From the Desk of Mike Ramsey

On the Right Path

It's hard to believe, but we are almost halfway through 2026. This month, I am proud to share how far we have come together. I constantly meet San Antonio Ready to Work (RTW) participants whose lives are changed because a community of partners, instructors, employers and mentors believes in their potential. This program only works because so many people care enough to lift each other up, and I am grateful to be part of this village.

Last month’s national jobs report showed steady hiring across some essential fields. What stands out to me is how many of those jobs match the training and career paths offered through RTW. There is real opportunity right now to help more residents move into good paying jobs in fields like healthcare, trades, construction and manufacturing.

Heading into the year, RTW set a goal of reaching 5,700 approved job placements by the end of the year. We will most likely reach that goal before the end of the month. Everyday, our participants are confirming that this voter-approved program is working and getting better every day. As more people learn about what RTW offers, these numbers will continue to grow and more lives will be changed for the better. This program is working for ALL of San Antonio.

Thank you for believing in this program!

Participant Spotlight

A Fresh Start and Future

For John Rodriguez, he has had a lot of time to learn about finding the right opportunity.

"There's a bunch of opportunities out there," John said. "You've just go to grab ahold of them and that's what I did."

Incarcerated at 16 and released from prison at 48, John found himself working at a fast food chain ready for something better. At the time, he was biking to work and earning an hourly wage.

That changed when a friend told him about the Manufacturing Bootcamp at Goodwill San Antonio.

With the help of RTW tuition assistance to help cover the cost of training, John showed up every day determinded to build a better future. The training he received wasn't just helpful, it was exactly what his future employer was looking for.

It took him three weeks to get through his training, and with coaching and support, just two more weeks to get hired at Cox Manufacturing. 

Today, John is training to be a machine operator, and his life looks completely different than before. He has nearly doubled his income, has access to medical and dental benefits, and even a 401(k).

He was able to get a car to help him get to the job that is providing stability and hope. His employer has gained a dedicated worker who is already growing with the company and is expected to earn another raise in the near future.

"They allowed me an opportunity here to work and that's something that I appreciate," John said.

John is grateful for the RTW program and Goodwill's hands-on support, and proud to be part of a program that believes in people who are ready to rebuild their lives.

John's story is just one of the more than 5,600 unique success stories, each proving that no matter someone's background or starting point, this program is here for everyone in San Antonio who's ready to rebuild their future.

Dashboard Snapshot

The Progress Continues

For 2026, the program's goal was to reach 5,700 approved job placements by the end of the year. Today, we aren't even halfway through the year, and as you can see by the graph above, the program is about to hit that goal. Needless to say, the hard work by prime partners, employers, and our participants is paying off. 

As nice as it is to see these types of numbers, it's most important to remember that each number represents a person, their family, and their supporters. These are lives that are being changed every single day and for years to come. Now, we continue to ride that momentum for the rest of the year.

Ready to Work - In the News

RTW included in City's Toyota Incentive Offer

This month, the San Antonio Mayor and City Council voted unanimously to approve an incentive agreement offer to Toyota. The company is currently looking to add a $2 billion manufacturing plant that would bring 2,000 jobs, and San Antonio is on the company's short list of possible locations for this investment.

As part of the City's incentive offer, $9 million would be earmarked for workforce development. If Toyota were to accept the incentives and choose to expand in San Antonio, it would pledge to participate and champion the RTW program, develop an apprenticeship or internship program in coordination with the City's Workforce Development Office, and it would commit to interviewing RTW participants.

According to the City's presentation, once a location for the plant is selected, construction would begin by September 2026 and the facility would be operational by mid-2030. Toyota is expected to make a desision on its location this summer.

To read local news coverage of the Council's incentive agreement decision, click the links below.

Apprenticeship Building America (ABA)

Exceeding Workforce Development Goals

The City of San Antonio Workforce Development Office proudly celebrates the success of the Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) Grant and its impact locally as the program approaches its conclusion on June 30, 2026.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Labor, the ABA Grant was awarded under Category 3, with a primary focus on developing and expanding pre-apprenticeship opportunities. The City team worked to bring people and businesses together so more job seekers could get into apprenticeship programs. In addition to strengthening pre-apprenticeship pathways, the program also prioritized the creation and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) across San Antonio and the surrounding 13-county region.

Through strong partnerships with employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and community stakeholders, the ABA Grant significantly exceeded several of its performance goals listed below.

These accomplishments have expanded career pathways for job seekers while helping employers build sustainable talent pipelines in high-demand industries, including construction, healthcare, education, manufacturing, information technology, and public service.

As the grant sunsets on June 30, 2026, the City of San Antonio remains committed to supporting pledged employers interested in developing a Registered Apprenticeship Program are encouraged to contact the City of San Antonio Workforce Development Office for assistance.

Upcoming Events

• July 3 - City of San Antonio Independence Day Holiday observed (City Offices Closed)
• July 4 - Independence Day
• July 21 - San Antonio Ready to Work Advisory Board Meeting
  • 1-3 p.m. @ 1803 Broadway St
• July 22 - Participant Listening Sessions (Invite Only)

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To submit dates for upcoming events consideration, click here.

Portions of this newsletter were generated with the assistance of AI. It was reviewed and edited by staff to ensure accuracy and adherence to City protocols and ethical standards.