From the desk of Mike Ramsey: Celebrating a Milestone

Just last week, San Antonio Ready to Work reached an important milestone - the 1,000th person placed in a quality job! Jessica Soto received training for her certification in medical assistant/phlebotomy through our prime partner, Restore Education. Soto found a better-quality, higher-paying job as a patient advocate captain at Vital Life. Congratulations, Jessica, and thank you for believing in the power of RTW!

Through our collaborative efforts, our strong partnerships, the ingenuity and innovation of our staff and a true motivation to serve our residents the best way we can, we are proving that this transformative program is working.

The success of Ready to Work is due to the diligent work of our prime contractors working with participants every day (Alamo Colleges, Project Quest, Restore Education, and Workforce Solutions Alamo) as well as a vast network of community partners and organizations.

One of our partners is a leader in putting ideas into action. Over the last 40 years, Jobs for the Future (JFF) has worked to align education and training initiatives, workforce leaders and employers to provide equitable living wages. JFF works with RTW and our prime partners to get participants into better-paying, higher-quality jobs. Read more about JFF in our Partner Spotlight below.

Here are a few more highlights:

• This month, RTW received approval from the full San Antonio City Council for the program’s FY25 budget. We are thankful for each council member's commitment to providing the tuition support and wraparound services necessary to help educate and train their constituents for in-demand careers allowing them to better support their families. This influx of talent into the San Antonio workforce is providing local employers with the human capital they need to grow and expand their businesses. 
• In addition to RTW, the Workforce Development Office oversees Apprenticeship Building America (ABA). This grant program is making strides in helping people find work in the “earn while you learn” model. Read more below to find out about the benefits of apprenticeships for both employers and employees in our ABA section.
• Job Fest & Training Expo 2024 is coming up! It will be held June 6, 2024 at the Frost Bank Center from 4-7 p.m. There will be dozens of employers from in-demand industries on site and youth 16+ and adults are invited to meet with companies like the City of San Antonio, SAWS, USAA, Toyota and more representing our target industries like healthcare, professional services and hospitality, finance, manufacturing and aerospace, education and more! Tell your friends and neighbors about this exciting opportunity.

Financial Snapshot

A Look at RTW Financials To Date

Through April 2024, Ready to Work has collected $152.4M and spent $39.6M, which equals 26 percent of the total revenue collected. The program is spending about $6,400 per enrolled student. Funding is expensed diligently according to intake and enrollment parameters to ensure RTW funding is carefully preserved for qualifying participants.

Participant Spotlight

Alex Trevino - Cybersecurity

Alex Trevino is a proud RTW graduate who obtained his cybersecurity certification through the program and is now employed at Accenture Federal Services in San Antonio.

Prior to joining RTW, Trevino worked in San Marcos in fraud prevention at Verizon Wireless, first in consumer fraud and then in business fraud. But Trevino found his career trajectory was moving laterally, both in responsibility and in pay. That's when he decided to make a change in his life.

"From there, I wanted to make a lifestyle change and look for other opportunities," he said. "I found out about RTW. It showed me different opportunities I could take. I had a background in fraud, so I chose cybersecurity."

Trevino went through a 6-month boot camp facilitated by RTW. At that point, RTW helped place him into an internship with Accenture for three months. Following that, he was one of only a few to be selected for a full-time position with the company.

"This has done a lot for me," he said. "I'm being paid well. I have a lot more security now. I have faith and confidence in myself. It's helped me build interview skills and has given me interpersonal skills."

Trevino says he knows other people are out there in similar situations, and he encourages people to take a leap of faith like he did to better their lives.

Trevino is happy that through the transition he took in his career, RTW was there to support him. Career coaches, training providers and his case manager stayed in constant contact with him to make the process as easy as possible.

"RTW is one of those programs that actually cares for people," Trevino said.

Trevino says his salary has more than doubled over his previous career path, and he is excited about the potential for growth in his new career.

