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

As the leader of the new Workforce Development Office at the City of San Antonio that oversees the voter-approved training and education program, Ready to Work (RTW), I’m always excited to attend events, talk to people, sit with stakeholders, meet participants and engage with our case managers, prime partners and others to talk about RTW from their perspectives. I love hearing about their experiences. I want to know what’s working well. I cherish the opportunity to know what we can do to better serve our participants and our pledged employers.

Recently, I hosted an employer panel at the San Antonio Housing Commission’s board meeting. Johnny Vahalik with SAISD, Leslie Cantu of Toyotetsu, Allie Perez with Texas Women in Trades, and Andrea Casas with University Health joined me to speak about how critical it is for housing efforts to work in lockstep with workforce development goals. One of the recurring topics in the workforce development world right now is severe staffing shortages across industries, but especially in areas like construction and education. Employers are finding out that to retain employees, they need to meet the needs of the employees and their families. Giving employees quality time off, offering living wages for entry-level positions, providing training opportunities and great benefits packages should be considered to hire talented people, and more importantly – to keep them.

This collaborative spirit reverberates throughout our Workforce Development Office. Amy Contreras, assistant to the director, attended the Srive Together Conference in San Francisco just a few short weeks ago. Her panel, Working Together: How Government Leaders and Community Organizations are Collaborating for Long-Lasting Change, addressed San Antonio’s embedded culture of collaboration and how government entities are supporting more place-based education and workforce partnerships. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg believes that workforce development and a targeted focus on job creation is a major key to improving the economic climate of the city, as well eradicating generational poverty, over time. When someone is able to earn more money, they are able to pay their bills, buy a home, focus on their children’s needs and enjoy shopping, recreational activities, car buying and more. Amy’s participation in this panel emphasizes that local leaders who support these efforts create communities of strength and model this upward trend for other cities across the country.

Our RTW board of directors are also hard at work! The new board, including four new members, convened recently and had a robust discussion about continuously improving the program. UTSA’s Urban Education Institute presented insights from its recent case study, in which two RTW graduates that hat had recently been placed in quality jobs offered advice for future applicants:

“Make sure you turn in your documents and anything that they ask for. They definitely need to turn those in and not to procrastinate to get through the process,” a 21-year-old man seeking an associate degree in manufacturing/aerosace said. A 40-year-old woman seeking an associate degree in the healthcare field added, “Don’t be afraid. And if you are afraid, push through it. There will be things that come up or (there will be) distractions, but be determined in your heart and in your mind that you will do whatever it takes to change your life for the better. Once you make that decision, it happens. You really are in charge of your own destiny and have the willpower. What will you do? What will you sacrifice to change? This is the question.”

Another successful RTW participant noted that in her previous job, she was stressed because of inconsistencies, miscommunication and disrespect. Her new career allows her to feel positive about herself, the work that she does, and she is surrounded by a more professional environment.

These stories are important to hear. Many times we talk about the numbers and the data behind the numbers. We discuss ways to enroll more people, or how we can get more employers in San Antonio to take our pledge. While we keep pushing for increased enrollment numbers through our marketing plans and while we continue working with our partners on improving customer service, hearing directly from the participants is humbling. We want to know about our clients’ individual experiences. Did RTW change their life? Did it help them accomplish personal goals? Are they able to make more money doing something they like?

Imagine the combined impact of each individual story. An independent study conducted by Drs. Steve Nivin and Belinda Roman titled Economic Impacts of Ready to Work provided an analysis of RTW’s Year 1 impact. In short, for every dollar to be spent on the training of 3,345 participants enrolled through June 30, 2023, the local economy will see a $1.7 billion return on investment ($61 return for each $1 spent). The study includes three measures of economic impact: (1) Total increase in incomes across all of the participants throughout their careers; (2)  economic impacts of their spending created by their increased wages, and (3) social savings from the graduates no longer requiring support from various social programs like Medicaid and CHIP.

The report concludes that over the careers of the participants in RTW and those who will enroll in the future, their income gains will not only transform their lives, but it will also have meaningful positive impacts on the local economy. As Mayor Nirenberg has said from the beginning, RTW is about making a difference one person at a time.

I couldn’t agree more.

With sincere gratitude,

Mike Ramsey

Participant Highlight - Eric De La Rosa

Seeing is Believing

Life for Eric De La Rosa had been going well. His job at San Antonio’s Toyota plant building Tacoma pickup trucks, and then later the Tundra, provided him and his family what they needed to make ends meet and enjoy life. But after six years, he found himself unemployed and on the verge of losing the house that he was trying to buy.

A friend told him about RTW, the job training, education and placement program that was overwhelmingly approved by local voters to help people like De La Rosa not only find in-demand, high quality and better paying jobs, but careers that they will thrive in.

De La Rosa, 27, says family members told him about RTW. He couldn’t believe it at first. But after applying and finding out that he qualified, his skepticism and doubt turned into excitement and hope.

“I didn’t have the money to pay for any type of training for a new job,” he said. “If it wasn’t for Ready to Work, I probably would have lost my house. I needed a job that would pay more so I could afford my mortgage.”

RTW provides many wraparound services that people can take advantage of, including childcare, emergency assistance funding and even transportation through VIA Metropolitan Transit.

De La Rosa took advantage of tuition assistance that paid for his commercial driver’s license. Right after graduating, he took a job to get experience and move up in his career. He’s been employed at The Sygma Network for close to a year, earning $1,400 to $1,600 per week as a driver.

