Austin Hires Local

What if the teacher preparing your future workforce had never actually worked in your industry?    Host Samantha Ruiz-Gross, career and education specialist with Workforce Solutions Capital Area, welcomes Elaine Diaz to discuss her unique perspective on bridging industry and education. With 20 years as a licensed electrician and six years teaching electrical and construction principles at Austin I...

How did Austin more than double its nursing graduates in just five years?    Beth Vaughn, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CNML, joins Ashley King to discuss the collaborative efforts transforming healthcare workforce development in Central Texas. As Assistant Vice President of Academic Partnerships for HCA Healthcare's Central and West Texas Division, known locally as St. David's HealthCare, Beth shares her pers...

What made a Crockett High School intern's eyes light up when he discovered construction safety as a career path?    Sarah Garza sits down with Jason Beiter, Vice President and Director of Construction Operations at JE Dunn Construction, one of Austin's top five general contractors. With over two decades of construction experience, Jason serves on the Mobility and Infrastructure Leadership Group co...

What if everything you thought you knew about manufacturing careers was completely outdated?     Host Monica Magallanes welcomes Keri Westland, Chief Administrative Officer at Carr Lane Manufacturing, to discuss how modern manufacturing is creating pathways for Central Texas students. Keri, a third-generation leader who started on the assembly line at 15, now oversees operations for Carr Lane's fa...

In this milestone episode, former CEO Tamara Atkinson sits down with Yael Lawson, Workforce Solutions Capital Area's newly appointed Interim CEO and longtime Chief Operations Officer. With 25 years at the organization—beginning as a program specialist and rising through the ranks—Yael brings deep operational expertise and an unwavering commitment to community-centered workforce development. Her le...

What if a university president told you to call them directly with your workforce needs and they'd build a custom program around it? Host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, checks in with Dr. Kristi Kirk, President and CEO of Concordia University Texas, and the first woman to lead the institution in its nearly 100-year history. Dr. Kirk has over 30 years of higher education...

What does an insurance company have to do with child care and workforce development? At Texas Mutual, the answer is: more than you might expect.     Host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, welcomes Jeanette Ward, President and CEO of Texas Mutual Insurance Company. As chair of Early Matters Greater Austin and recipient of the 2023 Philanthropic Leader award from the Insuranc...

How do romantic moments, regional growth, and emerging tech like AI all intersect at your local bus stop?   In this episode of Austin Hires Local, host Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, sits down with CapMetro President and CEO Dottie Watkins to explore the human side of public transit—from wedding proposals and workforce pipelines to perspectives on autonomous driving and...

What do lunch thieves, soft skills disasters, and a night-shift truck stop cook have to do with Texas' workforce future? Join Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, as she interviews Chairman Bryan Daniel of the Texas Workforce Commission in this revealing conversation about Texas's workforce landscape. Chairman Daniel brings extensive leadership experience from Governor Abbott'...

Today Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, sits down with Travis County Commissioner Jeff Travillion from Precinct One for an inspiring conversation about workforce development and youth opportunity. Commissioner Travillion brings decades of public service experience and a deep commitment to education rooted in his background as a teacher's kid. His focus centers on creating p...

What do time management, mental wellness, and child care have in common? They're among the biggest hurdles facing working adults in Central Texas trying to rise out of poverty—and Capital IDEA is helping them clear the path to high-demand careers.   Tamara Atkinson hosts Alyssia Palacios-Woods, Executive Director of Capital IDEA, on Austin Hires Local. With a background in tennis that earned her a...

What might be possible for Austin’s workforce if every employer saw talent the way the Urban League does?     Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, hosts Quincy Dunlap, President and CEO of the Austin Area Urban League (AAUL), on the Austin Hires Local podcast. Dunlap shares his remarkable journey from working the McDonald's fry station to working in the manufacturing and aviat...

“Make a Living, Making Austin.” That’s the promise behind the new Austin Infrastructure Academy—and it’s answering a big question: How do we connect local talent to the 10,000+ jobs being created each year in one of our region’s fastest-growing sectors?     In another special mini-episode, host Tamara Atkinson explores the untapped potential of this dynamic sector at the inaugural launch of Austin...

