursue" and "Women pursuing male dominated fields feel RTW could do better exposing them to nontraditional fields for women and feel more one on one support would be helpful."

An upcoming quarterly report will look at current trends in training types and occupations pursued by RTW participants, with questions focusing on enrollment, industries being pursued and influence of RTW partner coaches on career and educational navigation.

While data analysis helps tell tell part of the RTW story, Dr. Nichols maintains that we should also recognize that the pursuit of improved life circumstances is a difficult one.

"(It's) fraught with unexpected financial and social challenges that require resources, support, and some measure of courage to reach the goal," she said. "Data (for example, the overall number of people who have entered or completed the program) do not always tell the full story of one person's life or how they experienced  the program. Everyone we have spoken with who has been in the program or even dropped out agree that RTW is life changing - this cannot be conveyed by numbers alone."

Learn More about the UEI

Employer Spotlight

Frost Bank

Recently, we sat down with Frost Bank's Hilary Camber, Regional Human Resources Manager and Assistant Vice President, to get a sense of why the company, a locally-grown and household name, shares in the mission and vision of RTW. We asked some questions and received these answers.

Why Did Frost Bank Take the RTW Pledge?
Frost Bank has always been dedicated to giving back to the community. We believe that partnering with an organization like Ready to Work, which provides vital support and opportunities for local job seekers, is a fantastic way to make a positive impact. By taking the RTW Pledge, we reaffirm our commitment to helping San Antonio thrive.

How Has Frost Bank Been Involved with RTW?
Frost Bank has actively participated in San Antonio RTW career fairs and hiring events. Our ongoing collaboration with the program includes regular discussions on how we can enhance the experience for participants. We aim to ensure that every job seeker feels supported and empowered throughout their journey.

Tell us about your success stories.
We are proud to have hired three RTW graduates who have become integral members of the Frost Bank family. These individuals bring diverse backgrounds and a strong passion for excellence to their roles. We are committed to supporting their growth and helping them build rewarding careers in the financial industry.

What are some key qualities Frost Bank looks for in employees?
At Frost Bank, we value more than just experience and education. We seek candidates who demonstrate integrity, creativity, and a commitment to excellence. Our ideal employees are those who can uphold our values while contributing their unique talents and perspectives.

What is next for Frost Bank and RTW?
To further support the RTW program, we have developed a specialized apprenticeship role within our Human Resources team. This apprenticeship offers participants the chance to learn about various departments and career opportunities at Frost Bank. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of our work culture and help participants identify and pursue their passions within our organization.

What is Frost Bank's long-term RTW vision?
We hope to continue supporting the RTW program by providing exceptional career experiences within our organization. Our team is dedicated to building personal connections with candidates and guiding them toward fulfilling career paths that align with their interests and goals.

Do you have any advice for San Antonians considering joining RTW?
The RTW program is an incredible resource for qualified candidates in San Antonio. It offers a robust support system, including resources to overcome obstacles and a safety net for unexpected emergencies. The program also facilitates personal connections with top companies in the area, opening doors to exciting career opportunities.

If you are a business leader or employer, we invite you to join us in celebrating success! Mark the achievements of our RTW participants. Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant community!

Apprenticeship Spotlight

CAST Tech

We are thrilled to announce that CAST Tech is in the process of hiring new apprentices for positions in Data Science and Project Management! This exciting development highlights the incredible benefits of hiring apprentices for your business.

Apprentices bring fresh perspectives and up-to-date skills, allowing companies to cultivate talent tailored to their specific needs. By investing in apprentices, businesses not only support workforce development but also enhance productivity and innovation within their teams.

Join us in celebrating CAST Tech's commitment to nurturing the next generation of professionals and consider the transformative impact an apprentice could have on your own organization.

”In line with our commitment to student success, CAST Tech will not ask employers to do anything we won't do ourselves. As part of this project, we are excited to announce that we are hiring several apprentices this year to help manage this work. We are deeply grateful to the 80|20 Foundation for their support and to the national Catalyze Challenge for helping us create new connections to apprenticeships.”

Our Apprenticeship Team is Working Hard - See What They're Up To!

Ready to Work Snapshot - In the Community

Ready to Work celebrates July 4th and kicks off Year 3!

Summer is for food, friends and family! In July, it also means the celebration of America's independence. But we have added something new to our list of celebrations: the anniversary of RTW!

The program officially turned 3. We partnered with the San Antonio Parks Foundation to kick off the third year of the program with 50,000 people. We handed out thousands of RTW koozies with water, talked with people, invited them to sign up for the program and answered questions about RTW!

We truly loved this community experience. RTW invites anyone to sign up today for low-to-no-cost training and education aligned with a better-paying, higher-quality career! Call 3-1-1 or visit ReadytoWorkSA.com.

RTW also invites employers to engage with the program. Commit to interviewing and hiring qualified RTW graduates and be a part of something unprecedented nationwide! Our Employer Partnership team would love to hear from you today. Email RTW.Employer@sanantonio.gov for more information and to get started.

Check Us Out - See For Yourself!
 

Upcoming Events

If you are interested in submitting content to our newsletter, or if you have an event you'd like us to publish in our newsletter, please email Ryan Loyd or rtw.help@sanantonio.gov.