De La Rosa tells his friends and those he meets about RTW, his experience and how it helped shape his future.

“It’s life-changing,” he said. Especially if you don’t have the money up front, and you don’t like your 9 to 5 job. They help you and get you to further your career to something you like doing.”

Partner Highlight - Workforce Solutions Alamo

This month, RTW asked Penny Benavides, director of public and government relations at Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA), about what makes RTW a strong partner.

WSA is the governing board for the regional workforce system. Benavides says that WSA is committed to strengthening the local economy by empowering people, both youth and adults, to realize their talents by providing access to training, career resources and connections to employers.

“The unprecedented Ready to Work program aligns with our mission to develop the skills of our local economy to meet the needs of employers offering career opportunities in high-demand and high-growth industries,” Benavides said.

WSA is the largest prime contractor for RTW, and while the work is challenging, Benavides says that it’s done with heart and in service to the community with a belief that San Antonio consists of immense local talent that deserves the attention to be developed for local jobs.

“We are working in partnership to understand the many intersections of workforce development in order to innovate solutions to develop a skilled workforce for today, tomorrow and the years to come,” Benavides said.

What’s unique about the partnership with WSA is the collaboration it has with a consortium of strategic partners who are focused on improving the local economy and the lives of the residents of San Antonio. The Alamo Workforce Consortium facilitates a referral practice program that’s aimed at reducing a duplication of services. In a world where time is of the essence, this piece is critical.

The Consortium leverages research and resources from each partner and increases client access to support services including financial literacy, housing, food and childcare while clients enroll in education and training programs to reach their goals. The Consortium includes Chrysalis Ministries, Family Service, the San Antonio Food Bank, Texas A&M University San Antonio, and AVANCE.

Of course, participants and case management are only one piece of the puzzle. The other includes employers hiring the people who complete training and education courses. Benavides says that WSA realizes this and emphasizes that employer voices across various industries are welcomed to better understand the skills needed to fill talent gaps and the positions available after RTW participants graduate.

“Ready to Work and Workforce Solutions Alamo proudly work together to empower individuals to achieve financial independence and career fulfillment by providing connections to real opportunities in high-demand, high-growth, high-wage industries,” Benavides said. “We do this work as part of a greater workforce development ecosystem leveraging resources and core competencies to best serve our community.”

To date, Benavides says that WSA has enrolled 1,772 participants in RTW training programs.

Employer Highlight – Standard Aero        

If you haven’t been to Port San Antonio lately, it’s time for another visit. The area boasts high-tech businesses, the new entertainment venue Tech Port Center and Arena, and is home to the leading aftermarket maintenance, repair and overhaul provider for PW500 series turbofan engines, StandardAero.

In this month’s edition, we talked with HR director and new RTW advisory board member Stephanie Gaines.

RTW: Why did Standard Aero take the RTW Pledge?

Gaines: StandardAero is committed workforce development in San Antonio. We pledged to the program because we believe in the value it provides to the residents of San Antonio and the local economy. There is a gap between skilled workers in the aviation industry and we believe RTW can be a real game changer in the world of workforce development.

RTW: How has Standard Aero been involved with RTW to date?

Gaines: I participate in the Talent Pipeline Management Stakeholder meetings to offer feedback and voices for the manufacturing/aerospace industry. Multiple leaders support SA WORX, Workforce Solutions Alamo and Alamo Colleges in various capacities. In addition, we recently met with Mike Ramsey to discuss building opportunities for expansion of our RTW involvement.

RTW: What are some key qualities that your company looks for in its employees?

Gaines: StandardAero is governed by the FAA and require that all employees pass drug and background testing. We seek potential employees who possess problem solving skills, take initiative and demonstrate strong communication skills. We look for employees that thrive in a team environment. We aim to have our employees grow and evolve with StandardAero and find a fulfilling career with us.
 

RTW: In looking at the course catalog and approved jobs, what positions might Standard Aero be hiring for in the near future?
 

Gaines: Aerospace Mechanics, Detail and Quality Inspectors and Mechanic Engineers, Logistics and Supply.

RTW: What hopes do you or the company have for the RTW program?

Gaines: We are excited to match RTW participants with a career that offers them exciting job growth and endless possibilities at StandardAero. StandardAero has created a 12-week mechanics in training program that will allow people with no aviation experience to partake in our paid training program and graduate with an aviation career.  Our training center aligns perfectly with the goal and aim of RTW.  We intend for continued growth in San Antonio for many generations to come.

RTW: What is one piece of advice that you might give to an employer on the fence about signing the Employer Pledge?

Gaines: I would advocate that the Employer consider all of the benefits in a collaboration with RTW.  Meet with the RTW team and discuss the opportunities that signing the pledge with offer your organization.

San Antonio Snapshots

Did you go to any San Antonio Neighbors Together events this past Tuesday?

With our busy lives, it can be tough to make time to check in on our neighbors or feel a strong sense of community with the people who live in our neighborhood. Neighbors Together gives us the chance to slow down and come together at City of San Antonio Community Centers and other locations around town for family fun and connection.

District 3 invited RTW to the Neighbors Together event at Bode Community Center. We are grateful for opportunities like this one to talk face-to-face with residents about how RTW can help advance their careers. And of course, we had fun catching up with Councilmember Viagran and our summer intern Isaac Mendoza!

We hope you’ll keep an eye out for our colorful RTW table at more neighborhood events this fall!

Ready to Engage

Upcoming Events

Ready to Work is reaching into the community throughout San Antonio to ensure the program is a success. Whether you are a community-based organization 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.

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