In this special mini-episode, host Tamara Atkinson explores Austin's critical workforce challenges and the evolution of the Hire Local Plan. She discusses how addressing the skills gap is essential for sustaining regional economic growth and shares impressive results from the plan's most recent year of implementation, including 16,000+ residents trained in the region’s top industries and significa...

Did you know you could own a home in Austin for $152,000? Discover how Austin Habitat for Humanity is making the impossible possible for Austin's workforce.     Join host Tamara Atkinson and Michele Anderson, CEO of Austin Habitat for Humanity, as they discuss Austin Habitat’s mission to provide affordable housing for the local workforce. Austin Habitat is ramping up efforts to build 75 homes per...

What innovative strategies is TWC Commissioner Joe Esparza using to support veterans and small businesses in the Texas workforce?   Join Tamara Atkinson and the Commissioner, as Joe shares his unique journey from selling perfumes to becoming a significant figure in Texas workforce development, drawing from his experience as a Marine Corps veteran. There are pressing workforce challenges in Texas,...

Why is the Texas Workforce Commission and workforce boards often referred to as one of the state's "best-kept secrets"—a label that suggests they may not be receiving the attention they deserve—and how are they impacting the lives of workers and their families?     Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Texas Workforce Commissioner Alberto Treviño, a seasoned law enforcement veteran...

Originally filmed Oct 24, 2024   How does the "Tool Belt Diva," Melanie Flowers, transform her passion for building into groundbreaking workforce development strategies?     Today on Austin Hires Local, Tamara Atkinson welcomes Melanie Flowers, board member of Workforce Solutions Capital Area and recently-appointed board officer for the National Association of Workforce Boards, to talk about the v...

Host Tamara Atkinson welcomes Commissioner Brigid Shea to share her expertise on critical community issues like affordable childcare and workforce sustainability in Travis County. Brigid sheds light on the real-life challenges parents face with limited childcare access and the impact on employment opportunities. Our conversation unveils county initiatives, including a proposed property tax increas...

How did a childhood knack for solving the Rubik’s Cube springboard Rob Neville into college, and eventually a career in workforce development? Host Tamara Atkinson sits down for an inspirational conversation with Rob, now president and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. His journey, from a young author to a leader in the nonprofit sector, is a deeply personal story, shaped by experiences...

How does child care investment, more transportation options, and a robust mental health network contribute to building a more inclusive and thriving community in Travis County? In this episode, host Tamara Atkinson of Workforce Solutions Capital Area delves into the future of workforce development and child care advocacy in the rapidly growing Austin metro area with Travis County Judge Andy Brown....

In this episode, host Tamara Atkinson of WFS sits down with Stacy Armijo, Chief Experience Officer at Amplify Credit Union. Stacy offers valuable insights into her nontraditional career path from PR to finance and provides advice for those looking to switch industries. You’ll hear about the evolving demands within the banking sector, including the impact of technology and the qualities of ideal jo...

Could improving childcare access, cost, and infrastructure radically change the quality of life in Austin? Join us as we sit down with Vanessa Fuentes, Austin council member for District 2, who shares her firsthand experiences and bold initiatives aimed at addressing issues like childcare accessibility, transportation, and housing affordability. We tackle the critical issue of the 30 ‘childcare de...

We often hear, “People don’t want to work anymore.” Our latest episode of Austin Hires Local shatters this myth. Tamara Atkinson sits down with workforce hero Kevin Brackmeyer, CEO of SkillPoint Alliance, to uncover the inspiring stories behind the push for skilled trades and workforce development. Kevin shares his journey from working in construction to leading a pivotal organization, emphasizing...

Welcome to Austin Hires Local! In this episode, Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area (WFS) interviews Mark Sherry, WFS Board Chair and VP of Human Resources at Baylor Scott & White Health. Listen in as Mark recounts his impactful first job in a college career service office, which led to a memorable experience with Fred Rogers of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, profoundly shaping...