If someone is on the fence about RTW, Trevino says don't worry.

"They're persistent,” he said "They're going to have that conversation with you. They want you to be successful," he said.

Partner Spotlight

Jobs for the Future (JFF)

Jobs for the Future’s (JFF) "North Star" is that by 2033, 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement will work in quality jobs. For the past two years, JFF has been supporting San Antonio's RTW initiative as its national technical assistance provider.

Through collaborative planning and co-design, JFF and RTW have created a Community of Practice space where RTW practitioners can come and share successes, solve problems, and drive towards solutions.

The most recent innovation JFF provided the RTW program was the All-Partner Collaborative Scope of Services Design Meeting that engaged all prime agencies, sub-agency leadership, the City, and key implementation partners in taking a deep dive into the RTW scope of services and addressing challenges. The goal is to implement successful strategies for the benefit of RTW participants so that they have the best experience possible from start to finish.

Learn more about JFF here. 

Employer Spotlight

The Healthcare Industry

Hip, Hip, Horray for our amazing nurses!

As part of Nurses Month, San Antonio Ready to Work (RTW) is proud to be a part of providing a pathway to this "in-demand" occupation along with 25 other healthcare-targeted occupations. Currently, more than 150 San Antonio employers have hired 338 RTW participants in this field, 71 of whom are Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses and Registered Nurses.

In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, one critical factor remains constant: the need for a skilled and passionate workforce to meet the diverse needs of patients and communities. As healthcare continues to expand and innovate, so too must our efforts to cultivate and nurture the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The growth and expansion of several health systems, including UT Health, University Health, CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital, and Methodist Westover Hills, has led healthcare providers to seek skilled talent. RTW is working with employers and training providers to help fill these needs. There are 64 healthcare trainings available in the Approved RTW Training Catalog, including Medical and Health Services Managers, Respiratory Therapists, Registered Nurses, Pharmacy Technicians, Medical & Dental Assistants, Community Health Workers, Medical Secretaries & Administrative Assistants, and Paramedics. We now have close to 3,000 RTW participants training for these in-demand positions.

Apprenticeship Spotlight

Apprenticeship Building America

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) is overseen by the City’s Workforce Development Office. ABA specializes in providing comprehensive consultation services through the Department of Labor (DOL) grant funding. The team’s expertise extends to assisting organizations with curriculum development and strategic marketing, ensuring the success of apprenticeship programs.

Key benefits of partnering with ABA include:

• Access tailored guidance and support to optimize your apprenticeship program's effectiveness and impact.
• Secure funding to enhance your curriculum development efforts and implement strategic marketing initiatives, maximizing program visibility and engagement.
• Receive $500 incentives for individuals who successfully complete pre-apprenticeship programs, incentivizing participation and skill development.
• Access $5,000 in Registered Training Institution (RTI) funding for new apprentices enrolled in the SARTW Training Catalogue, facilitating their journey toward skills proficiency and career advancement.
• Benefit from funding support to offset wage costs for new apprentices through RTW's On-the-Job (OJT) Training pilot initiative, easing financial burdens and promoting equitable access to apprenticeship opportunities.

We believe that by partnering with ABA, you can unlock the full potential of your workforce development initiatives and contribute to building a stronger, more resilient economy. If you're interested in learning more about how ABA can support your organization's apprenticeship efforts, please reach out. Our team (pictured below) is here to help you succeed! 

Ready to Work Snapshot - In the Community

Ready to Work in Partnership with San Antonio Housing Trust

With warmer weather comes the start of summer fun! The RTW team has been visiting several housing properties over the last few months as part of our partnership with the San Antonio Housing Trust.

We went to four SAHT properties in May to speak to residents, including the Bridging the Gap event hosted at Villas at Echo East on Saturday, May 18th! It was great to see everyone beating the heat at the pool while enjoying snacks, games, and learning more about Ready to Work!

We hope to see you at more events throughout the summer.

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.