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

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful holiday and a great start to 2024. The Workforce Development Office, in conjunction with our important partners, are already working toward a meaningful and productive year.

San Antonio Ready to Work (RTW), together with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau and the National League of Cities’ Good Jobs, Great Cities initiative, will host a two-day symposium right here in the Alamo City that will cover some of the most pressing issues in the workforce development world right now. The summit, “Putting Equity into Action with San Antonio Ready to Work,” will be held Feb. 20 and 21 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and will address issues like childcare for working moms and families, upskilling and reskilling workers for quality, high-demand jobs, and will take a close look at key industries such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing and infrastructure. These conversations will dive into key areas of focus for our department as we think about how to create a growing and sustainable workforce culture in our city, which are top of mind in everything we do from course selection to every contract we sign.

The equity summit will also emphasize how to support residents who come from historically underserved and underrepresented communities.

One of the high priorities on my list this year is the challenge of finding viable childcare options for our participants. We understand that parents are meeting this real-life need head on, which may pose barriers to enrolling and training in RTW. We want to minimize this as much as possible. The great news is that there are many options to support our participants with wrap-around services. Partnerships with Workforce Solutions Alamo, United Way, and the City’s Department of Human Services and Pre-K 4 SA are offering solutions for RTW participants. Employers might also be able to subsidize childcare costs, which would demonstrate a true commitment to the future workforce in our city.

On that note, RTW continues to engage with our partners, employers and stakeholders to realize the fullest potential possible. At the start of this new year, we think it’s important to look at each of these relationships to maximize the effectiveness of attracting potential applicants, enrolling eligible residents into efficient, quality training programs that they may start on their new career paths as soon as possible. But this work is hard. It’s important to keep in mind that no other city in the country is tackling workforce development at this scale.

I continue to encourage employers to get involved. Pledge to hire qualified graduates of RTW and engage in the improving workforce ecosystem.

Finally, as we prepare to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I am reminded not only of the ways that the late civil rights leader fought for justice in our country and around the world. He also championed for workers’ rights in conjunction with the Civil Rights movement. Just as MLK fought tirelessly for workers, so does RTW in our commitment to help residents obtain jobs that will change their lives and the trajectory of families.

MLK Day is also referred to as a “Day on,” not a day off. This year, we encourage you to bundle up and stay warm as you dedicate a day of service in helping your neighborhood, community, school, food pantry, pet shelter or other need. Make it better than it was before your service.

Let’s make it a great year, San Antonio!

With sincere gratitude,

Mike Ramsey

Pledged Employer Opportunities

If you’re a RTW pledged employers, there are two opportunities for you to take advantage of.

• RTW Incumbent Worker Training Pilot (IWT)
• On-the-Job Training Pilot (OJT)

The IWT Pilot application period closes Feb. 1, 2024 at 5 p.m. There is a maximum amount of $100,000 grant per company with funding awards not to exceed $5,000 per Incumbent Worker trained during the award period. The goal is to upskill employees to ensure retention and advancement within the company. IWT Pilot expands RTW training options to include proprietary training offered by RTW pledged employers. Note: Awardees will enter into a grant funding agreement with the City of San Antonio’s Workforce Development Office.

OJT applications are due Feb. 1, 2024 at 6 p.m. Awardees will be notified by Feb. 16. The maximum dollar amount to be awarded is $150,000 per company; the maximum benefit to small businesses with 75% wage reimbursement up to $10,000 per trainee. All other businesses will be eligible to receive 50% wage reimbursements during the OJT period. The City will reimburse wage expenses for a new employee paid a minimum of $18 per hour for a maximum of one year and not exceeding $10,000 per new employee. Exceptions may be made for USDOL Registered Apprenticeship Programs. The focus of this program is to provide reimbursement to businesses for costs associated with skills upgrading and loss of production during the training of newly hired employees. The OJT program can help businesses expand by training additional staff with specialized skills. OJT awardees will enter into a funding agreement with the City of San Antonio’s Workforce Development Office. Questions may be directed to Ana Salazar: ana.salazar@sanantonio.gov, or Joshua Scott: Joshua.scott@sanantonio.gov.

Partner Highlight – YWCA’s long history of empowering women in an underserved community

This month, RTW is highlighting YWCA, which is part of the Workforce Solutions Alamo Consortium of RTW partners. YWCA serves as a subcontractor, along with a host of other organizations who are doing much-needed work throughout the San Antonio community.

YWCA has been serving the local community for more than 100 years, with the mission to eliminate racism and empower women. What’s unique about YWCA is its service delivery that focuses on equity and compassionate services. The goal is to remove barriers for women to break the cycle of poverty and to become self-sufficient.

“Workforce development represents a critical component of financial independence,” said Angelica Cervantes, chief operating officer at San Antonio’s YWCA. “YWCA delivers Ready to Work services to some of the most vulnerable populations in our community, particularly women of color. We utilize our community health workers in our outreach efforts to ensure that we are reaching individuals who may have limited access to services.”

Cervantes believes that RTW’s innovative spirit is helping strengthen collaborations with various partners, including YWCA. She says ensuring that people are getting connected to the right services that make sense to them and their specific needs is the most important, especially when participants are exploring new workforce training pathways which can sometimes feel daunting.

Cervantes knows that this work is not easy. 

