Austin, Texas – Workforce Solutions Capital Area announced that Texas Mutual Insurance Company and Google.org have made significant contributions to support the design of the Austin Infrastructure Academy. The contributions, $125,000 from Texas Mutual and $100,000 from Google.org, will fund the program design that will guide strategic direction for the Academy to meet its goal of connecting more local job seekers to career pathways in construction and operations.
The Academy will serve as a central hub that will integrate recruitment, comprehensive and unified training, and wraparound service support for job seekers in Austin’s growing mobility and infrastructure industry.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Texas Mutual and Google for contributing to the creation of this one-of-a-kind Academy for our community that will equip our workforce with the skills and education needed to secure quality careers in mobility and infrastructure,” Tamara Atkinson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Capital Area, said. “Austin’s infrastructure workforce employs over 222,000 residents and is expected to grow by more than 80% by 2040, so the Academy is a critical component to help prepare the current and future infrastructure workforce to meet this high demand.”
The financial contributions made by large local employers Texas Mutual, which provides workers’ compensation insurance and is headquartered in Austin, and Google.org, which has several Austin-area offices employing local staff, will fund the creation of a strategic plan for the Academy. This includes establishing the budget forecast for the first five years, supporting the organizational capacity of Workforce Solutions Capital Area to serve as the hub and administrator of the Academy, developing the first two years of operation plans for the Academy's programs. Additionally, it supports hiring initial program staff.
"At Texas Mutual, we strongly believe in investing in the workforce of tomorrow,” Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual said. “The Austin Infrastructure Academy represents a unique opportunity to empower individuals with the skills and support they need to build meaningful careers while contributing to the growth and vitality of our region. By collaborating with great partners we can create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the construction site; we look forward to seeing its transformative effect on countless Austinites."
On March 7th 2024 ,the Austin City Council passed a resolution brought forth by Mayor Kirk Watson approving establishment funding supporting workforce development through launching this academy .Since then ,Austin Community College has announced its contribution towards creating physical location Southeast Travis County campus .
"Google is committed supporting initiatives driving economic growth creating opportunities local communities," Jim Anderson vice president North America Partner Ecosystem Channels Google Cloud Google's site lead "The Austin Infrastructure Academy pivotal role equipping job seekers skills needed successful careers mobility infrastructure sectors .Investing education workforce development helps build stronger resilient future residents."
For more information about Austin Infrastructure Academy please visit www.wfscapitalarea.com/about/industry-sector-partnerships/mobility-infrastructure/academy/.
About Workforce Solutions Capital Area
Workforce Solutions Capital Area is non-profit organization serving leadership governing body planning oversight evaluation activities area system .Learn more WFSCapitalArea.com follow Facebook LinkedIn Instagram X YouTube.
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