DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alex Lopez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Establishing a SA Ready to Work Advisory Board
SUMMARY:
This resolution approves the creation of a Council appointed 9-member San Antonio Ready to Work Advisory Board with two City Council Liaisons appointed by the Mayor that will provide input to the Mayor and City Council on in-demand occupations, workforce training alignment and training targets, and wraparound support.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In July 2020, Mayor Nirenberg appointed a Workforce and Education Leadership Taskforce to reassess community workforce development priorities and identify the most effective strategies beyond the immediate crisis. This taskforce includes leaders from education, workforce development, asset-building, business, economic development, and philanthropy, with Council Members Rebecca Viagran and Adriana Rocha Garcia serving as liaisons. On August 13, 2020, City Council ordered an election to be held on November 3, 2020 to authorize a 1/8th of a cent sales and use tax for a period of four years to provide for the SA Ready to Work initiative, in accordance with Chapter 379A of the Texas Local Government Code. On November 3, voters approved the SA Ready to Work ballot initiative.
During the December 2 City Council “B” Session, City staff provided an overview of the SA Ready to Work program, which provided preliminary details and a timeline for the proposed contractual agreement between the City and the San Antonio Early Childhood Education Municipal Corporation, and a proposed SA Ready to Work Advisory Board that will provide input on demand occupations and the balance between workforce training and degree program from year to year.
ISSUE:
This action will authorize the creation of a City-appointed San Antonio Ready to Work Advisory Board, which will consist of nine members, appointed at-large by the Mayor and City Council. The Advisory Board will include representatives from four local employers from in-demand occupations, two current/previous participants of City of San Antonio workforce programs, one trade and labor organization, one community organization, and one training provider or higher education institution. Additionally, the Board will include two City Council liaisons appointed by the Mayor.
|
Organization |
Recommended Appointments |
|
Local Employers (in-demand occupations) |
4 |
|
Current/previous City Workforce Program Participants |
2 |
|
Trade and Labor Organization |
1 |
|
Community Organization |
1 |
|
Training Provider or Higher Education Institution |
1 |
|
City Council Liaisons (appointed by Mayor) |
2 |
Although this Board is advisory in nature, to prevent actual or perceived conflicts of interest, no appointed members may have direct relationships with entities that contract with the City for implementation of the SA Ready to Work program.
The Advisory Board will meet quarterly and members will serve a two-year term. The board would provide input on the following:
• In-demand occupations eligible for tuition assistance;
• Qualitative input from local employers regarding necessary skill sets and alignment with training programs;
• Annual allotment of workforce certificate vs. college degrees slots
• Levels and quality of wraparound support; and
• Serve as community program ambassadors, promoting resident participation and employer hiring of participants.
Recommendations from the Advisory Board would be reported to City Council semi-annually during the Annual Budget development for the SA Ready to Work Program and during a subsequent mid-year report. Furthermore, this SA Ready to Work Advisory Board will sunset on December 2025, which coincides with conclusion of the sales tax collection approved by voters for this program.
In addition, City staff may convene subject matter expert ad-hoc groups to inform specific SA Ready to Work program elements. In such cases, feedback from these ad-hoc groups will be shared with the SA Ready to Work Advisory Board and the Mayor and City Council.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could recommend to not to proceed with the creation of this SA Ready to Work Advisory Board and maintain these functions directly.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Staff support for this Advisory Board would be provided through the 1/8th cent sales tax dedicated to the SA Ready to Work program.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Economic Development Department recommends the creation of an 9-member City-appointed SA Ready to Work Advisory Board.