“We are both doing hard things!” she said. “Transforming lives and creating bridges for opportunities is no easy feat. Engaging in strategic collaboration is essential to ensure we are meeting the true needs of our community through a racial and gender equity lens.”

Asked about advice she has for employers looking to hire RTW graduates, Cervantes believes that employers might be able to get more out of the program by identifying the needs they face – the positions that are available and the skills required for those jobs. She also says that employers should get to know the organizations that provide wraparound services like YWCA. 

“We encourage employers to be patient and compassionate,” she said. “Many of the trainees are truly trying to thrive and they want opportunities for higher wages that result in bridges to new opportunities.”

As for participants, Cervantes says, “You are not alone.” There are many others going through the process, and it can feel scary and overwhelming. But with the help of organizations like YWCA and others, you will be able to take the journey toward a better-quality, higher-paying job. Don’t be afraid! 

“People believe in your because you are worthy of new opportunities and deserve the best quality of life,” Cervantes said.

Employer Highlight – The City of San Antonio leads the way in the number of hired RTW graduates

The City of San Antonio is a proud RTW pledged employer and is happy to report that it is leading by example, having hired the greatest number of RTW graduates to date.

The City of San Antonio is comprised of 40 departments, ranging from Finance and Human Resources to Information Technology, Development Services and Workforce Development (which runs the RTW program)! Like any other employer, the City has faced challenges when it comes to the labor market. But because the City is a pledged employer and has committed to hiring qualified graduates in the program’s target industries, career-ready residents of San Antonio are finding quality jobs that live up to the RTW promise of improving the lives of its graduates.

Renee Frieda, Human Resources Director for the City of San Antonio, says the City’s CORE Values of Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation and Professionalism have played a significant role in recruiting and hiring quality employees.

“The City’s HR team appreciates the support that advance Ready to Work participants’ technical and interpersonal skills,” Frieda said. “For employers on the fence about signing the pledge, participating in and supporting Ready to Work can only help to expand and to strengthen your recruitment efforts. Many employers across our city need talent to fill their vacancies, and Ready to Work provides a direct line to those who are literally ready to work.”

The City is constantly seeking ways to reach qualified employees. RTW bridges the gap between important jobs and a talent pool seeking a good quality, higher-paying jobs.

To date, 389 employers have committed to hiring qualified RTW graduates! Employers are vital to the program, and they will guide the desired training and education of participants to help improve our local economy. Active and engaged businesses receive short- and long-term benefits, such as:

• Access to expanding talent pipeline
• City-funded training and educational benefits for eligible employees
• Input on approved training catalog
• Enhanced network of workforce agencies, community resources and local training providers
• Increased contracting and subcontracting opportunities
• Workplace diversity
• Economic development for San Antonio

Encourage business leaders in your network to take the RTW Employer Pledge today! Visit ReadytoWorkSA.com for more information.

Participant Highlight - Jahaziel Baez joins the City of San Antonio in the Finance Department!

Jahaziel Baez is a recent RTW graduate who is finding his new work home at the City of San Antonio’s Finance Department.

Before starting on his path through RTW, the District 4 resident was a student at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. He had always been driven to continue his educational journey, and so he worked side jobs in order to help pay for school.

Coincidentally, his father was looking for information on going back to school for his own associate’s degree, and he ran across information for RTW. He quickly told his son about the program and its many ways of helping students realize their dreams. Baez enrolled, found his RTW contact, John Livas, at TAMUSA, and the rest is history.

“Livas made my whole process with RTW so easy,” Baez said. “He always kept me informed on new events for jobs or just checking in with me. He always made himself available to me as a resource. I am very grateful to him for my overall experience with RTW.”

Baez says he had already been pursuing a business administration path before joining RTW. He learned that there are a vast number of career options available through business administration, so it was an easy choice to stick with it.

“I enjoy talking with people and helping them achieve their goals,” Baez said. “I am driven by success and achieving goals, so business was an easy choice for that.”

Baez says RTW helped him focus on school and even assisted with classes and books.

“It relieved that extra pressure of trying to figure out my work schedule and school schedule, and it allowed me to focus all my time and energy to achieve that bachelor’s degree,” Baez said.

After his program, Baez said the process of applying for jobs was a lengthy one. But with the help of his career coach, he decided to pursue a career with the City. Baez figured that since the City put its faith in RTW, it would be a natural choice to want to work there.

“I went on their website and saw they had many job openings and were urgently hiring,” he said. “So, I sent out applications to every position that I felt I could fit in. So far, I’m still getting settled in with my position, but it’s proving to be a very intricate position with a lot of responsibility. I handle licenses and permits for the entire City of San Antonio. A lot of citizens are relying on me to do my job efficiently in order for them to run their businesses well.”

Baez is so happy he chose RTW to help him complete his degree and get started in a promising new career.

“RTW is an amazing program that helps people turn that dream of pursuing a higher education into a reality,” he said.

San Antonio Snapshots

Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, District 4, and volunteers from RTW partner agencies, including Alamo Colleges (pictured) laced up their shoes in December and headed out to block walk in several communities near Palo Alto College (PAC). RTW, in conjunction with PAC, hosted an information session and a block walking event to let people know about RTW.

Volunteers say it’s a great opportunity to talk face-to-face with residents to answer questions, to inform them of how to get started and to make personal connections. Stay tuned – there are more block walking opportunities to come!

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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