DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Alejandra Lopez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Updates on the Workforce Development Pillar within the COVID-19 Community Recovery and Resiliency Plan.
SUMMARY:
This item provides an update on the progress of the Train for Jobs SA program, approved by City Council on June 4, 2020.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Train for Jobs SA program offers workforce training and education to San Antonio residents who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of San Antonio has partnered with Workforce Solutions Alamo, Alamo Colleges, Project Quest, Restore Education, Family Service, Chrysalis Ministries, and SA Works to implement the program. Once admitted, participants receive subsidized tuition and stipends while participating in approved training courses, including high school equivalency preparation, short-term and long-term training. The program also offers wraparound services to participants, including skills and career assessments, childcare, transportation, and emergency funding to remove barriers to completion.
ISSUE:
This briefing will include an update on the implementation of the Train for Jobs SA workforce development program including a breakdown of participant demographics, enrollment, training programs and industries, as well as job placements to date. As of March 2021 it is estimated that 75% of roughly 219,000 area residents that filed for unemployment insurance benefits since March 2020 remain unemployed and may be impacted by changes to benefit levels to take effect in July. As a result of these changes, our Train for Jobs partners anticipate additional interest in the training and stipend support available through this program.
ALTERNATIVES:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This item is for briefing purposes only.
RECOMMENDATION:
This item is for briefing purposes only.